The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is characterised by a relatively high intake of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), fruit, unrefined cereals, and vegetables; moderate amounts of fish, poultry and wine; and relatively low amounts of dairy products, red and processed meats. The Mediterranean diet has been linked with good health, including a healthier heart.
Mediterranean diet comprises the traditional healthy living and eating habits of people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea including Turkey, Greece, France, Italy and Spain.
While there is no single definition of the Mediterranean diet, extra virgin olive is one of key ingredients. Go for olive oil instead of butter or processed vegetable oils. Try fish or poultry rather than red meat.
Fat Isn’t Forbidden
You just need to look for the good kind. You’ll find it in nuts, olives, and olive oil. These fats (not saturated and trans-fat hidden in processed foods) add flavour and help fight diseases from diabetes to cancer.
Enjoy fresh fruit and skip sugary, fancy desserts.
Eat your fill of flavourful veggies and beans. Nuts are good but stick to a handful a day. You can have whole-grain bread and wine, but in moderate amounts.
UNESO defines it as “a social practice based on all the “savoir-faire”, knowledge, traditions ranging from the landscape to the table and covering the Mediterranean Basin, cultures, harvesting, fishing, conservation, processing, preparation, cooking and in particular the way we consume”
Mediterranean Lifestyle
To live the Mediterranean Lifestyle is not only a special healthy diet but also having the confidence to live life to the fullest, finding the perfect balance in eating, working and living. Socialising, being active and productive helps our overall health and well-being.
“This “way of living”, is what we also know today as “lifestyle”. Style or way of life characterising individuals, groups, communities or villages and which make them similar or different from each other. The cuisine and the table have been written in the cities, the lifestyle has been amplified and extended contributing to the transmission of traditional knowledge and to the stimulating daring of innovation.” *Source
Mediterranean Lifestyle as a way of life, re-centre food and people together with joy and well-being. Food is celebratory and brings people together! Celebration is a key component of the Mediterranean Lifestyle.
Do not hesitate to try new cuisines and ingredients and let’s enjoy Mediterranean Lifestyle!
Mediterranean Lifestyle is proven by
• Ancel Keys 7 Countries study from the 1950’s
• World Health Organization Guidelines, 1990
• Blue Zones by Dan Buetner, 2009: Sardinia, Loma Linda, Okinawa, Ikaria, Nicoya
