The Mediterranean diet is all the rage because it represents a way of life we’ve lost
The Mediterranean Diet: A Sociocultural Seismograph
The Promise of a Long, Healthy, Happy Existence
The Mediterranean diet has been touted as a way to achieve a long, healthy, and happy existence, living an active and community-based lifestyle under warm, sunny skies. It may be within reach, and it could be on your table. As a postdoctoral researcher, my research lies at the intersection of heritage and tourism studies, food and mental health. I conducted field research in Cilento, Soria, and Marseille, examining the inhabitants’ attachment to the Mediterranean diet and local and social dynamics at play.
Mirroring a Deep Societal Crisis
The Mediterranean diet represents a lifestyle that strengthens social relationships and is good for one’s health. However, the society in which we live turns the work of meeting these basic needs into something more complex. The health and social dimensions of the Mediterranean diet are seen as extremely desirable because they represent a balance that is lacking in globalized societies.
Gastronativism: Politics on the Plate
The food arena is one of the best places to express the anxieties and fears of contemporary life. The Mediterranean diet is part of this gastronativist approach, standing for a lifestyle that can be adopted. Fabio Parasecoli, a researcher in food studies, describes the anxieties caused by globalization as gastronativism, "the ideological use of food in politics to advance ideas about who belongs to a community (however defined) and who doesn’t."
Different Meanings of the Mediterranean Diet
We often hear about the Mediterranean diet from institutions and academics. What we don’t hear much about are the views of the communities that practise this way of life. My research aimed to understand the different ways in which the Mediterranean diet is defined, described, understood, and lived, depending on the community.
Cilento: A Lifestyle
In Cilento, the Mediterranean diet is synonymous with "lifestyle." It’s part of local identity and a reference to the wider socio-cultural sphere ("our lifestyle," the locals say).
Soria: A Nutritional Model
In Soria, it embodies a "nutritional model" and in the domain of health: the adjectives most commonly used to describe it are "healthy," "beneficial," and "health-conscious."
Marseille: A Reference to the Food Industry
In Marseille, the term "diet" conjures up images of fasting, deprivation, and abstinence, while the term "Mediterranean" refers to organic, seasonal, and healthy food. The reference here is more to the food industry.
A Sociocultural Seismograph
Whether understood as a nutritional model, a way of life, or an example of intangible heritage, the Mediterranean diet represents a way out of a system (societal, food, economic, environmental) in crisis and in constant search of reference points. Seismographs are instruments that record and measure earthquakes. Like a "sociocultural seismograph," the Mediterranean diet enables us to capture the vibrations, i.e., the changes taking place in contemporary society with which cultural (and dietary) practices must contend.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean diet is not just a dietary regimen; it is a symbol of a society in crisis, seeking a balance between individual needs and societal demands. As a sociocultural seismograph, it reflects the anxieties and fears of contemporary life and serves as a reference point for communities in search of a way out of a complex and changing world.
FAQs
Q: What is the Mediterranean diet?
A: The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle characterized by a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as olive oil.
Q: What are the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet?
A: The Mediterranean diet has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, as well as improved cognitive function and mental health.
Q: Is the Mediterranean diet just for the Mediterranean region?
A: No, the Mediterranean diet is not exclusive to the Mediterranean region. It can be adopted by anyone, regardless of their geographical location or cultural background.
Q: Can I follow the Mediterranean diet on a budget?
A: Yes, the Mediterranean diet does not have to be expensive. Focus on whole, seasonal foods, and shop at local markets or grow your own food to reduce costs.
Q: Is the Mediterranean diet just a fad?
A: No, the Mediterranean diet is not a fad. It is a well-researched and scientifically-backed dietary approach that has been associated with numerous health benefits and is widely recognized as a model of healthy eating.
