Discovering the Mediterranean Diet
- theresapriornutrit
- Aug 10, 2021
- 2 min read
In my former life as a French teacher, I spent a week with a family in France in May of 2000. Though I missed my kids and my husband terribly, I was really in need of a professional Red Bull at the time, a way to reconnect with French culture and language that just wasn’t possible without getting on a plane. So off I went.
My host family lived in a rustic but beautiful mas, or farmhouse, in a small rural town in Provence. Aside from the one-on-one language and culture lessons I received from my gracious hostess Véronique, I experienced first-hand the mode de vie of a French family living far from the busyness of Paris. I was amazed at the slow daily pace, the emphasis on meals and family time, and the virtual absence of consumerism. (Mind you, this was eons before Amazon.) The school-aged kids came home for an hour-and a-half lunch, which was served alfresco and included homemade dishes and fresh baguette. There was no running around to afterschool activities and very little tv watching. Perhaps most surprising was that the family all sat down every night to eat dinner together and discuss their day. Wow. Can you imagine?
An outdoor market in Provence, France circa 2000.
But the big takeaway for me was the food (big shocker, right?). This was my very first exposure to the Mediterranean diet. Not a weight loss plan but a pattern of eating that my host family practiced. It includes, but not exclusively, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, yogurt, olives, nuts, and some red wine. Study after study has shown that folks eating this diet tend to have lower risks of the chronic diseases plaguing Western culture: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. In short, it’s healthy. Big time. Just as important: it’s delicious, and super adaptable. In my mind, a seed was planted during that trip.
Perhaps my most important souvenir is the recipe I’ve linked: Provençal Tuna Salad, served by my hostess during my stay. I’ve adapted it slightly by adding fresh garlic and Jersey tomatoes. Besides being satisfying and colorful and perfect for a summer dinner, it showcases some of the Mediterranean diet’s healthiest features: olive oil, olives, veggies, and fish. Bon appétit!
Recipe:
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