'Blue Zones' author discusses Sardinian diet

October 21, 10:21 AMWeight Loss ExaminerGail Gedan Spencer

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The Blue Zones
outlines the Sardinian diet.

Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest, was on Good Morning America Wednesday talking about the Sardinian diet.

No, it's not based on sardines.

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Surprisingly, it's cheese that makes up a large part of the diet. The cheese that's eaten in Sardinia is make from grass-fed sheep, which makes it much higher in omega-3 fatty acids than any other cheese. And omega-3s can do many beneficial things, including fighting inflammation throughout the body and improving cholesterol.

Red wine is also a staple of the Sardinian diet -- but it's not some wimpy rose or even pinot. The wine consumed in Sardinia is so dark that it's referred to as "vino nero" or "black wine." Since it's so dark it's loaded with antioxidants.

Fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts are a staple of the diet and meat is an occasional luxury.

The point of the Sardinian diet is not weight loss (although this will be a side effect) but longevity.

I first learned of The Blue Zones and the Sardinian diet in THIS great article in Cooking Light magazine. It's definitely worth a read. And there are recipes, too.