Most of the diets handed down from healthcare professionals to their patients can be regarded (sometimes by both parties) as punishment for past excesses. The diets themselves are often spartan regimes unrelieved by tasty or satisfying foods. The Mediterranean diet is different. The variety of taste and texture, the bright colorful fruits, vegetables and pulses, the discovery of fish as an exciting and tasty alternative to meat makes the diet easy and satisfying to follow and easy to recommend.