The Mediterranean Diet: Too Bad It Costs More to Eat Well

I recall, well, visiting my relatives in Europe as a kid and seeing my grandfather agile and alert while hiking in the mountains each day. Then, for dinner, it was healthy and fresh food, nothing processed or packaged.

But it's not just the Med. diet that's healthy, as many who live in the Scandinavian countries--and especially those living in East Asia--are known to live long and with better overall health even with advanced age. They simply eat more like our ancestors, who didn't have pre-packaged foods loaded with preservatives and various artificial flavorings.

Our systems are hardwired to respond best to the whole foods that our ancestors ate, and it's pretty obvious why we have more diet-based illnesses today, especially in Western nations, as we have turned from whole foods to fast foods over time. Those who still eat mostly fresh and non-processed foods as a large part of an overall diet tend to avoid hypertension and heart disease.

Of course it costs more to buy quality foods from Whole Foods Market, but it's a front-loaded investment in your long-term health. You pay more up front so that decades from now, you're not shelling out co-pays or deductibles to your insurance plan for multiple doctor visits.

Think about it this way: $100 today to shop well, or the same $100 in 20 years to pay your doctor's visit co-pay/deductible portion.

I'd rather splurge on olive oil or Asian stir-fry ingredients than to prop up a cardiologist's lavish life-style.

Thanks to US News for such a great feature article, though. Indeed, Americans need to eat more like Mediterraneans, East Asians, or Scandinavians if we are to prevent a future healthcare crisis that looks much like the current one.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 12:02AM September 26, 2009