A Full Greek Immersion into the Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle This previous week, I had the unbelievable alternative to immerse myself within the many advantages and joys of the Mediterranean Diet. I…

A Full Greek Immersion into the Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle

This previous week, I had the unbelievable alternative to immerse myself within the many advantages and joys of the Mediterranean Diet.

I kicked off the week in Kalamata, Greece, the place I had the respect of talking at and attending the worldwide Tomorrow Tastes Mediterranean Conference ( an occasion organized by the Torribera Mediterranean Center (a partnership between the University of Barcelona and The Culinary Institute of America) in collaboration with the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation ( It introduced collectively a dynamic group of world consultants — from science, coverage, meals manufacturing, hospitality, and extra — to debate the current state of and discover the way forward for the Mediterranean Diet.

Visiting the Kalamata agora (market) introduced every little thing we mentioned to life — a strong reminder that meals programs start in neighborhood and tradition. And spending time deep within the Mediterranean olive ecosystem. I noticed olive harvesting firsthand and had fascinating conversations with consultants concerning the extraordinary style and well being advantages of high-quality further virgin olive oil. The ardour and precision of the producers was actually inspiring.

I additionally proceed to be impressed with the dedication to sustainability on the a part of the TEMES S.A. group that I witnessed at Costa Navarino ( on the Messinian coast. This SW area within the Peloponnese is house to an estimated 14-16 million olive timber, creating an enormous edible panorama that does double obligation in sequestering carbon. 

And in Athens, the crew and I obtained the chance to meet up with one in all our superb alum, Cat Cora. It is at all times fantastic to listen to what our alumni are as much as.

Some of my key takeaways from the week in Greece:
* The Mediterranean Diet, the best way of consuming and life-style, grounded in custom and supported by science, has a significant and still-underleveraged function to play in advancing human well being and sustainability.

* It is nonetheless not simply concerning the Mediterranean Diet: there are a number of different diets around the globe which are constructed on related ideas. The TTM convention offered an incredible platform to trade concepts and study from one another. 
Incredibly tasty meals may be extremely wholesome. But at all times lead with deliciousness.

* Science and tradition go hand in hand — (meals) science issues.  The science underlying the lately launched 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet involves life within the still-vibrant conventional meals cultures of locations like Messenia, Greece.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, EAT, Michael Sperling, Robert E. Jones, Santi Mas de Xaxàs Faus, Abby Fammartino, Jennifer Breckner, Marina Papatsoni, Xenophon Kappas (Ξενοφών Κάππας), Maureen Costura, Ed Wingenbach, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Rosa M Lamuela-Raventos, Fabrice DeClerck, Maryann Tebben, Frank Hu