Low Fat

What could a famous German fashion designer know about diet and fitness? Apparently enough to write his own manual to weight loss. After years of struggling with obesity, Karl Lagerfeld turned to physician Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret, and the two men devised the "Spoonlight Program" that help the Chanel designer drop 80 pounds in one year.

In the diet rat race, it's hard to please all of the people all of the time. There's always some expert who can find something "wrong" with whatever diet happens to be on top. However, one plan that has managed to get by unscathed is the renowned Mediterranean Diet that has received laurels from doctors, nutritionists and researchers alike over the last few years.

The Mediterranean Diet is hardly a new concept, having been around for more than 1,000 years. Studies show that people who follow the healthy eating plan live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. A recent study also showed that people suffering from metabolic syndrome who followed the Mediterranean Diet lost more weight than their counterparts on a low-fat diet. Another group of dieters lost the same amount of pounds as subjects on a low-fat diet. However, those following the Mediterranean Diet maintained their loss more effectively.

There are at least 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea that have a diet made up of similar characteristics. While the specific diet may vary from country to country, the basic principles are the same. Consume large amounts of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds. Use olive oil as a source of monounsaturated fat. Eat dairy, fish and poultry in low to moderate amounts. Intake of red meat and eggs should be limited. Wine should be consumed in low to moderate amounts. The antioxidants and essential fats found in these foods contribute to better health.