A glorious way of eating in Greece: Benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle

Say goodbye to refined sugar and flour except on rare occasions. Fats other than olive oil, such as butter, are consumed rarely, if at all. Red meat can make a rare appearance, usually only to flavor a dish. Instead, meals may include eggs, dairy and poultry, but in much smaller portions than in the traditional American diet.

I had the pleasure of spending some time in Greece years ago and was absolutely addicted to the Greek salads with cucumber, tomato, onion, feta cheese, round pepper, lemon juice, and virgin olive oil. There are variations, of course, you can add olives, garbanzo beans, etc.

Now I think I'd make a variation including red and orange peppers. I heard they're really excellent for eye health and a host of other good stuff.

If you're interested, here are the top ten health benefits of bell peppers.

It’s all about olives and olive oil.

You mean it's not the red wine?

R3. I mostly knew about bell peppers, but it's always nice reading about the benefits to reinforce good eating habits. Add a dash of lemon pepper, garlic powder and olive oil...it's heaven.

Extra virgin olive oil is excellent for health

Greek salad (lettuce free) is one of my favorite foods. It’s easy to make but never tastes as good as in a Greek restaurant.

Greek and lemon potatoes are also to die for.

I use extra virgin olive oil on soooooooo many things. I love it. Topped with lemon pepper, omg!

The Mediterranean diet is so healthy and tastes delicious. I never feel like I'm denying myself anything. And the desserts are fabulous too.

I <3 EVOO !!

Paywalled R2

[quote]Say goodbye to refined sugar and flour except on rare occasions.

So not true.

[quote]Red meat can make a rare appearance, usually only to flavor a dish.

So not true

You know very little about the diet of the Mediterranean .

[quote]The Mediterranean diet is so healthy and tastes delicious. I never feel like I'm denying myself anything.

This is so true. Plus, it's easy as a vegetarian to modify the dishes and still not feel like you are missing out.

OMG, how fantastic, great news, who knew? There is something called a "Mediterranean Diet"? Wow, cool. And they use some kind of oil from the olive? And it's "extra virgin" hahaha ROFL that's so funny like how can an oil be virgin! Well. I never in all my life imagined such a thing. The Mediterranean lifestyle you say? Well they are are lucky over there. Where is this? Like around Cuba and Italy?

Che amaro che sei, R14. Sheesh.

Hold, on. My dialup is acting wonky. So I'm finding a little bit on Yahoo and Lycos about this Mediterranean Lifestyle!

But what about the baklava?

Have any of you people ever SEEN what Greeks, whether male, female, nymph, satyr, demigod or other, look like after 40?

Didn't think so.

And don't say "Stamos." He's half Irish.

R14 For CNN it's "Breaking News".

R14 is a Malaka.

Ricki Lake was talking about this the other day on her show. I love Ricki Lake and have all the shows on VHS. I watch them all the time every morning when I enjoy my Maxwell House International coffee and feed my cats.

[quote]Red meat can make a rare appearance, usually only to flavor a dish.

And would you please tell us what dishes there are in the Greek and Italian culinary repertoire where red meat is used to "only to flavor a dish".