Mediterranean Diet Pyramid facts for kids
The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is a special guide that helps people eat healthy. It was created in 1993 by a few important groups: the Oldways Preservation Trust, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the World Health Organization. This pyramid shows you what kinds of foods to eat and how often to enjoy them, following the healthy eating style of the Mediterranean diet.
Contents
What is the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid?
This eating guide is inspired by countries around the Mediterranean Sea, especially where lots of olive oil is grown. The pyramid shows a healthy way to eat, based on how people in places like Crete, Greece, and southern Italy ate around 1960.
Why 1960?
In the 1960s, people in these Mediterranean areas were very healthy. They had some of the lowest rates of long-term illnesses in the world. Also, adults lived a very long time, even though medical care was not as advanced as it is today. A scientist named Ancel Keys helped discover these important facts.
How the Pyramid Works
The pyramid is split into three main parts:
- Foods to eat every day
- Foods to eat every week
- Foods to eat every month
It tells you how often to eat different foods, but it doesn't tell you exact serving sizes. This helps you understand the general balance of the diet.
Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
Many studies suggest that eating like the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid can help you stay healthy and live longer.
Protecting Your Health
Research has linked this way of eating to a lower chance of getting certain illnesses. For example, it might help protect against:
- Lung disease
- Alzheimer's disease (a brain condition)
- Allergies
- Asthma (a breathing condition)
By choosing foods from the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, you can support your body's health in many ways.
