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Researchers have shown that pregnant women can dramatically impact upon the health of their unborn children by determining what sorts of foods they eat while expecting. Expectant mothers who eat a diet rich in high quality and traditional Mediterranean diet were shown to provide their unborn children with a natural remedy for asthma and allergies.

The Mediterranean Diet study was conducted on pregnant women who lived in Menorca, a Spanish island. Researchers from the University of Crete monitored what sort of Mediterranean foods the women ate, and scored them correspondingly.

The mothers who fell into to the high quality Mediterranean diet group were eating at least 3 serves of fish per week, 8 serves of vegetables weekly, 1 serve of legumes, as well as olive oil, whole grains, nuts and seeds. These were the women who demonstrated in the Mediterranean Diet research to have provided their children with significant protection against childhood asthma and allergies. On the flip side, the women who ate more than 3-4 serves of red meat each week actually increased the risks of their children having asthma and allergies.

The children were monitored annually until they reached the age of 6.5 years. These children were also skin tested at the end of the study, which began in 1997, for 6 common respiratory allergens. Researchers also concluded that the diets of the children once born had much less of a protective benefit than the insurance provided by their pregnant mothers’ diets.

What is the Mediterranean Diet? This diet is so called as it is based on a pattern of eating followed by various regional folk who live around the Mediterranean. Typically, Mediterranean cuisine comprises of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, red wine, and olive oil. Fish is eaten moderately, and red meat is rarely eaten. Dairy products such as eggs, milk, cheeses, yogurts, and poultry are eaten in lesser amounts.

Researchers also discovered that the eating habits of the pregnant mothers played a much more significant role for the prevention of these health issues, than what the children ate themselves. (The children’s diet played no part in the protection from asthma and allergies). The researchers concluded that the Mediterranean diet pregnancy success was linked to the high content of both antioxidants and omegas in the Mediterranean foods. Antioxidants help maintain healthy tissues, and omegas are powerful anti inflammatories.

Please note that drinking alcohol while pregnant is not recommended by medical authorities. No mention was made in the study of alcoholic intake for the pregnant women. A responsible conclusion would be that they were not consuming alcohol.

Conclusion - Following a quality Mediterranean Diet in pregnancy has been shown to significantly reduce the incidences of both allergies and asthma in the children of these mothers. Maximum protectives benefits were found in the expectant women who close followed a traditional Mediterranean diet and ate at least 3 serves of fish weekly, 8 serves of vegetables weekly, and at least 1 serve of legumes.

This weight loss plan teaches dieters to adopt the eating habits of the people in and around the Mediterranean Sea. The people in this region are clean and beautiful and to achieve the same look try this plan.

The Mediterranean diet is based on the thought that eating food is more than just munching and crunching. The total experience of food involves taking time to prepare the meal and taking time to eat it as well. Food that is eaten slowly is enjoyed more than gobbling it down.

There are no restrictions on this diet. The plan emphasizes that high calorie and fried foods are to be avoided. Other than that, the choices are pretty wide open. As long as portion control is heeded, most foods are not bad for you.

Good news, the Mediterranean diet allows eat bread, especially pita bread. Peter comes in many varieties including whole-wheat which makes a healthy choice. The bread is light and is a great complement to any meal. You can eat it as an appetizer, for example, dip a pita bread Square in a bit of olive oil and herbs to add flavor to any meal.

While on the Mediterranean diet, participants get to eat fruits, veggies, low calorie pasta, cheeses and yogurt. Vegetables are sauted in olive oil for a lighter taste. Whole wheat pasta is an alternative to those made with white flour.

In the Mediterranean region, people get most of the protein from plant sources, but red meat is eaten as well. The most commonly eaten protein is usually fish and other seafood. plant proteins are lower in cholesterol and fat, which improves the overall health of the Mediterranean people and you when you follow this diet.

This diet plan focuses on the enjoyment of food. While exercise is not stressed in my opinion it’s an essential part of any weight loss plan. If you follow this diet you will lose weight but if you add an exercise component your results will improve drastically. You start with 30 minutes of activity three days a week in increased to more as you feel more comfortable. And please visit our site for free exercise tips and diet plans.

The Mediterranean diet teaches you that eating several small meals a day is much better than eating three large ones. Participants can enjoy a great variety of foods and not feel deprived. You will eat like you’re vacationing in southern Spain when the Greek islands and lose weight simultaneously.

When you visit our site now you’ll learn more great facts about the Mediterranean diet, nutrition and exercise tips. When you visit today and sign up for our free newsletter will send you a free gift! Click on the links now!