New on the blog: The Mediterranean Diet: What the Research Shows and a Lowcountry Way to Start

It is less a diet than a way of eating, built on vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, nuts, olive oil and fish, with less red meat and few sweets.

Yes. Grilled shrimp or fish over greens with olive oil and lemon, field peas and okra with tomatoes, and fresh peaches or watermelon for dessert all fit.

Red and processed meat and sweets are eaten only occasionally. Poultry, eggs, yogurt and cheese come in moderate amounts.