THE ROLE OF BREAD IN THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

THE ROLE OF BREAD IN THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET Elena Paravantes-Hargitt, RDN President, American Overseas Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Consultant, Writer, Health Editor, Olive Oil Times Founder, Olive Tomato

A Meal Without Bread is Not a Meal

What is the Mediterranean Diet �Original Definition: Referring to a specific pattern of eating that is associated with certain health benefits �Today’s Definition: Referring to a way of eating and different types of cuisines around the Mediterranean with many common characteristics.

History of the Mediterranean Diet � 1948 -Rockefeller Foundation Study, Crete. � 1958 -1964 -Ancel Keys, American Physiologist Seven-Countries Study � 1993 - Oldways with Harvard and other researchers present the Mediterranean Diet Food Pyramid �Mediterranean goes mainstream

First Mediterranean Diet Pyramid � Oldways, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the European Office of the World Health Organization introduced the classic Mediterranean Diet in 1993 � Based on the dietary traditions of Crete, Greece and southern Italy circa 1960 Sources: Oldways, Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating. Am J Clin Nutr 1995 61: 1402 S-1406 S

Benefits �Heart Disease �Diabetes �Decreased Mortality �Cancer �Weight �Mental Health �Better Quality of Life

Current Mediterranean Diet Pyramid-Oldways

Mediterranean Diet Pyramid Mediterranean Diet Foundation

Greek Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

Italian Food Pyramid

Role of Bread in the Mediterranean Diet �Antiquity-Bread one of the 3 Fundamental Foods �Bread necessary with every meal �Bread provided satiety �Increases enjoyment

Role of Bread in the Mediterranean Diet �Bread is a basis of the semivegetarian Mediterranean Diet �Bread + Vegetables = A natural pairing �Bread with olives or cheese becomes a meal on its own �Yet Mediterranean diet is a moderate carbohydrate diet

Nutrition Benefits of Bread �Most bread was made with unprocessed flours as those were cheaper �Source of fiber �Source of vitamins �Mainly source of energy

Typical Use of Bread �Breakfast: Bread with tea or chamomile �Lunch: Bread accompanies every meal, used as an aid to gather food. �Dinner: Bread with cheese, or yogurt or olives.

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean -Phyllo-

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean -Pita-

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean -Paximadi (Rusk)-

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean -Breadsticks-Grissini-

Other forms of “Bread” in the Mediterranean -Pizza-

Summary � Mediterranean Diet Gold Standard of Diets � Bread consumed within a Mediterranean diet eating pattern contributes to the health benefits of the diet.

Thank you!