There’s a lot to be said about the Mediterranean diet: it’s frequently touted for its health benefits, easy to follow long-term, and sustainable for the environment. At The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, our Mediterranean restaurant franchise offers a menu that features easy, healthy choices that align with the guidelines of the famous Mediterranean diet.
As the pandemic continued to change shape last year, it’s not a surprise that COVID-19 remained the top health concern for consumers, who aimed to reduce their related risk factors. There has been a decided shift toward healthy eating as more consumers turn to healthier food available at restaurants like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
So what is a Mediterranean diet? This traditional way of eating around the Mediterranean emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while cutting back on dairy and meat.
1. General guidelines do not equal a free for all.
People love the Mediterranean diet because it’s not as restrictive as other diets. But, just because it’s more flexible, doesn’t mean that everything is allowed. Eating plans for the diet are based on traditional eating patterns from Greece and Southern Italy.
2. Extra virgin olive oil is your main source of fat.
When some people read about the Mediterranean diet, they may think it’s a low-fat diet due its dietary restrictions surrounding meats and cheeses. However, this is not the case. There is plenty of olive oil included in the Mediterranean diet to make it palatable and help you maintain healthy weight loss.
3. Vegetables are center plate.
The Mediterranean diet involves vegetable-only dishes as main courses. Some people are surprised to find out that meat, chicken, and fish are utilized sparingly. Additionally, vegetable dishes are not intended to be merely garnishes over rice or pasta; if you need a carbohydrate, consider a bit of bread.
4. Dishes are based on simplicity.
While some dishes are complex and require expansive prep and long cooking times, most of the vegetable dishes on the Mediterranean diet are valued for having minimal prep, average cooking time, and plenty of leftovers.
5. Fish is optimal at twice a week.
Some associate the Mediterranean diet with consuming vast amounts of fish. This is a common misconception of the diet’s principles, and it can turn some people off. Fresh fish can be hard to find in some areas, so canned or other preserved fish is a great way to supplement fatty fish intake, and part of why it’s featured only rarely.
6. Inspiration comes from history, not from a lab.
The Mediterranean diet is naturally occurring. This way of eating has been developed over centuries, based on the circumstances of life and ingredient availability over time, and it’s been codified as “the Mediterranean diet” for the past 50 years.
7. Yes, you can enjoy sweets!
One way to think about consumption of sweets is to indulge only on special occasions. The Mediterranean diet was based on the lifestyle of real people, and of course they partook in sweets from time to time (think holidays, birthdays, weddings, and the like), but not on a daily basis.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill menu is designed to provide strong nutritional choices that can align with your dietary specifications. When you open a Mediterranean restaurant franchise with us, we’ll help you bring this delicious, yet healthy, fast-casual restaurant to your community.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider a Mediterranean restaurant franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.