Cretan Diet
It is no hardship to eat like a Cretan. The people of Crete eat well. Crete’s economy is based on agriculture, not only tourism. With its rich plains and valleys covered with olive trees and vineyards added to the abundance of the surrounding sea, Crete has an enviable food culture.
The wine and olive oil are locally produced, traditionally processed and wonderful. The warm, sunny climate is perfect for growing delicious fruits and vegetables, and the Cretans also raise sheep and goats for dairy products and meat. Their cheese and yogurt are fantastic, and their desserts are usually sweetened by fresh honey. This is a place where the ordinary food is truly extraordinary.
These are the basic rules for the Cretan Diet:
- Use olive oil as the principal fat, replacing all other fats and oils for frying and dressings
- Drink a moderate amount of wine, normally with an evening meal; about one to two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit as a typical daily dessert; limit sweets with a significant amount of sugar and saturated fat
- Include in your diet lots of food from plant sources, including fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, beans, nuts, and seeds
- Eat low to moderate amounts of cheese and yoghurt daily
- Consume low to moderate amounts of fish and poultry weekly; and limit eggs to a maximum of four per week
- Include red meat rarely perhaps just once per week
WeGuide you to… Cretan Diet!