Mediterranean Food. What is, and what isn't.?

Ok, Im not Greek( Im native american/german mix) but my boyfriend is very greek. He claims the Greeks invented the mediterranean diet, which i partly agree with. But, my question is I've also seen french foods,and italian foods labeled as Mediteranean. Who's right? Greek Boyfriend, or Marketing People????Mediterranean Food. What is, and what isn't.?
It's called "mediterranean" and not "Greek" or "Italian" for a reason...

"Mediterranean diet" is a concept first made by American scientist Ancel Keys and his book "Eat well and stay well, the Mediterranean way", written when he was in Italy, btw.

"Seven Countries Study" is a reasearch done after that, you can google for it.

Nobody "invented" mediterranean food, food from Countries in Mediterranean basin (especially Spain, Italy, Greece and Southern France) have some important characteristics in common, naturally developed along the centuries.Mediterranean Food. What is, and what isn't.?
Hi from France



To me it's the food who is from around the Mediterranee.. I'm from the South West France ...



Have a nice day,



CatherineMediterranean Food. What is, and what isn't.?
The Mediterranean includes coastlines of Spain, France and Italy, and the greek islands. The Med diet focuses on veggies, grains, healthy oils. nuts, seeds and fish. To be exact:



"The principal aspects of this diet include high olive oil consumption, high consumption of legumes, high consumption of unrefined cereals, high consumption of fruits, high consumption of vegetables, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate to high consumption of fish, low consumption of meat and meat products, and moderate wine consumption[6]."Mediterranean Food. What is, and what isn't.?
The "Mediterranean Diet" wasn't a creation of the Greeks, the Italians or the French. It was instead a very American doctor and nutritionist named Ancel Keys who, after a lengthy observation of the eating habits of several European peoples, came up with this particular diet.



So much for your boyfriend's thoughts. He has probably seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" too many times, and identifies himself with the character who plays Nia Vardalos' father...
Americans may have invented the term but definitely not the diet. It not only involves the types of food as mentioned but also the order in which you eat them and the quantity.