FUNDACIÓN DIETA MEDITERRÁNEA » NEWS http://fdmed.org/en/ The Mediterranean Diet Foundation (FDM) was created in 1996 to preserve the lifestyle that the people of the Mediterranean have shared during thousands of years. Scientists have shown that this lifestyle is beneficial to the health and welfare of people. It also contributes to the maintenance of sustainable agriculture and protecting the environment. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:03:45 +0000 es hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The FDM granted with the Spanish Academy of Nutrition’s Mataix Award for the Best Institutional Initiative for Nutrition http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-granted-with-the-spanish-academy-of-nutritions-mataix-award-for-the-best-institutional-initiative-for-nutrition/ http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-granted-with-the-spanish-academy-of-nutritions-mataix-award-for-the-best-institutional-initiative-for-nutrition/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:14:06 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=13532 Continue Reading...]]> On December 12th, 2011, the Columbus House in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was the scene for the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Food Sciences’s 2011 Mataix Awards to a Lifetime Career in the Field of Nutrition – Magdalena Villanueva Cabrera – Best Institutional Initiative for Nutrition – Mediterranean Diet Foundation-, Best Private or Corporate Initiative (Ex aequo) – Coca-Cola Spain and José Sánchez Peñate – and Best Research in Human Nutrition – José María Ordovas Muñoz.

The four awards on the third edition are:

1-      Award to the Lifetime Career in the Field of Nutrition granted to Magdalena Villanueva Cabrera. Born in Peru, this midwife came to Spain when she was 18 years old and started to work in different hospitals in Zaragoza in the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and then in Madrid, in the emergency room at the La Paz Maternity Ward. 20 years ago she went to the Canary Islands and worked at the Canary Island’s Health Service Maternal Infantil Hospital as a midwife. She created the Canary Islands Breastfeeding Action Association and has since been a tireless fighter for the rights of children and their mothers. She coincided with Prof. Mataix in Las Palmas, where she coordinated support groups for nursing mothers and has sacrificed her personal life in giving her time and support to all those worried mothers. Thanks to people like her life nutrition begins the way it should: with breast milk.

2-      Best Institutional Initiative for Nutrition, awarded to the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, received by its President, Lluís Serra Majem. Since last November 16th 2010, the Mediterranean Diet has been included on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO. The objective of this initiative was to safeguard the vast cultural heritage that is the Mediterranean Diet and to share and disseminate internationally its values and benefits.

The Mediterranean Diet is a cultural, historical, social, territorial and environmental heritage transmitted from generation to generation for centuries, and is intimately related to the lifestyle of the Mediterranean peoples throughout their history. A legacy passed in a ceaseless flow of time and space, a living heritage, unique and outstanding cultural spaces, practices that promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity, expression of sociability and communication between their peoples and individuals, the only way of rooting individuals to their places of origin, an integrative element of community with nature and history, a defence mechanism of agriculture and rural development, landscape and environment. And a full dietary pattern as well as benefits to individual and public health. From this conviction, Spain, along with Italy, Greece and Morocco, deposited at the UNESCO Secretariat the nomination that is already a reality, under the coordination of the Mediterranean Diet Foundation.

3-      Best Private or Corporate Initiative. To Coca-Cola Spain, received by Andres Urrialde de Andres, Nutrition Director, for the company’s continued support to the training of professionals and the impetus to the emerging area of hydration, and José Sanchez Peñate for innovation in the dairy sector, introducing olive oil as a fatty excipient pioneering line of dairy products.

4-      Best Researcher in Human Nutrition. Award that the Academy grants to the most productive and influential researcher from a Spanish institution working in the area of human nutrition. Awarded to Dr. Jose M. Ordovas Muñoz, Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University in Boston and Director of the Centre

During the session, the following doctors were named Numerary members: Cristina Campoy Folgoso of the University of Granada and Pedro Betancor León, of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, who spoke on the role of nutrition in metabolic programming during the conception and pregnancy (early nutrition programming) and metabolic surgery in diabetes, respectively.

José Mataix Verdú (Yecla 1941 – Granada 2008) represents one of the most important figures in the field of nutrition in Spain such as Grande Covian, Gregorio Varela, Marañon, Bengoa or Turró among many others, and his life was closely related to researching the Mediterranean Diet and Olive Oil.  After his tragic and untimely death, the Spanish Academy of Nutrition established the Mataix Awards, in its first edition granted a commemorative bust to his widow.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-granted-with-the-spanish-academy-of-nutritions-mataix-award-for-the-best-institutional-initiative-for-nutrition/feed/ 0 FDM Executive Vice President Francisco Sensat participates in the Meeting “Millennium old Olive Trees Sénia Territory” http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-executive-vice-president-francisco-sensat-participates-in-the-meeting-millennium-old-olive-trees-senia-territory/ http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-executive-vice-president-francisco-sensat-participates-in-the-meeting-millennium-old-olive-trees-senia-territory/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:54:09 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=13515 Continue Reading...]]>
Francisco Sensat
Francisco Sensat
On December 1st to the 4th, the Meeting “Millennium old olive Tress of the Senia Territory” took place in Ulldecona, Tarragona. The four day meeting consisted of various events, amongh which the scientific-technical symposium and an informative workshop for the general public. The FDM Executive Vice President took part with a communication entitled The Mediterranean Diet Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the scientific-technical symposium that took place on December 1st, along with representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, the Biodiversity Foundation and the Obra Social Catalunya Caixa.
In addition, the meeting also featured the presentation of the new crop of 8 brands of olive oil, the inauguration of an exhibition of 30 panels on olive trees from the Sénia Territory.
The Sénia Commonwealth comprises a total of 24 municipalities belonging to the Autonomous Communities of Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia, 18 of which house a total of 4,080 olive trees, monumentally large (more than 3.50 meters of trunk perimitre to 1.30 meters tall) of the farga variety, a very old variety, harvested alternately and manually, which is has no precedent worldwide.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-executive-vice-president-francisco-sensat-participates-in-the-meeting-millennium-old-olive-trees-senia-territory/feed/ 0 FDM participates in the International Technical Workshop organized by the CIHEAM-MAIB http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-participates-in-the-international-technical-workshop-organized-by-the-ciheam-maib/ http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-participates-in-the-international-technical-workshop-organized-by-the-ciheam-maib/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:58:26 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=13438 Continue Reading...]]> On November 28th and 29th, the Mediterranean Diet Foundation participated in the International technical workshop organized by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM-MAIB) in Italy to develop a consensus on GUIDELINES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET.

Thirty experts from around the world were involved in the formulation of the guidelines based on a multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary and intersectorial effort around priority areas such as:

- Nutrition, lifestyles and health,

- Social and cultural aspects and economic issues related to the sustainability of the Mediterranean dietary pattern,

- Environmental impacts of the Mediterranean agro-food systems on natural resources and climate change,

- Contribution of the Mediterranean diet biodiversity promotion of Mediterranean agro-food systems.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/fdm-participates-in-the-international-technical-workshop-organized-by-the-ciheam-maib/feed/ 0 Scientific Sessions of the Catalan Centre of Nutrition http://fdmed.org/en/scientific-sessions-of-the-catalan-centre-of-nutrition/ http://fdmed.org/en/scientific-sessions-of-the-catalan-centre-of-nutrition/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:45:36 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=13337 Continue Reading...]]> The Catalan Centre of Nutrition Institute of Catalan Studies (CCNIEC) organized on November 17th the Scientific Sessions of the Catalan Centre of Nutrition at the University Rovira i Virgili. This first edition focused primarily on functional foods, covering topics such as health claims of food items, studies involved, biomarkers, the beneficial effects of functional foods highlighted as olive oil and nuts and bioactive components such as polyphenols, procianidians and fatty acids. The high quality of presentations and studies exposed prove that research on functional foods is remarkable.

The sessions brought together over 120 participants and ended with the CCNIEC awards, the Ramon Turró award given to Professor Emeritus Ramon Segura of the University of Barcelona for his distinguished career in the field of nutrition, and the award to Font Vella for the best initiative in the food industry.

The CCNIEC consists of all the research groups dedicated to food, nutrition and metabolism of Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic, including the Mediterranean Diet Foundation.

For more information: http://www.ccniec.cat

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/scientific-sessions-of-the-catalan-centre-of-nutrition/feed/ 0 First anniversary of the inclusion of the Mediterranean Diet on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the UNESCO. http://fdmed.org/en/first-anniversary-of-the-inclusion-of-the-mediterranean-diet-on-the-representative-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity-of-the-unesco/ http://fdmed.org/en/first-anniversary-of-the-inclusion-of-the-mediterranean-diet-on-the-representative-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity-of-the-unesco/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:00:40 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=13297 Continue Reading...]]>
Mediterranean Diet - Intangible Cultural Heritage
Mediterranean Diet - Intangible Cultural Heritage
This week we celebrate the first anniversary of the decision taken by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage to include the Mediterranean Diet on the Representative list for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With this decision made on November 16th, 2010, the UNESCO gave a universal character to this great heritage shared by the Mediterranean people, who have acquired the commitment to safeguard and protect this item based on the set of skills, knowledge and traditions ranging from landscape to the table shared by all Mediterranean people and has been transmitted from generation to generation.

The transnational nomination was developed and presented jointly by Greece, Italy, Morocco and Spain and technically coordinated by the Mediterranean Diet Foundation. In Spain, this project was led by the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, and Culture, and had the support of the autonomous regions, municipalities and the civil society as a whole through thousands of personal commitments and hundreds of associations.

The four countries that submitted the nomination are considering extending the declaration to other Mediterranean States that have already expressed their interest in acceding to the nomination and meetings have already been held in order to make this expansion a reality.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/first-anniversary-of-the-inclusion-of-the-mediterranean-diet-on-the-representative-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity-of-the-unesco/feed/ 0 World Food Day “Food prices: from crisis to stability” http://fdmed.org/en/world-food-day-food-prices-from-crisis-to-stability/ http://fdmed.org/en/world-food-day-food-prices-from-crisis-to-stability/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:40 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=12990 Continue Reading...]]>
World Food Day
World Food Day
This theme was chosen for World Food Day 2011 to shed light on the need to mitigate the effects of the crisis on access to food. The volatility of food prices on the world market is one of the factors that most directly affect the ability to feed the population, especially in those sectors most vulnerable to access food resources. Rising world prices on staple food between 2005 and 2008, with recently undergoing upward drastic changes are a serious threat to food security for all countries, and in particular developing. Unfortunately, rapid market fluctuations are an issue that are beyond the scope of the farmer and the consumer, while access to the option of being informed to ensure safe and healthy living for the wellbeing of you and your family is a right which every citizen should enjoy. Although there is strong political responsibility on behalf of governments and states to ensure the stage of food sovereignty, each individual can eat well and healthy on their own following a few simple tips to promote the Mediterranean Diet.

With this mission and purpose of protecting the fundamental right of every human being access to food, below are some useful and practical tips to access health and affordable food for all:

Follow the Mediterranean Diet

Following the principles of the Mediterranean Diet, rich in fresh and seasonal vegetable origin foods is an economical way to maintain a healthy, varied and balanced diet.

Eat fresh and local products

Minimally processed, fresh and local foods are the most suitable as they benefit the environment and promote the local economy as well as being beneficial to our pockets.

Keep in mind the seasonality of food

Take advantage of seasonal food, especially in the case of fruits and vegetables, we can consume them in their prime, both for their nutrient content and their aroma and flavour.

Buy smart

Plan in advance what food items you need and how much. Writing a grocery list will help you make a smart purchase, ie. more nutritious and economical.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/world-food-day-food-prices-from-crisis-to-stability/feed/ 0 The FDM presents the New Mediterranean Diet Pyramid http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-presents-the-new-mediterranean-diet-pyramid/ http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-presents-the-new-mediterranean-diet-pyramid/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:25:31 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=12931 Continue Reading...]]>

The Mediterranean Diet pyramid is updated to adapt to the new way of life

The new model takes into account qualitative and quantitative elements for the selection of foods

The traditional Mediterranean Diet (MD) pyramid has been updated to adapt to today’s way of life. As an initiative of the Mediterranean Diet Foundation and with the collaboration of numerous international entities, a wide range of experts in nutrition, anthropology, sociology and agriculture have reached a consensus in a new richer design incorporating qualitative elements.

The new pyramid follows the previous pattern: at the base, foods that should sustain the diet, and at the upper levels, foods to be eaten in moderate amounts. Moreover, social and cultural elements characteristic of the Mediterranean way of life are incorporated in the graphic design. It is not just about prioritizing some food groups from others, but also paying attention to the way of selecting, cooking and eating. It also reflects the composition and number of servings of main meals.

The Mediterranean Diet is an excellent model for healthy living. Today there is general awareness of the relationship between the Mediterranean Diet and health. Diaita, the ancient Greek word from which derives diet, means balanced lifestyle and this is what the Mediterranean Diet is, the lifestyle of the people of the Mediterranean. It is a way of understanding life and eating that is based on local agricultural products, recipes and cooking methods of each place passed on from generation to generation, shared meals, celebrations and traditions. All this along with moderate daily physical activity complement this lifestyle that modern science invites us to adopt to benefit our health. For these reasons, on November 16th, 2010, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage agreed to include the Mediterranean Diet on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and its protective effect against chronic diseases has been well established by the scientific community. This new pyramid includes all the food groups; it is in the proportions and the frequencies that relies a healthy or unhealthy diet. This food consumption pattern is addressed to a healthy adult population and should be adapted to the specific needs of children, pregnant women and other health conditions.

This pyramid is a result of international consensus and is based on the latest scientific evidence in the of health and nutrition published in hundreds of scientific articles in the last decades, thus contributing to the harmonization of educational tools used in the promotion of the Mediterranean Diet and responds to the need for a common framework among Mediterranean countries. The use and promotion of this pyramid is recommended without any restrictions and has been translated and is available in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Euskera, French, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese and Greek. The 10 versions of the pyramid can be downloaded from the FDM website, www.fdmed.org.

The supporting entities of the new design of the Mediterranean Diet pyramid are:

  • Fundación Dieta Mediterránea
  • Forum on Mediterranean Food Cultures
  • Hellenic Health Foundation
  • Hebrew University
  • International Commission on the Anthropology of Food and Nutrition
  • Università Politecnica delle Marche
  • Federation of European Nutrition Societies
  • Federation of African Nutrition Societies
  • Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea
  • Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes
  • International Union of Nutritional Sciences
  • Centro Interuniversitario Internazionales di Studi sulle Culture Alimentari Mediterranee

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/the-fdm-presents-the-new-mediterranean-diet-pyramid/feed/ 0 The Ministry of Agriculture organizes the Mediterranean Diet Week http://fdmed.org/en/the-ministry-of-agriculture-organizes-the-mediterranean-diet-week/ http://fdmed.org/en/the-ministry-of-agriculture-organizes-the-mediterranean-diet-week/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:48:33 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=12889 Continue Reading...]]>

It will include, among other activities, the presentation of the Spanish Breakfast initiative, the Paradores and Mediterranean Diet “The little gourmet”, the “10 principles of Bread” and the new “Mediterranean Diet Pyramid”.

The week aims to disseminate the concept of the Mediterranean Diet as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, including aspects of lifestyle, culture, history, tradition, production, food and the values of this healthy eating pattern.

The Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs has organized for the week of October 11th to 14th the celebration of the Mediterranean Diet week, through a wide range of activities to be taken place at its headquarters at Paseo Infanta Isabel, aiming to spread the concept of the Mediterranean Diet as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, including aspects of lifestyle, culture, history, tradition, production, food and the values of this healthy eating pattern.

The initiative also has the objective to share Mediterranean Diet values with the citizens, to have synergies with certain sectors and to read hotel and restaurant chains.

Tuesday, October 11th opens the week, giving way to the Inter Olive Oil which will detail the evolution of the “Spanish Breakfast” campaign, since its introduction during the Gourmet trade show, and the support received by the main chains of associations and the industry.

On Tuesday, Paradores of Spain present the Menu and the “Little Gourmet” book, while the Interprofessional Bread Association (INCERHPAN) present the “Bread recommendations”. These presentations will be accompanied by those offered by the Spanish Association of Cereal Manufacturers and the Spanish Association of Juice Manufacturers.

On Wednesday October 12th, and part of the activities of the National Day, there will be an open house for citizens to visit the Mediterranean Diet exhibition, installed in the entrance of the building, consisting of posters, videos and still life, where attendees will have brochures on products that are part of the Mediterranean Diet. This exhibition will run until October 14th.

As part of this programming, the MARM will present on Thursday, October 13th, the actions taken following the recognition of the Mediterranean Diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the campaign for the promotion of the Mediterranean Diet by the website www.alimentacion.es.

That same day, the President of the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, Dr. Lluis Serra, will present the new “Mediterranean Diet Pyramid”, which indicates the frequency of food consumption for a healthy adult.

Finally , on Friday October 14th the new programs financed by the EU will be presented: the Plan on Nutrition and Communication of Dairy Products by the National Dairy Industries Federation; and “Original Flavours: The Mediterranean Essence”, by CONFECARNE, DOP Baena olive oil and DOP Ribera del Duero.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/the-ministry-of-agriculture-organizes-the-mediterranean-diet-week/feed/ 0 October 1st International Day of Older Persons http://fdmed.org/en/october-1st-international-day-of-older-persons/ http://fdmed.org/en/october-1st-international-day-of-older-persons/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:04:36 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=12570 Continue Reading...]]>
International Day of Older Persons
International Day of Older Persons
Aging in a healthy way, thanks to a balanced diet and physical fitness is one of the implicit rights that fall within the five principles for older persons which were approved by the United Nations in the resolution 46/91 of 1991 (independence, participation, care, fulfillment and dignity).

Although access to food and services to health care is not always guaranteed for all, knowledge and social awareness of the possibilities to following a healthy and balanced lifestyle should be accessible. Older people are one of the most vulnerable in this regard. We must bear in mind that older does not mean ill, and that only a few easy but steady exercises, such as following a healthy diet and having an adequate level of physical activity, you are helping to address this new stage of life in the best possible way.

With this purpose and to help you with some tips that you can tailor to your own needs, the Mediterranean Diet Foundation recommends:

1. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is the key to a healthy life. Its rationale is to offer variety, seasonal, multiple flavours, colours and moderation in servings.

2. Ensure the Mediterranean Diet principles in your daily routine following these recommendations:

  • Have vegetables as your main course or as a side dish.
  • Use fruit as a frequent dessert.
  • Eat a handful of nuts every day
  • Prepare traditional dishes such as stews or soups based on vegetables and legumes.
  • Prioritize fish, eggs, lean meats and vegetables in main courses.
  • Save sausages and other fatty meats for special occasions.
  • Always use olive oil It’s the best choice for cooking and dressing.
  • Drink 6-8 glasses of water or liquids (tea, lean broths, soups and juices) a day.
  • Drink wine in moderation during meals (1-2 glasses a day).
  • - Moderate your consumption of sugars (cakes, ice cream, candy, sugary drinks, etc.). They prevent you from eating healthy and nutritious foods.

3. A healthy lifestyle requires, in addition to a balanced diet, a certain amount of physical activity. Being active every day is the cheapest medicine there is since it can be combined with household chores or other moderate activities like walking, dancing, swimming, etc.

4. The healthy lifestyle that the Mediterranean Diet offers us is perfectly compatible with enjoying delicious dishes.

Taking care your diet to promote your health and help prevent the risk of chronic diseases as well as cardiovascular diseases.

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]]> http://fdmed.org/en/october-1st-international-day-of-older-persons/feed/ 0 World Heart Day http://fdmed.org/en/world-heart-day/ http://fdmed.org/en/world-heart-day/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:03:35 +0000 Isabel http://fdmed.org/?p=12582 Continue Reading...]]>
© World Heart Federation
© World Heart Federation
September 29th marks the eleventh anniversary of the celebration of World Heart Day. In the year 2000, the World Heart Federation, a nongovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, created the World Heart Day campaign to raise awareness about the threat posed by cardiovascular disease. These diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming 17.1 million lives each year, 29 percent of all annual deaths around the world.

The theme this year is “One world, one home, one heart.” Most of the steps to follow to keep your heart healthy seem of common sense, follow a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean Diet, – eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, avoiding saturated fats – Moderate alcohol consumption, avoid smoking, exercise at least 30 minutes a day and avoid stressful situations whenever possible. Healthy habits help control certain risk factors like hypertension, cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity and prevent cardiovascular disease.

In collaboration with the WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes events in more than 100 countries such as health check ups, organized walks, runs, fitness sessions, public speeches, plays, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sport tournaments. Visit the World Heart Federation website (www.world-heart-federation.org) for more information about the activities organized in your region and participate!

 

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