The roots of the traditional Cretan diet are lost in the depths of time, going back thousands of years to the Minoan civilization. One thing that never failed to impress – and continues to impress – the visitors to Crete is the long tradition of the locals in healthy eating habits. As a result, it is not by accident that the famous Mediterranean diet is based at the principles of the traditional Cretan diet. At the core of the traditional Cretan diet is the olive oil of excellent quality, which is the most important source of “good” (monounsaturated) fat. Another key element of the Cretan diet is the reduced consumption of meat, which, when done, concerns mainly low-fat poultry or good quality red meat like the one provided by the free-range goats that are so common in Crete. Alternative sources of protein, instead of meat, that have always been popular in Crete throughout its history, are both the abundant fishes of the island and the delicious locally produced dairy products that are now famous all over Europe. An important factor in the benefits of the traditional Cretan diet for our health, is also the top quality of the locally produced agricultural products, which are very often consumed raw, or almost raw. Thus, in the traditional Cretan diet we usually find wild greens, like the known stamnagathi, lemons, oranges and nuts. In summary, we can undoubtedly say that the traditional Cretan diet, having passed the test of time, is the safest choice of diet in order to maintain our health through nutrition, as it provides our body with all the nutrients we need in the right proportions and quantities. Traditional Cretan Diet
