The Mediterranean Diet and Spanish Food Culture
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What is the Mediterranean Diet and why is it so “healthy”?
The Mediterranean diet is also characterized by how food is eaten: lunch is the largest meal, often taken over the course of an hour or two; dinners are lighter salads or soups; carbs are always paired with healthy fats; and eating food is generally viewed as a social event, where family or friends come together for hours to sit in the sun and share stories and tapas together. People always comment, “how can Italians eat carbs all day and stay skinny”. Well, part of the answer may be in the slow meal and the importance placed on eating as an event in it of itself.
You may have heard of the Mediterranean diet as one of the healthiest in the world for preventing disease and promoting longevity. Centered around fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, seafood, and moderate amounts of wine and meat, this diet is high in antioxidants and has been proven to be protective against many diet- and lifestyle-related diseases.
In a traditional sense, this diet was also planet-friendly. It focused on local, seasonal foods and used animal foods in moderation. Today, people in the region eat larger amounts of processed foods, sugar, and animal products, alongside more strain on the climate and health systems.
