The Mediterranean diet: does it have to cost more?
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.
Drewnowski
Adam
A
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
Eichelsdoerfer
Petra
P
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*
N Engl J Med. 2008 Jul 17;359(3):229-41
18635428
World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2003;916:i-viii, 1-149, backcover
12768890
Am J Prev Med. 2004 Oct;27(3 Suppl):154-62
15450626
J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Jun;107(6):1028-32
17524726
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jul;82(1 Suppl):265S-273S
16002835
Atherosclerosis. 2003 Sep;170(1):115-24
12957689
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Mar;60(3):434-6
16306928
J Nutr. 2007 Jul;137(7):1815-20
17585036
Obes Rev. 2004 May;5 Suppl 1:4-104
15096099
Arch Intern Med. 2007 Dec 10;167(22):2461-8
18071168
N Engl J Med. 2003 Jun 26;348(26):2599-608
12826634
Circulation. 2008 Jan 15;117(2):169-75
18086924
Nutr Rev. 1998 Dec;56(12):347-53
9884582
J Nutr. 2008 Jan;138(1):54-9
18156404
Nutr Rev. 1997 Feb;55(2):31-43
9155216
Public Health Nutr. 2006 Aug;9(5):584-95
16923290
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):721-32
16210699