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Mediterranean Diet

The importance of the Mediterranean Diet lies in its numerous health benefits, but what does it consist of?

The Mediterranean Diet, which has its origins in the Greek word “díaita”, is a lifestyle feature stretching back more than 3,000 years and is the result of a body of knowledge and know-how from mediterranean civilisations and peoples. This way of living is the result of community experiences passed down from generation to generation over the millennia. It involves a healthy eating pattern, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is based on the consumption of fresh, seasonal and local produce, including legumes, vegetables, dried fruits and various other fruits. Food is a cultural act, where sharing meal with others ensures the transmission of cultural values and the exchange of knowledge, as this provides the opportunity to negotiate and reach agreements.
The Mediterranean Diet is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting the importance of this dietary pattern for the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of health. This distinction highlights the communities that keep this tradition alive, through safeguarding culinary techniques, respecting seasonal rhythms, cyclical festivities and passing on cultural values to future generations. Today, the Mediterranean Diet contributes to environmental preservation and the prevention of climate change by promoting sustainable agricultural models and healthy eating. Many of the products that are part of the Mediterranean Diet can be found at the Municipal Market.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET FAIR

The Municipality of Tavira, in collaboration with other organisations, hosts the Mediterranean Diet Fair, which takes place during the second weekend of September in the historic centre of Tavira. This fair is a time for celebrating cultures that practise sharing and mutual help, for collective celebration and the arts, for highlighting local products from land and sea, for meeting friends around the table, as well as passing on knowledge about food and healthy lifestyles.  

Relevant files that may interest you

A Maria,o avô Silvestr e a Dieta Mediterrânica em Tavira

A-Mariao-avo-Silvestr-e-a-Dieta-Mediterranica-em-Tavira.pdf • 3.54 MB

Livro Alimentos do Mês

Livro-Alimentos-do-Mes.pdf • 28.11 MB

Mediterranean diet products

  • Products

    Bread

    Bread is one of the oldest foods, which originated in Mesopotamia following the domestic use of wild wheat. This development led to a significant revolution in the sedentarisation of human communities, and it later became a central element in the Mediterranean Diet.

  • Products

    Olive oil

    The olive tree and olive oil are hallmarks of the Mediterranean world. Olive groves are still one of the main landscape features in this part of the world, and provide around 95% of the world’s olive oil production.

  • Products

    Wine

    The production of wine involves the crushing of grapes, fermentation, storage and subsequent treatment. Originating in the Mediterranean, wine is an alcoholic drink with highly cultural and symbolic value.

  • Fish

    Seafood

    Seafood, including fish, shellfish, bivalves and molluscs, is fundamental to the Portuguese diet, and has a rich history with many traditions associated with it.
    The importance of seafood in the diet is evidenced by osteological material and domestic ceramic artefacts found in archaeological excavations, especially those of Phoenicians and Arabs.
    The Romans were known for producing and exporting “garum”, a much-loved fish paste. In turn, “muxama”, the “ham of the sea”, is made with tuna loins and derives from the Arabic term “musama”, which means dry.

  • Products

    Aromatic herbs

    The southern regions of Europe, including Portugal, are rich in fauna and botanical biodiversity. They have a long history of gathering and cultivating aromatic herbs and spices for use in home cooking.

  • Products

    Vegetables and legumes

    In rural regions and urban peripheries of Portugal, it is common to find vegetable gardens next to houses, where families grow fresh vegetables for home consumption as well as raising poultry.

  • Food of the month

    Monthly publication

    Seasonal foods should be favoured as they provide what is needed at each time of year. These aromas and flavours represent a region, a culture and local traditions.
    The Mediterranean Food Standard is a standard with culture, tradition, sustainability and balance!
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