Mediterranean diet

Mediterranean diet The reference Mediterranean diet is based on the typical food standard of Crete and many other regions of Greece and southern Italy, in the early 1960s. The life expectancy of adults in these regions was among one of the highest and the occurrence of coronary heart disease, certain types of cancer and other chronic diseases was greatly reduced.

This diet consists of plant products (fruits, vegetables, bread and cereals, potatoes, pulses, dried fruits and seeds), fresh fruits are the usual dessert, olive oil the main source of fat, dairy products (mainly cheese and yoghurt) and fish and livestock consumed in small to moderate amounts. Work in the fields or the home required a high level of physical activity and consequently reduced levels of obesity.

Recent studies of data from the last 30 years clearly document the claim that the traditional Mediterranean diet meets many criteria to be considered a healthy diet. These studies have also shown that this diet is more than just the nutrients on their own, but their combination in a healthy way of eating forms the basis of these protective effects.

The Mediterranean diet pyramid provides a healthy way to eat that is also full of taste and pleasure.