And SOMEDAY I will comfortable be able to spell Mediterranean!
This site covers Med and Asian cuisines, and offers recipes and a 7 day plan, etc. It's free and looks interesting:
http://www.mediterrasian.com/

Anyone seen any other good sites, especially those that offer meal plans?

Epicurious doesn't have meal plans, but they have delicious recipes. I did a search on mediterranean recipes and came up with these.

I, too, am seeking Mediterranean-diet meal plans. Here are some links with meal plans:

http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodho...640736,00.html
http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodho...543634,00.html

From eDiets.com:
Day 1
Breakfast – Olive-oil toast and yogurt with blueberries and almonds.
Afternoon Snack -- Mozzarella and tomato salad with toast.
Lunch -- Fiery meatballs spaghetti, honey-Dijon zucchini and cantaloupe.
Dinner -- Tuna steak with salsa, brown rice, asparagus salad and berries

Day 2
Breakfast -- Peppers and eggs with vegetarian bacon, Triscuits and berries.
Afternoon Snack -- Swiss cheese and tomatoes on toast with strawberries.
Lunch -- Teriyaki salmon with baked sweet potato, balsamic green beans and fruit.
Dinner -- Peppered tenderloin with Puttanesca sauce served over rice and herb tomatoes.

Another related/interesting article: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=50738

I think I'm going to break down and buy a book!

Thanks for the info ladies ...I was wondering how this WOE was different from Sugar Busters and South beach, it looks close but different for sure I will have to do more research on this one, it looks delicious!

I just ordered the book and am wondering how those of you who are on this plan like it? It looks like it's all the things I love to eat, except Chocolate of course.
thanks for any comments

I really like it! It's nice because it's not a "diet" but more of a style. I've lost weight on it (about 10 pounds last month), and I don't follow it perfectly or religiously. Basically, all I had to do to change my diet is substitute olive oil for butter, and make restaurant/meal choices that lean towards seafood, tofu, vegetarian options and chicken.

The hardest part for me is not having EXACT portions or exchanges to follow, but that is also kind of nice. I think the idea is to teach your body to listen to what it needs, and that is probably a good habit for me to get into.

I haven't purchased any books yet. I've found a lot of resources on the internet that have been helpful thus far, and I'm thinking I'll add some of those books to my holiday "wish list".

Because of a schedule change, I haven't been able to do much exercise, but that is an important element as well. I plan to re-incorporate exercise when my schedule settles down.

Has anyone read much of the French Diet info. I have The Fat Fallacy by Will Cower and have lost 5 lbs so far eating fabulous food. Very similar to Med diet, although more dairy. With only 8% of the French over weight...they must be doing something right!

I hear ya there, seems like they have known something we didnt all along
I havent read up on that diet, but seems to me that eating less refined foods and real food is the smartest way to do it

I read French Women Don't Get Fat, and I thought it was excellent. There were a few things I disagreed with (or found impractical), but for the most part it offered very good advice. I agree, it did seem to have some similarities to the Mediterranean diet.

You might also want to consider the percentage of the French population who smoke. Catherine Deneuve was quoted somewhere saying that she much prefered smoking to gaining a few pounds.

Mel

However, I know several smokers who are also obese (here in the US). So tobacco does not make a person thin.

Nope, it doesn't make you thin; however nicotine does supress appetite and raise metabolism.

Wow I have learned so much from all of you. Thanks for the "health" of information...

This is a great site.. I also believe in the Mediterrasian lifestyle. This site is choc full of information and guidance. However, I was disappointed with the 7 day menu snapshot . Their suggestions just don't seem to be an optimum picture of this lifestyle. I mean classic soy hot dogs on a bun? Spare me....

Thanks for posting the link.