Since 2010 the Mediterranean Diet has been declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. If the word diet scares you, know that it is not a real diet, but rather one lifestyle which is, proudly and inimitable, adopted in Campania, as well as throughout Italy. In particular, Southern Italy makes its full expression on the tables. In this section, you will find many curiosity and ideas on this way of cooking which has become a cultural model.
Some curiosities about the Mediterranean Diet:
Paradoxically, an American discovered it. We have to thank Ancel Keys, a physiologist, who, together with his wife, Margaret Haney, a chemist, during the 1950s, gave birth to research entitled “Seven Countries Study”. The aim of the research was to investigate the lifestyle adopted in different countries, including Italy, to understand the close connection between lifestyle, food and health.
It was created in Campania, precisely in Pioppi. Well yes, Ancel Keys and his wife, in order to complete their research and their investigations, lived in Pioppi, in the Cilento Coast. Here, in addition to the scholar, other members of the scientific community stayed, as well as numerous international conferences on the Mediterranean diet in his Castello di Vinciprova.
It goes hand in hand with sustainability. The Mediterranean Diet is the most sustainable model also from an environmental point of view. Food sustainability, which involves the consumption of products with low environmental impact, is combined with the fundamental principles of the Mediterranean Diet, which you will find below. Meat and desserts, in fact, two of the major culprits of greenhouse gas emissions, should be consumed moderately.
The basic principles:
- WHO Golden Rule: Five-a-day. Every day 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.
- Extra-virgin olive oil.
- Vegetable with every meal.
- Three portions of legumes per week.
- Two portions of fish per week.
- Meat no more than once a week.
- Dried fruit every day.
- Yoghurt every day.
- Wine in moderation, but 1 glass during meals is the golden rule.
- Sweets and sugary drinks for celebrating only.
Disclaimer: This article has been written for information purposes only. It should not be considered as medical advice.