Reasons why Greek food is the healthiest cuisine
It has been widely believed that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest in the world for many years now and recently the United States world health report claimed that the Mediterranean and Greek healthy diet lies in the eating habits of the people in these regions. The Mediterranean diet is very rich in fresh, seasonally grown fruits and vegetables, lentils and beans and a rich range of fish and seafood. Meat is consumed regularly but not on a daily basis.
Of course, we are also famous for our love and use of olive oil with its rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also lower in saturated fat than butter and is used daily for many dishes. For example, a spanakopita (Spinach pie) is made with olive oil instead of butter and, if it has no feta in it, can be a vegan dish. Greek cuisine is so rich in colour freshness and antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins.
Why should you incorporate Mediterranean foods into your daily diet?
Its delicious!
We see on our daily food tours that visitors to our country are happily surprised to taste foods that they have never tried before and always believed that they would not like. The thought of tasting your first kalamata olive or a freshly caught anchovy pickled in rich olive oil may make you wonder why you chose to visit Greece, until the first bite and then you realise just how flavoursome and delicious, they are!
Freshness
The number one feature of our cuisine is just how fresh the products are. GMO products have been banned in Greece since 2000. Many people grow their own herbs in their gardens or In pots on their balconies and pick them on a daily basis and incorporate them into every dish. Salad ingredients are grown locally and are often bought directly from the farmer at the weekly market (laiki) which you will find in every area of the country.
Healthy
Greek people consume healthy legumes, lentils, vegetables and fruits daily. Herbs and spices are used to flavour foods rather than artificial sauces or fatty cream. Herbal teas are regularly used including mountain tea which is a variety of sage and is believed to aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. The island, Ikaria is one of only 5 blue zones in the world. This is a place where people routinely live to 100+ years of age. And of course, lets not forget our love of wine straight out of the barrel.
On our daily food tours you will sample more than 20 different tastings of traditional Greek food including meat, fish, beans, vegetables and of course sweets, wine and ouzo.
