I don't know if this is where I post this but I have an important question. I've been on the web doing searches for Mediterranean Diet reviews & there is nothing stated about weight loss. I've been on South Beach, but I miss my carbs. I have low blood sugar, but I wonder will the Med Diet hurt or help me? How much weight did everyone lose on this?

The Mediterranean Diet can be used for weight loss, or it can be used as a lifestyle. I like that there are no forbidden foods on a diet plan like this. You can have a mixture of whole and refined grains. You can eat fruits, potatoes, and other foods that some other diet plans don't permit. The key is portion control. The people that live in the Mediterranean regions are much healthier because they eat more natural foods and fewer processed foods that contain chemicals and mystery products. They use good fats such as olive oil, and even butter (no trans fats in real butter). They also practice portion control, but it is natural to them. Americans, in general, just eat too much! That is what we have to learn to get away from. For many people, weight is less about what we eat, than how much we eat.

Most of the websites devoted to the Med Diet don't focus on it as a way to lose weight, but as a way to regain health, and especially to protect our hearts. It's a healthier way to live. However, there is a book called The Mediterranean Diet - Newly Revised and Updated by Marissa Cloutier and Eve Adamson that does have an emphasis on weight loss. It's a paperpack book for $6.99 that you should be able to pick up at any bookstore. It discusses various foods you should look for, and even includes a few sample menus and recipes. Most of the books on the Med diet don't offer menus, so you need to base it around your own needs.

If you want to lose weight, decide how many calories you want to consume, then plan your Mediterranean menu around that. In the end, it's the calories that count for weight loss. Oh, and there is also an emphasis on exercise You are in complete control, and can choose the foods you enjoy. It takes a little planning, but you learn more that way.

I've followed South Beach in the past, and I did think it was a healthy way to eat. However, I'm like you, and I do like my carbs! I lost the bulk of my weight on a very high carb diet which was calorie controlled, along with a lot of exercise. It was easy for me to stick to because I enjoyed it.

I don't follow the Mediterranean diet strictly, but I definitely enjoy the Mediterranean influence in my diet It's been fun to explore new flavors. I'm pretty sure the Med region consists of 16 countries. I've learned that I don't care for Middle Eastern flavors, but prefer Italian food. We often think of pasta and pizza, but good Italian food is all about fresh vegetables, seafood, and other delicious and healthy meals.

I haven't put my heart 100% into it yet but I am changing over from WW to Atkins to everything else under the sun, to what I feel would work best for me and that is a Mediterranean style diet.

I am making slow changes in what I am eating and I do feel it is helping.

India, LindaT who also posts here has lost 80 lbs following a Mediterranean diet. She is a big influance as to why I am choosing this as well.