Mediterranean diet is often touted as super healthy, is it really? #keto #drberg #mediterraneandiet

Mediterranean Diet is plant based compared to the SAD diet 😂😂😂, or North European diets.
Plant based doesn't always mean you don't eat meat!! Plant based can simply mean you eat a large portion of vegetables and a smaller portion of meat.
Yeah, so I am Northern European, when I visit Southern Europe they are definitely way more plant based than Northern Europeans, for sure.
We are scared of suspicious of lettuce in the North 😂.

You are confused about two terms:
Plant Based: the Base of their diet is made up of plants, and can eat a smaller portion of animal products.
Vegan: Excludes all animal products.

Mediterranean, Blue Zone, Hunza, Pakistan, Tsimané Tribe, Bolivia Diets are best ones.

Nobody said it’s plant based… everyone says it’s majority plant based with small amounts of meat and dairy. Not that hard to understand.

I've never thought it was a plant based diet plan!

Yeah cuz it’s a diet you don’t just eat everything with meat in it and expect it to be super healthy

When they say "reduces risk of heart attack", I still do not trust what that even means.
Are there less heart attacks as a result ?
Compared to what ?
Says who, and why ?
After being lied to, and suffering so much condescending arrogance, from mainstream doctors, I no longer believe most of what they tell me.

No one said its a plant based diet but it contains mostly of fresh plants legumes,beans, greens and olive oil and avocado with meat,fish and chiken. Mostly greens with some meat. They are not eating alot meat but as a condiment with lots of greens and plants and oliveoil

You should show us what real foids they ate in the Mediterranean so I can start eating it 🙏 please

Yes absolutely true…..buuuut if you are looking at a Mediterranean diet then odds are your looking for healthy diet. Eat the plant based fish, bird diet. Even though its not a true Mediterranean diet its a great healthy lifestyle

Thank you for letting me know I didn't know what exactly was I was thinking it was all vegetable

DrBerg

Please produce a full length video of what a true Mediterranean diet is the next time you travel there, with examples of village meals and restaurant menus.

Dr.Berg I had a Fibro Scan that showed that I have severe fatty liver,my mother had this and it turned to cirrhosis now they say that there is nothing they can do for her because of her age. They are telling me to go on this mediterranean diet. Do you have any advice for severe fatty liver? I fast pretty well, except I get tempted at night and want something sweet. Can you help me ?

We, the people of North Africa, eat vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, olive oil, nuts, and green tea.

Many animals are harmed in growing plant based food.

It’s called well balanced. They eat more plants than meats tho so it’s technically not wrong calling it a plant based diet. It’s not exclusively plant based is what u mean to say.

I'd probably be shocked if ANYONE suggested mediterranean diet is plant based but looking at the comments, apparently there are people who think that

Way too much flour, bread, stuff we don’t need. It’s high glycemic carbs!! Noooo?

This dummy doesn’t understand food pyramids

Hey bozo, ask yourself what is your purpose on YouTube. Clicks or scientific advice to people that are trying to lose weight. Make up your mind, dude.

There seems to be confusion with Mediterranean diet and the lifestyles that Mediterranean people have.The "Mediterranean diet" is a specific diet based on eating patterns from the 1960s in pockets of the Mediterranean. It is not the traditional Mediterranean diet like when we think of dishes such as Mousakka which has beef. I hate the name Mediterranean diet because people get confused.

Good. I like pork

Just dont say it's meat based because that's dangerous misinformation. I think your wording of this video is dangerous and implies meat based and thats an extremely bad way to eat, it's a scientific consensus.

spoken like a man that doesnt bench 225. I’ll enjoy my protein

Also those countries have foods that aren’t full of pesticides etc

don't listen to dumb usa who poisons their citizens with fake food and fake sugar lmao

I do Mediterranean diet in the US (raised Greek family) and it has never been plant based for me. Sure I eat a ton of fruits and vegetables, but eat eggs, chicken and a little parmesan made in Italy as well. Also only drink red wine I buy at Costco that is made in Spain or Italy. Costco is also awesome for decent priced organics. They have an awesome pasta from Italy that is organic and made there with their 100% semolina flour. 65, no meds, stay away from doctors except as friends (I work in the medical field as an RRT). I also visited Crete for an extended time and found most people ate like I just described. Interesting video! Thanks for all of the great stuff you do!

The Mediterranean lifestyle weaves natural movement into daily life through walking, gardening, chores, and errands—physical activity that’s habitual rather than forced. Relaxation is also built in, with afternoon rests, time by the sea, neighborly visits, and quiet moments with tea or coffee. Life unfolds at a slower, more balanced pace, prioritizing connection and enjoyment over constant productivity. While not free from modern stress, this cultural rhythm fosters physical and emotional well-being. Research shows that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by up to 30%, reduce chronic inflammation, and support gut and brain health through high fiber and omega-3 intake. They’re also linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, greater longevity, and better quality of life—especially in older adults. Strong social ties, consistent movement, and restful routines help regulate the nervous system and reduce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.

Combining the Mediterranean and Japanese diets creates a powerful, nutrient-rich approach to eating that supports both physical and mental well-being. Together, they provide heart-healthy fats, omega-3s, antioxidants, fiber, and fermented foods—key elements that reduce inflammation, support brain and gut health, and help prevent chronic diseases. This balanced fusion promotes vitality, longevity, and a deeply nourishing way of life.

You should check out Neal Barnard’s study comparing Mediterranean diet to plant based diet (spoiler: the plant based diet won)

They probably have better meat regulations over there.

Exactly is not a plant based diet, is a complete diet!
We eat everything:
Sea food
Meat
Vegetables
Different grains
Fruits
Nuts
Cheese
Milk
Herbs
A lot of olive oil
Olives
This is a healthy diet!

So true. The blue zone guy sells that and knowing a few Sardinians, they eat meat!

Good, I wasn’t looking for a plant based diet. I wouldn’t do a plant based diet

What Is the Mediterranean Diet – Really?

"Yes, they do pasta". Eh, no.
"Ive been over to those contries…"

Omg who is this dude? 😂

The Mediterranean diet is not the same as “eating like people do in Mediterranean countries today.” It's easy to assume it’s about pizza, pasta, or other romanticized vacation foods from Italy or Greece – but that’s not the case. The real Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional food that people in the region used to eat, before Western eating habits like fast food, sweets, and soft drinks became widespread.

The original Mediterranean diet consisted mainly of vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, olive oil as the primary fat source, and moderate amounts of fish, dairy, and wine. Meat and sugar were rarely consumed. It was a simple, nutrient-rich, and natural way of eating that helped protect against heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Ironically, only a minority – around 10% – of Italians today still follow this traditional model. Instead, fast food, processed foods, and sugar have become staples in everyday life. The effects are visible: Italian children, who just a generation ago were among the slimmest and healthiest in Europe, are now nearly as overweight as American children.

Another major shift is the increase in meat consumption. Today, people across much of the world eat significantly more meat than before – and this includes Mediterranean countries. Meat has gone from being an occasional treat to an everyday food, which runs counter to the principles of the traditional Mediterranean diet.

So it's not about where you live – it’s about what you actually eat. As doctor and author Michael Mosley points out, more people in Scandinavia today follow the Mediterranean diet principles than in Southern Europe, thanks to greater health awareness and intentional dietary choices.

One of the strongest pieces of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet is the PREDIMED study, published in 2013. This Spanish study followed over 7,400 overweight men and women at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were divided into three groups: one followed a Mediterranean diet with extra olive oil, another with extra nuts, and a third followed a traditional low-fat diet.

The results were clear: those who ate the Mediterranean diet reduced their risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease) by up to 30% compared to the control group. This was achieved without counting calories or requiring weight loss.

The Mediterranean diet is a concept first proposed in 1975 by American biologist Ancel Keys and chemist Margaret Keys. The diet took inspiration from the eating habits and traditional food of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy as observed in the early 1960s.

In summary: the Mediterranean diet isn’t about where you live or what you ate on holiday – it’s about making food choices that support long-term health, and returning to traditional habits that actually worked.

I haven't seen it described as plant based

If they DO eat meat it's usually poultry or seafood from what I understand. Dairy is not a problem if you're eating the right dairy like Greek yogurt.

Ok so I’m getting ready to switch from keto to Mediterranean. I’m finding it difficult to stay in ketosis and I miss fruits and beans and rice. I don’t plan on eating pasta, and I’m going to try to find a good sourdough bread. I’m scared to death that I’m going to gain all my weight back after adding back the carbs.

Spaniard here, we consume plenty of pork, seafood, poultry, lamb and beef.

And Paleo is meat so who cares.

The diet of the Mediterranean is not the same as the Mediterranean diet.

Someone seriously needs to fix this confusion.

my doctor and another doctor I personally know have said its the best diet. This is one of the times I disagree with Dr. Berg. We have chicken/fish 2 days/week. fruits or vegetables or grains every meal. red meat/desert once/week. dairy 3 days/week. Yes, you can do completely vegan but the proteins are healthy and minimal.