Mediterranean Diet and Weight Loss: How Macros Make it Personal

The Mediterranean Diet is famous for its health benefits, including heart health, brain health, and longevity. Health is the reason many people start a Mediterranean way of living. Some people also naturally slim down as a result of eating whole foods that the Mediterranean Diet recommends. 

But here's the thing. The Mediterranean Diet is incredibly healthy. But not everyone automatically loses weight just by switching to a Mediterranean style of eating. If you've ever wondered why, you are not alone.

The missing piece: macros. 

What are macros? 

"Macros" is short for macronutrients. Every food you eat is made up of a combination of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. You are already eating macros. Meaning, you are already eating food! You just may not know what ratio of fats to carbs to protein you are eating. 

Here's a bit about each category:

Protein --> builds muscle, keeps your feeling food. Many people think of meat when they think of protein. Yes, meat has protein. But many plant-based foods have protein too. Think: lentils, beans, and greek yogurt (all plant-based), as well as fish, seafood, eggs, and chicken

Carbohydrates --> important for energy for your body and your brain. The key from a Mediterranean Diet perspective is to choose the right kinds of carbs. Think: whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and whole grain pastas. 

Fats --> essentail for hormone health, energy, and satisfaction. Think: olive oil, nuts, avocado, cheese 

When you get the balance of macros in your meals right, it is so much easier to:

Lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived. 

Maintain steady energy. 

Stay satisfied and consistent. 

Why the Mediterranean Diet + Macros Works So Well 

A Mediterranean Lifestyle already provides the best foods for your health. Adding macros does NOT change what you eat (or, it does not have to change it!). Instead, it helps you personalize how much of each food you eat for your goals. 

Think of it like this: 

Mediterranean Diet = the healthiest ingredients

Macros = your personalized plan 

Think of macros as the science and Mediterranean as the style. 

Together, these two make a powerful approach to amazing health and sustainable (delicious!) weight loss. 

Common Questions:

Do I have to give up pasta or bread? Nope! The Mediterranean Diet embraces whole grain pasta and bread. We know that carbs like grains are important to energy and overall health, so cutting them out entirely is often a bad strategy for most people. Instead, tracking macros can help you eat pasta and bread (every day or every meal if you want) and still lose weight. 

Is this just another restrictive diet? No way. Restrictive diets are rarely the answer to long-term health or weight goals because they are so hard to maintain. They can also leave you deficient in vitamins or nutrients. Avoid super restrictive diets! Instead, use macros as a tool to tailor your meals exactly how you like them. You get to choose what to eat. 

What if I have dietary restrictions, like I'm gluten-free or allergic to seafood? Macros are a great option for you because they are tailored to you. You choose what to eat within your macro ratios. The Mediterranean Diet is already a super flexible way of eating. Macros maintain that flexibility by letting you choose what to eat. 

How Do I Put These Two Strategies Together?

The Mediterranean Diet is an incredible foundation for sustained, long-term health. If your goal is also to lose weight, pairing it with macros can give you the clarity that you've been missing! 

Macros help you eat the right balance of nutrients for your body, and the Mediterranean Diet provides the healthiest, most delicious foods to fill those macros. 

That's why we are so excited to partner with macro expert Emily. She specializes in helping women learn how to use macros in a simple, doable way. Not another diet. Now another thing to quit in 30 days. Just an easy tool to help you personalize Mediterranean eating—so you feel better, see results, and actually enjoy the process! 

Learn about the fall program HERE. Check it out today-- the program starts September 1! 

(And, use code MM5 for 5% off!)