Is Spanish Food Considered Mediterranean?

We’ve all heard and read about the Mediterranean diet, which seems to be so popular in newspapers, magazines, and books, especially the diet. Spain is one of more than a dozen countries in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying plenty of sunshine. Therefore, Spanish food contains a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts, a wide variety of fish from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as red meat and pork. Although each Mediterranean country has its own cuisine and unique eating habits, there are general characteristics that are the same throughout the Mediterranean, including Spain.

The Mediterranean diet is not really a diet (this term comes from Western countries) it is simply a habit, a healthy way of eating, and part of the Spanish lifestyle!

The Mediterranean diet has been one of the healthiest in the world and its medical advantages have been demonstrated to can help protect you from chronic diseases. As with all diets, the most basic dishes, the most common foods, and the freshest ingredients will result in these being healthier. The healthiest way to eat is on par with the seasons and Mediterranean dishes do that!

Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, potatoes, nuts, and beans are consumed daily in large quantities. Olive oil is the main source of fat, which is monounsaturated fat (sometimes called “good fats”), and does not increase blood cholesterol in the same way that saturated fats and fats do.

Fish is consumed several times a week and contains omega-3 oils, believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. Meat and poultry are consumed in small quantities. Wine is consumed in moderation.

So Is Spanish Food Considered Mediterranean?

Spanish gastronomy is considered the heart of Mediterranean food. There is a great use of olive oil, wine, and tomato, ingredients that characterize that type of cuisine. The variety of regions of the country contributes to a diversity of vegetables, cereals, vegetables, meats, and fish. That makes the dishes richer for their ingredients than for their preparation.

In the traditional Spanish festivals in all the restaurants and bars, you will always find some of these healthy foods and tapas that are the most Spanish popular and all kinds of sandwiches and montaditos, always served accompanied by a good glass of good Spanish wine.

For Spanish cuisine, olive oil is the mainstay and the basis of the Mediterranean diet. We all know how good it is for the heart, for the fight against cancer and it is an “anti-aging” antioxidant. Olive oil, however, should be used sparingly. Some of these foods are paella, a typical dish of the southern region of the country, rice, chicken meat, rabbit, snails, legumes, and vegetables. Gazpacho, a cold soup of tomatoes and vinegar, is well known in Andalusia. The potato omelet, known throughout Spain, eggs, and potatoes. And finally the escalivada, also well known, is a roast with tomato, pepper, onion, eggplant, olive oil, and salt.

Fish is an important part of Mediterranean cuisine. Farm-raised fish, in seawater, are fed pellets from land fishmeal, meal, and oil, this makes the fish grow more quickly. All fish have the same taste because they are eating the same food and are given antibiotics against fish disease.