THE (MODIFIED) PALEO-MEDITERRANEAN DIET

The (modified) Paleo 
mediterranean

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BY ALEX VASQUEZ, DC, ND, DO

This is my interpretation of the Modified Paleo-Mediterranean Diet as
 described by Alex Vasquez, DC, ND, DO. I have reformatted this in a
 table form, and use this as a handout in the office. This is available in 
table form within the downloadable handouts page.

Vegetables, (5-9) servings daily: choose from a wide variety of fresh, in season, or
frozen vegetables, brightly colored, lots of leafy greens, collards, broccoli, 
green beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, chard, kale,bok choy, avocados. (Limit)
tubers like yams. (Severely limit) starches like corn, white potatoes. Avoid canned goods.

Fruits, (2-3) servings daily: a wide variety of fruits, (especially fresh locally grown
fruits in season) fresh, frozen, or dried apples, pomegranate, melons, kiwi, plums,
pears, pineapple, mango, citrus fruits, figs, dates, raisins, cranberries. (Limit) the
sweeter and dried fruits like dates, raisins, prunes, grapes and bananas due to the
higher sugar content (they are to be used as sweets).

Protein (2-3) 3 oz. servings (deck of cards size) prepare grilled, steamed, stewed,
sautéed over low heat: lean, free range, all natural, antibiotic free, growth hormone
free proteins, game, chicken, liver, poultry, turkey, lamb, lean beef,
(limit to once a week) fish (2-3 servings per week, including) small, low mercury,
cold water, wild caught fish, such as sardines, mackerel, herring, salmon).
(Excluding! farm raised, unless organic) fish. Also, excluding tuna, swordfish,
Atlantic salmon, bottom dwellers like catfish. (Limit) shellfish. Eggs
(limit 4 per week) also tofu, soy and whey protein.

Legumes, (including up to one serving daily) lentils, beans of all kinds,
kidney beans, navy, pinto, black beans, chickpeas (hummus),
black eyed peas, peanuts) also soy milk, tofu. (Limit) to one serving per day
non GMO, organic soy.

Seeds, including sunflower, pumpkin, sesame butter (tahini).

Nuts (in order of richest in omega 3’s) including walnuts, macadamias, Brazils,
filberts, pecans, cashews, almonds, also almond milk.

Berries (including) blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, etc.

Dairy (including) yogurt with abundant live cultures like greek yogurt, kefir
also cultured soy or coconut milk. (Severely limited) cheese. (Excluding)
milk, butter, ice cream, sour cream.

Grains (severely limit, or exclude all) whole grain brown rice, oats, quinoa
barley (exclude) all wheat flour.

Fats (including) olive oil, canola, coconut. (Severely limiting, excluding!)
seed oils like sunflower, corn, safflower. (Excluding) lard, all Trans fats,
(shortening, margarines, deep fryer oils), peanut, brominated vegetable oils
(used as preservatives).

Sweeteners (including) honey, agave nectar, stevia. (Severely limiting, exclude)
raw cane sugar, molasses, (excluding) sugar, aspartame, NutraSweet, Splenda,
saccharin, acesulfame-K.

Beverages (including) 64 ounces of clear filtered water daily, teas,
(include 1 serving green tea) and (organic) coffee in moderation, 4 oz wine
(optional, limit). Excluding all types of soda, fruit juices, Kool-aid, artificially
flavored and bottled drinks, imitation juice, caffeinated energy drinks. (Excluding)
all distilled alcohol and beer, malt alcohol beverages.

Excluding ALL commercially made foods, frozen meals, fast foods,
convenience foods, artificial foods, chemical food additives, artificial flavorings
and all artificial sweeteners.

Number and size of portions and also amounts of carbohydrates consumed
should be directly related/proportional to overall calorie requirements, and
whether weight loss is desirable.