title: The Mediterranean diet: does it have to cost more?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the viability of the Mediterranean diet as an affordable low-energy-density model for dietary change.
  
  
  METHODS
  Foods characteristic of the Mediterranean diet were identified using previously published criteria. For these foods, energy density (kJ/100 g) and nutrient density in relation to both energy ($/MJ) and nutrient cost were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some nutrient-rich low-energy-density foods associated with the Mediterranean diet were expensive, however, others that also fit within the Mediterranean dietary pattern were not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Mediterranean diet provides a socially acceptable framework for the inclusion of grains, pulses, legumes, nuts, vegetables and both fresh and dried fruit into a nutrient-rich everyday diet. The precise balance between good nutrition, affordability and acceptable social norms is an area that deserves further study. The new Mediterranean diet can be a valuable tool in helping to stem the global obesity epidemic.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Sciences Program and the Center for Obesity Research, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. adamdrew@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drewnowski
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eichelsdoerfer
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000191:economics*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*
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