1. In what ways do our eating habits affect our health?
Well, very profoundly. Perhaps nothing else effects our health as much as our eating habits. We can analyze, by taking samples of the fat under the skin, what a person has been eating. We can actually analyze the tissue and see exactly that. Eating habits profoundly affect our health and well being, as they can be the cause of heart attacks and diabetes. Our eating habits even affect the development of our brain, among many other things. Large amounts of refined starch and sugar put stress on our pancreas and can strongly affect the development of diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers.
2. We have read statements of yours about how people should “go back and start eating like Cretans did 50 years ago.” Could you elaborate?
What we have seen is that we can learn from the experiences of the Cretans and complement it with Mother Science. We can’t exactly live the way they used to live 50 years ago but we can incorporate the philosophy of their way of living into our modern lives. Eating healthy oils, lots of vegetables and fruit, small amounts of meat, small amounts of dairy products and full grains – that basic pattern of diet was practiced by the Cretans not because they were smarter than other cultures, but simply because that was the food available. Coupled with lots of physical activity, that combination was their “secret.” And, of course, they weren’t smoking! Although they were forced into these eating and living habits, such habits served them well, promoting their physical well-being and longevity.
3. So, the biggest problems of our time are the high consumption of fats and sugars, along with smoking?
Yes, those are the major problems. There are lots of kinds of fats of course, but cutting out refined starches, sugars, and smoking, eating adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, and consuming only moderate amounts of alcohol on a daily basis are crucial to good health. Cretans had all this together. We can have most of this in our modern life too, as there is a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables around us. Even so, the food served around us is mostly junk foods; people smoke everywhere and consume too much alcohol.
4. Recently, alcohol and meet been demonized in all sorts of ways. Is there truth behind such claims?
It’s not a question of whether to consume a lot or whether to consume nothing; it’s about modest amounts. The middle position is of course more complicated, but in reality, nutrition is about having the right amount of everything and finding the right balance. For example, meat; we have found that although it is fine to be a vegetarian, it is even better to have small amounts of animal products. A modest amount of fish, poultry, and eggs offers the perfect balance in terms of nutrient input. Eating animal products a couple of times a week is good, but everyday is too much. Too much alcohol is also a problem. But we have seen that 1 or 2 drinks a day can actually improve our metabolic state, reducing the risk of heart attacks and diabetes.
5. What about carbohydrates? In the Mediterranean countries, we eat a lot of pasta, but still don’t have the problems other cultures seem to have.
It all has to do with the type of carbohydrates. The best type is full grain high fiber carbohydrates. The problem is that industries now refine our grain too much, removing all the fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Such processes create the bad carbohydrates. With the inactivity that often comes with the modern lifestyle, we should be more careful with the types of carbohydrates that we consume. For example, try and stay away from potatoes; they have very low nutritional value.
6. Realistically speaking, what would be the ideal, balanced diet for a hard working person with his everyday routine and busy life?
The Cretan diet would probably be that ideal, but most people will want more variety and different kinds of foods. So it would be perfect if, in the mornings, you could have some cooked whole grain or cereal, combined with some nuts. For lunch, maybe a big salad with some whole grain bread and olive oil, a tuna fish sandwich in whole grain bread, or with some peanut butter. It’s not difficult to make combinations. Dinner can be some poultry or fish. We talk about variety of course, but try to keep your the meat consumption low and aim to eat more vegetables.
7. Would you say obesity is one of the biggest problems of our time?
Yes, it is a huge problem, and the USA is the primary culprit, but other countries are catching up now. In a few years, these countries are going to be worse than the States. Diabetes rates in many Asian countries are actually higher than in the US. In Latin America, primarily in Mexico, 30% of women are diabetic. So, I think obesity is going to be the major public health problem of the century.
8. A financial problem too?
Obesity will devastate the economies of most countries, if we don’t find a way to prevent it. Can you imagine a country, for example, with 30% of the population being diabetic in a few years and needing kidney transplants and other treatment? Not even the US can afford that.
9. Does overeating have anything to do with genetics?
Genes do have a small part in it, but people have been giving genetics too much attention. There is a certain genetic predisposition towards obesity, but diet can usually override it.
10. Is there any specific food that is very beneficial to our health?
It is really a combination. As you know nutrition is like an orchestra. Having said that, it is true that olive oil has played a very important role in providing a healthy source of calories that has many benefits. Combined with vegetables and whole grains, olive oil allows for the perfect diet.
