Excert from the IntroductionThere is no
best diet.
Considering the title of this book, this statement may come as a surprise. But while there is no best diet per se, there is a best way to eat for
you. Your aim should be to find an eating pattern that will nourish your body but still feed your soul and please your taste buds—a way of eating that is easy and delicious, and avoids compromise.
As it turns out, the Mediterranean diet is not an eating pattern that I, nor anyone else, created. As we’ll discuss, it isn’t a diet at all. It represents the traditional eating pattern of real individuals who went about their lifestyle as best they knew how and happened to become one of history’s healthiest populations. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by plant-centric meals, seasonality, daily physical activity, and regular sharing of meals. So, although the Mediterranean diet is traditional, its principles are flexible and still translate to today. I learned of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in school and now use it as a tool in my practice to prevent and treat chronic diseases. But I mostly learned the principles of a Mediterranean diet at home.
When you’re born into an Italian family, you inherit an almost innate passion for food that feels nothing short of winning a food culture lottery. Growing up, I witnessed culinary traditions passing down generations; some of my fondest memories were formed in the kitchen, and I felt my deepest emotions at the dinner table. This upbringing fanned the initial spark, and my passion for food began to grow. Food remains the centre of my universe, as I wear the hat of both mom and dietitian. In my professional world, I use food as a tool to nourish, prevent, and heal. At home, food is synonymous with tradition, culture, and celebration, all of which are essential to my healthy-living prescription.
This crossover of personal and professional life has inspired me to share the magic of the Mediterranean eating pattern with you. So, while there is no
best diet, my mission in sharing with you the principles of the Mediterranean diet is to inspire you to adopt a nutritious, delicious way of eating that fits into your everyday without compromise. Sadly, it’s become too easy to lose touch with our food cultures. Diet culture is stronger than ever before, and this dangerous trade-off puts relationships with food, body image, and health at risk. Add this to work-life balance struggles and you may wonder if it is possible to eat well and feel well while still finding joy in eating.
Fortunately, there is a way to strike that delicate balance that is compatible with our modern lives. And I’m here to tell you how. Welcome to
Everyday Mediterranean, a guide to eating well and living well according to the traditional Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet has stood the test of time as one of the healthiest eating patterns ever studied, with decades (and counting) of research supporting its benefits. The pattern and its principles have become a gold standard for lifelong health. In this book, you will learn the fundamental principles of the Mediterranean diet—and how to apply them to your life—through tips and recipes inspired by my heritage and favourite Mediterranean ingredients. There’s a little something for everyone—from olive oil granola to spinach falafel to baklava-style apple strudel and figgy energy bites.
I am delighted to bring tradition, modern inspiration, and flavor to your daily table, so that you too can make every day Mediterranean.
Copyright © 2023 by Vanessa Perrone. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
