Food is a fundamental part of the Mediterranean Lifestyle. The cultural dietary habits of this region are based on foods primarily from plant sources. There is emphasis on seasonality in which whole, fresh and locally grown foods are preferred over processed or highly refined pre-packaged foods. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains (such as cous cous, rice and polenta), are central ingredients in any Mediterranean dish. Olive oil is the key source of fat. Therefore, the majority of dietary fat is mono-unsaturated as opposed to saturated fat. Whole grain bread, elementary to the diets across all the Mediterranean countries, is dipped in olive oil rather than topped with butter or margarine. The total percent of daily energy (calories) intake from fat can be as high as 35%; however, no more than 7-8% of this total energy is from saturated fat.		There is low to moderate consumption of dairy and other animal food products. For instance, cheese consumption on the island of Crete has been calculated at a mere 3 ounces per week, with an additional cup of milk consumed per day, and that was usually in the form of yogurt. Other foods, such as fish, poultry, eggs and red meat appear rather sparingly on the plate, just under an average of 3 ounces per day. These foods constitute the periphery of the overall Mediterranean way of eating. Wine in consumed in moderation most often with meals and within family context. Typical wine consumption is 1-2 glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day.

Over the past several years, the traditional dietary habits of Greece, Crete and Southern Italy have been extensively examined. These countries have been included among those as having the lowest rate of chronic diseases in the world. High life expectancy was also among the highest for people living in these geographical areas and time of study. Though these dietary habits have proved beneficial to the people who live in this area of the world, the diet should not be considered a sole reason for the renown good health of the Mediterranean population. Many other aspects of every day life may contribute to the health of the Mediterranean peoples: daily physical activity including exercise within routine activities, or a walk rather than a drive; a spiritual connection with the environment; a relaxed sense of time; the maintenance and honor of family, tradition and religion, etc. All these elements are only parts of the whole that create the culture and unique lifestyle of the Mediterranean, and make this region one of the healthiest in the world.