I know you frequently have questions about the different types of diets and diet pyramids you hear about through the media, and the Mediterranean diet pyramid is one that receives a lot of attention.

"Mediterranean diet" best describes the dietary patterns that are found in the olive-growing areas of the world and where these patterns were established more than 30 years ago. Though the Mediterranean pyramid may appear similar to the old U.S. food guide pyramid, the Mediterranean pyramid promotes several different recommendations:

• Increased consumption of plant-based foods, especially beans, legumes, and nuts
• Use of olive oil instead of butter, margarine, and other oils
• Avoidance of processed foods
• Limited consumption of saturated fats and sweets
• Daily consumption of cheese and yogurt
• Limits on the consumption of red meat (once per month) as well as fish and poultry (once per week)

Many of the suggested diet guidelines may sound challenging to a person following the traditional American diet, where many meals are planned around meat and there is a high intake of sweets. However, research shows that Mediterranean diets may be beneficial in reducing the risks of many different health-related problems. Decreased risks of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer are the most strongly recognized of these benefits.