Whole grains are now officially part of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, thanks to an international group of scientists who updated the pyramid at Oldways’ 15th Anniversary Mediterranean Diet Conference, held earlier this week in Cambridge, MA.

Although people around the Mediterranean sea of course ate whole grains for centuries, the last few hundred years have ensconced white bread, pasta and rice as “traditional” to the Mediterranean diet, so it was these foods that were originally depicted on the Pyramid when Oldways created it in 1993. This week’s scientific meeting added recent research to the unchanging gold standard Med Diet, to present a contemporary approach to delicious, healthy eating.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices are all now grouped together at the bottom of the pyramid, to emphasize that every meal should be based on these foods – and that their synergistic effects are as important as their individual benefits. We’re delighted to see whole grains get increased emphasis in the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, an important tool for encouraging healthy eating. (Cynthia)