Best Mediterranean diet cookbooks for delicious and healthy recipes

When we think of the Mediterranean, we picture brilliant blue skies reflected in deep turquoise seas, white stone houses, fresh fish grilled to perfection and a permeating aroma of citrus and olive.

While indeed a magical picture, this associative image doesn’t accurately reflect the diverse collection of countries which constitute the Mediterranean. Rather, this is more or less an image of Greece alone.

Popularised in the 1960s by husband-and-wife duo physiologist Ancel Keys and chemist Margaret Keys, the Mediterranean Diet – contrary to popular belief – doesn’t consist of the actual culinary habits of Mediterranean countries. Instead, it is a diet inspired by the cuisines of regions and countries including southern Spain, southern Italy, France and Crete. So, if it’s the Mediterranean Diet you’re after, it’s time to expand on that lovely image of Grecian islands.

The Keys, credited with bringing the Mediterranean Diet to the mainstream, took an interest in Mediterranean eating habits after it was discovered that they had a greater life expectancy than those living elsewhere in Europe.