The importance of the traditional Greek diet and lifestyle - as a personally responsible stance to the climate crisis and an answer to ensuring the sustainability of the planet - was highlighted by Grecotel Director of Operations Dimitris Kalaitzidakis in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) on Monday.
"The simple, humble way of life of our grandparents has become an international model and received worldwide scientific recognition, to shape and define modern international trends," Kalaitzidakis pointed out, ahead of the 3rd international conference "Cretan Way of Life: Past and Future" taking place in Crete between October 29 and November 2.
He stressed that this conclusion was not based on anecdotal evidence or oral traditions but had been scientifically documented, recognised and praised by American professor Ancel Keys, initiator and scholar of the "Study of the Seven Countries", in 1960.
"It turns out that our 'illiterate' grandparents were at least 65 years ahead of their time," he commented, pointing out that their lifestyle met a number of the current criteria for living sustainably.
Every household was self-sufficient until the early 1970s and did not need any money, said Kalaitzidakis and explained: "Our grandparents did not throw anything away (No Food Waste), they used everything (Nose to Tail), they repurposed the food that was left over in an inventive way, improvising delicious recipes (Recycling), they never cooked their food in a hurry (Slow Food), they enhanced the variety and taste of the food, by foraging wild grasses, wild mushrooms, snails, etc. (Foraging). Their diet was characterised by the extensive use of legumes and cereals (Alternative Plant-Based Diet), their life was based on moderation, harmonious coexistence with nature, ecological balance (Eco-Friendly Lifestyle), they practiced mindful eating (Mindful Eating), while what they did not produce they obtained by exchanging products with each other (Exchange Economy).
"Our grandparents, apart from having the aforementioned healthy lifestyle, were also industrious people. Every day they walked 13 km on average and worked hard, doing laborious farm work from early morning until late at night. Every day they had a purpose in life, the survival of their family. They planned for each day and each season, what they should prepare for and do. Please note that, according to studies, having a purpose in life extends it by up to seven years," said Kalaitzidakis.
He also emphasised the largely stress-free lives enjoyed by older generations, noting that they lived social, happy lives, in spite of the difficulties they faced, eating and drinking in moderation, helping and supporting their fellow villagers, as well as having well developed religious feelings and following their local customs and traditions.
All the above elements, he pointed out, had been shown by scientists to be characteristic of so-called 'Blue Zones', the five areas in the world whose inhabitants were the longest-lived and healthiest.
Kalaitzidakis pointed out that this healthy lifestyle was abandoned in the 60s with the adoption of Western lifestyles imposed by advertising and marketing, such as TV dinners, frozen meals and fast food. Now, he added, the old standards were coming back with the support of science.
The 3rd international conference "Cretan Way of Life: Past and Future", organised by Grecotel with the Hellenic Center of Excellence for Health and Wellness at the Amirandes Hotel, will serve as a platform where expert scientists can present new data in the field, demonstrating the value of the traditional Cretan diet and lifestyle.
Speakers will include the highly acclaimed expert Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and a number of Greek academics who have excelled in this area, such as Nektarios Tavernarakis and professor emeritus of the School of Medicine of the University of Athens, Antonia Trichopoulou.