



Greeks currently living under the coronavirus lockdown hav been advised to eat healthily by none other than Sotiris Tsiodras, the soft-spoken scientist heading up the country’s response to the epidemic.

Tsiodras, who, according to a recent poll, is the most popular man in Greece at the moment suggested on Monday that the best cuisine is Greece’s traditional diet, a version of the Mediterranean diet, noting that due to the quarantine there is now plenty of time to prepare homemade, healthy meals.

As he said, in his typical helpful, encouraging manner “it is a unique opportunity to improve our eating habits, to cook at home and to follow the Greek traditional diet.”

“People are advised to follow the national dietary guide for adults, which is based on the Greek traditional diet, which — in turn — is a version of the traditional Mediterranean diet,” Tsiodras said.

As he explained, “the traditional Mediterranean diet includes a lot of water, a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, limited consumption of red meat and a choice of lean portions.”

This ancient food-way mentioned by Tsiodras, also includes “seafood and fish, frequent consumption of healthy beans and legumes and olive oil.”

As for foods that should be restricted, the epidemiologist mentioned sugar and salt — and any products that contain these substances.

In addition, according to the professor, people should “engage in daily physical activity in consultation with their doctor to maintain a normal and stable body weight.”



