With it, people eat highger-quality food over time, which research suggests keeps weight down<\/a> for longer.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the big upside of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes olive oil, whole fruits and vegetables, and fish over red meat. The University of North Carolina developed \u201cMed-South<\/a>,\u201d which adapts these principles to Southern favorites.<\/p>\n Researchers in a new study<\/a> pitted the Med-South program against the Weight Watchers program, a standard for weight loss that\u2019s been around for over 60 years.<\/p>\n What they found was that both programs helped people lose weight, with \u201cno material difference\u201d between the two \u2014 except for diet quality, which was improved with Med-South.<\/p>\n \u201cMy key takeaway was the profound impact of the Mediterranean diet on improving our overall eating habits in a way that\u2019s sustainable,\u201d Emily Case, a registered dietitian at Northwell Health, told The Post.\u00a0That improved diet quality \u201cmakes us much more likely to adopt these habits for life.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s the Mediterranean diet and Med-South?<\/p>\n Mediterranean diet participants naturally eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts and less refined carbs, Case said. \u201cWe know that people who adapt these whole food pattern styles of eating \u2026 report feeling better. They have more energy.\u201d<\/p>\n While the diet is straightforward on paper, it takes real effort to integrate it into real life. That\u2019s why participants in this study got help in three phases.<\/p>\n First, they worked with dietitians to improve food quality without a focus on weight loss. Second, they identified weight loss goals and worked on changing eating habits. And third, they focused on maintaining good habits. Participants had in-person and telephone counseling from dietitians throughout the program.<\/p>\n Weight Watchers also has clients come in for a \u201cworkshop,\u201d which they recommend weekly<\/a>. In a workshop, you weigh yourself and talk to a guide about your goals. In the study, participants attended workshops and got access to the app\/online platform for two years.<\/p>\n The digital component allows clients to track their food and activity via a points system. Foods that are less healthy, based on nutritional value, \u201ccost\u201d more from a daily and weekly allowance.<\/p>\n In contrast, Med-South focuses more on behavioral and general changes to diet, rather than close tracking.<\/p>\n A better solution to an American health crisis<\/p>\n As many as two in five American adults<\/a> are obese. Obesity often comes with a higher risk of a number of serious conditions, from diabetes and arthritis to fatty liver disease and heart disease. Weight loss is one of the best ways to combat these.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not about living longer but living better. We want to prioritize the quality of our life, and that starts with food,\u201d Case said. Mediterranean diets \u201cdirectly address the underlying causes of chronic disease.\u201d<\/p>\n With the Med-South diet, easy swaps<\/a> make beloved dishes better for the body \u2014 like pecan pan-fried chicken and oven-fried okra.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-cheerful-woman-eats-vegetarian-137988216.jpg\")
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole foods. rh2010 \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/137988236.jpg\")
The Weight Watchers program assigns \u201cpoints\u201d to foods. Timon \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n