Apart from the sun, the sea, the natural beauty, hospitality and friendly atmosphere, Greece has been identified as the home of the Mediterranean diet. In the world wide bibliography there have been references of the traditional diet of Greeks, and especially the residents of Crete, especially those of the older generations. A diet that is balanced, full of essential nutrients, containing all of food groups in ideal proportions. Many studies show that the Mediterranean diet is responsible for the long life, and general good health that residents of the Mediterranean areas enjoy.
Over time however, we have adopted “western” lifestyle. Beyond any other advantages or disadvantages coming to one’s mind, this lifestyle comes hand-in-hand with certain eating habits. Fast food, ready-made and processed foods are only some of these. Our eating habits are becoming more and more distant from the traditional Greek – Mediterranean diet. It is not a surprise, that obesity in Greece, and sadly child obesity, is now among the highest in the world. Although today more and more low-fat products are available, which we all try to consume instead of their full-fat version, the result seems to deteriorate with. This is not at all a coincidence.