How healthy is Greek food to you?

[axariotisxy]

I’m Greek and I eat a lot of traditional Greek food, both at home and when I travel. I’ve always seen Greek cuisine as healthy—lots of vegetables, olive oil, legumes, fish, and simple ingredients. But I was thinking about how some of our dishes, like moussaka, pastitsio, or baklava, are definitely on the heavier side. They're delicious, but pretty rich!

Still, my perception is that in Greece, people don’t eat those types of dishes every day. They’re more for Sundays, holidays, or name days—special occasions. The everyday meals are often lighter, like lentils, horta, grilled fish, or fasolakia.

So I wanted to ask—how healthy is Greek food to you personally? Do you think it lives up to its “Mediterranean Diet” reputation? Or do you find yourself eating more of the heavier, indulgent dishes on a regular basis? Curious to hear everyone’s take!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

Great topic! I definitely see Greek food as healthy overall, especially when you look at what’s eaten day-to-day. Like you mentioned, the foundation is so strong—legumes, seasonal vegetables, olive oil, fish, and simple preparations. Dishes like lentil soup (fakes), fasolakia, and grilled sardines are super nutritious and don’t feel heavy at all.

I agree that moussaka, pastitsio, and baklava are more “treat” meals, often saved for Sundays or family gatherings. I think that’s what keeps the overall diet balanced—those richer dishes are part of the culture, but not eaten constantly.

When I stick to the lighter, traditional meals, I feel amazing—energized and satisfied without being overly full. It’s all about portion sizes and frequency. Greek food totally lives up to its Mediterranean Diet reputation for me, especially when you eat like a local and not like a tourist in a taverna every night!

Curious to hear how others find that balance, too.