Macro partitioning
Global adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern has significantly declined since the 1960s, driven by a disproportionate increase in the availability of non-Mediterranean foods (meat, sugars, vegetable oils) relative to traditional Mediterranean staples.
If you are trying to follow a Mediterranean diet, be aware that global food systems are actively working against you by making non-Mediterranean foods (meat, sugar, refined oils) more available and affordable than traditional staples. To maintain adherence, you must consciously prioritize the availability of Mediterranean foods (olive oil, vegetables, legumes) and limit the intake of the 'western' foods that are increasingly dominating global food supplies.
The present study shows that countries from all over the world have drifted away from a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern... The changes in adherence to the MD over the last 40 years, varied considerably between the countries... Mediterranean countries showing the greatest departure from the MD... The availability of the Non-Mediterranean foods has increased to a much greater extent compared to Mediterranean foods.
Why this rating
Uses FAO Food Balance Sheets which are noted to overestimate consumption and lack individual-level data, but covers a large global sample over 40 years.
Source
Worldwide variation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003
Rui da Silva et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2009
DOI 10.1017/s1368980009990541
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