Spaniards turn backs on the Mediterranean diet

The first National survey on Spanish Eating habits has revealed that the Spanish population no longer follow the famous Mediterranean diet so strongly! The president of ASEAN, Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition), described how the study shows the Spaniards to have “turned their backs on the traditional Mediterranean diet”.

Spain is famed for having a very healthy diet with an abundance of fresh fruit and veg, olive oil, seafood and meat. I know that while I have been in Spain I have hugely enjoyed eating the Jamon Serrano and famous Spanish tapas. However it seems that the Spanish, like many other Europeans, are now eating too much fast food, too much meat and drinking too many fizzy drinks.

The study which was published at the beginning of March revealed some alarming statistics: only 43% of the population eat vegetables on a daily basis, yet 30% of the population eat cakes and pastries daily instead! 46% don´t exercise regularly or even walk for half an hour a day. What’s more is that 56% of the population suffers from weight problems or obesity! However the diet of the young is worse than that of the older generations.

In many ways these statistics have surprised me. In Britain I notice many more overweight people in the streets on a day to day basis. For me the Spanish food and ways of eating seem healthier than the English.

I really enjoy going from bar to bar and having pinchos or tapas with a class of wine or beer. Although you definitely couldn´t describe churros as a balanced meal, in general the traditional Spanish dishes are relatively healthy.

So if you are visiting Spain don´t go out for a pizza as you could so easily do at home, embrace the traditional Mediterranean diet: not only is it tasty but also much healthier!