Mediterranean diet expected to gain popularity among U.S. consumers

The group says it is launching a lengthy campaign to help educate American consumers on the health benefits of the Mediterranean style of eating. Oldways will then create a consumer-friendly symbol -- much like its "Whole Grains" stamp -- to help flag food products that fit with the Mediterranean diet.

The science behind the heart-healthy Mediterranean style of eating -- which emphasizes fruits, cereals, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil -- gained popularity in the media in recent years. Oldways says it plans to take advantage the science to help the diet become popular in the United States.

"Governments have failed every time they've tried to persuade the public to eat and drink healthily," said Oldways president Dun Gifford. "But food manufacturers respond to demand from consumers. Our job is to create consumer demand for healthy foods eaten in a healthy pattern."

Oldways, a Boston-based think tank, says it expects to unveil its "Mediterranean" symbol sometime in the first quarter of 2007. The symbol's unveiling would also kick off Oldways' four-year campaign to help promote the healthy Mediterranean lifestyle.

"The new scientific evidence is there," said Gifford. "The second step is to communicate this evidence to consumers, and the third step involves connecting the science with specific foods."

Though Gifford says it will take some time for U.S. manufacturers and consumers to become comfortable with the Mediterranean lifestyle, he doesn't doubt that the diet will be a success.

"We expect the education campaign to last four years, as that's how long something like this takes to be effective and develop durability," Gifford said. "Merchandisers and food manufacturers need to know that this is something they can trust, something that will be around for a long time and something that will get the attention of people."

The Mediterranean diet is expected to be more successful than other popular diets because it is non-restrictive, emphasizing eating plenty of the right foods, including pasta and vegetables.

###

Related Articles

Additional Resources: mediterranean diet healthy diet healthy eating habits	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/021076.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/021076.html">Mediterranean diet expected to gain popularity among U.S. consumers</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts