Is it really possible to eat a healthy and balanced diet in Greece? Elena K. knows the subject well. She studied nutrition and has enjoyed Greece for many years. She tells us all about the benefits of Greek cuisine and especially about the wise choices to make in taverns if you try eating healthy and balanced in Greece.
Stop with the preconceived ideas!
“All of the appetizer choices are fried, the main dishes are too fatty and the desserts are too sweet! “
Too often I hear tourists or expats in Greece complain about not finding healthy and balanced options in Greek taverns. This is not entirely false, but it is not entirely true either! If we take the time to look at the most traditional Greek dishes – which are on the menu of any “taverna” worthy of the name – we discover a tasty Mediterranean cuisine known for its preventive and curative properties.
What makes a dish healthy and balanced?
Nutritional intake
The nutritional contributions essential to the proper functioning of our body and mind. And Greek cuisine has no shortage of them, as it draws from its fertile and sunny lands a multitude of tasty, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. In addition, they are generally not very transformed and are in season, which makes them rich in nutritional qualities.
The fun!
If the nutritional intake nourishes the body, the taste, smell, texture and visual appeal bring satisfaction, comfort and joy of life. You’ll notice that you’ll only need small amounts to feel full. Greek mezzes offer a myriad of colorful, fragrant and tasty options that will satisfy all our senses.
The balance of flavors
According to traditional medicine principles, each flavor has particular effects on our physiology and on the maintenance of our overall balance. Thus, salty, astringent, pungent, sweet, bitter and acid should be present at every meal and in proportions appropriate to our individual constitution. Thanks to the use of variousspices and herbs, Greek cuisine offers a diet adapted to the needs of everyone.
Digestibility
That is to say an optimal cooking and association of food to an easy digestion. Under no circumstances should you feel heavy or tired after a meal. On the contrary, we need to feel energized. The many soups, marinated dishes, simmered and then garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon, aromatic herbs or spices are a good example.
Finally, the framework is not to be neglected
And for that, the Greeks are the kings! Indeed, in Greece, the dishes are shared with family or friends, which leaves each one to consume according to his desires, his feelings and his needs. The meal is a sacred moment!
So what are these healthy and tasty Greek dishes to treat yourself while staying healthy?
Here is a selection of the best known:
- Horta – Cooked salad with wild herbs
- Laxanika vrasta – boiled vegetables according to the season (potatoes, zucchini, green beans, beets, carrots etc.)
- Fava – Split pea puree
- Gigantes Plaki – White beans in tomato sauce
- Dolmadakia – Stuffed vine leaves
- Pipperies gemistes – Stuffed peppers
- Spanakoriso – Rice with spinach
- Arakas – Baked Peas and Vegetables
- Briam – Baked eggplant and vegetables
- Bamies – Okras with tomato sauce
- Kolokithosoupa – Pumpkin soup
- Fasolada – White bean and vegetable soup
- Fakes – Lentil Soup
- Revithia – Chickpea Soup
- Kotosoupa or Avgolemono – Chicken soup
- Psarosoupa – Fish soup
- Sardellas – Baked sardines
Eating healthy and balanced food in Greece is possible and at a very competitive price. All you have to do is take your list with you to the taverns! These recipes are also very simple to reproduce at home.
=> For more information, see our Gastronomy section.
Updated April 23, 2024