12 things that surprised me after following the Mediterranean diet for over a year Jennifer BartonFeb 9, 2021, 02:47 IST I'm excited to prepare and eat vegetables now.Jennifer Barton for Insider I've been following the Mediterranean diet for over a year, and it's changed aspects of my life. I've learned that vegetables can be exciting, and I don't miss eating red meat. My family has adapted nicely to the lifestyle, and it's improved my relationship with food. diet that was heavy on processed foods, red meat, and sugar and low on vegetables and whole grains. Worse still, I would graze all day, snacking rather than sitting down to meals.