Greek food habits

Table of contents

1. When do Greeks eat?
2. Sunday meal
3. Mediterranean diet
4. Signature Greek dishes
5. Greek desserts
6. Famous Greek Regional dishes from:
Macedonia, Epirus and Crete
7. Greek delicacies
8. Modern Greek cuisine and streetfood
9. Greek culture

When do Greeks eat?

In order to have the energy to “survive” the day, Greeks eat three basic meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nowadays, due to globalisation and the fast pace of life, Greeks also enjoy brunch, which is a bold “crossover” between breakfast and lunch.

Smaller meals are called “dekatiano” and “apogeumatino” snacks: these are also consumed between the meals mentioned above. Toast, fruits and juices intend to keep the people active and get them going.

Breakfast
Greeks, like many other people, begin their day by having breakfast. Eaten at 8 a.m., before adults go to work and kids head off to school, breakfast includes: eggs with bacon, bread with butter, honey and/or jam, cake, cereal, and of course, milk, orange juice, tea and/or coffee.

Lunch
When we arrive home, a delicious, home-cooked meal is waiting for us. Traditionally, it is made by mothers or grandmas and eaten at 2 p.m. or whenever adults are back from work. Usual Greek main courses are: any type of meat with patatoes and/or rice with salad on the side, pasta, soups, peas or lentils (which are usually eaten on Wednesdays and Fridays) along with traditional Greek pies.

Dinner
Greeks enjoy their dinner, whenever another exhausting yet creative day is over, usually around 9 p.m. Dinner can either be something they have prepared themselves (cereal, yoghurt with honey, fruits and nuts); they may also have the same dish they had for lunch or indulge in fast food (pizza, souvlaki, gyros).

Sunday meal

Sunday meal: family time!
The Sunday meal, however, is not about food, at least not only about that. Even if the most simple dish were to be served, the Sunday meal is the time when parents and children get together and are sometimes joined by other family members (uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents). They get to discuss the events of the previous week, the goals to be achieved, the current political and economic state. They make fun of each other and laugh. They dream. They make memories. They have disagreements that are resolved pretty quickly. They make plans about trips or the future
Overall, the Sunday meal is essential not only for the Greek food culture, but the family as well. This way, family members show each other their affection and dedication.

What do Greeks eat?

Traditional Greek cuisine
Greece is home to some of the finest ingredients in the world: Salt from the Mediterranean, olive oil, bread, fresh vegetables, feta cheese, olives, fresh fish and seafood
Traditional Greek cuisine has always placed emphasis on authentic raw ingredients and of course the famous Mediterranean diet

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional eating habits from the '60s of people from countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. It encourages the consumption of fresh, seasonal, and local foods.

What foods is the Mediterranean diet made up of?

The diet is generally characterized by a high intake of plant-based foods (e.g. fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, and cereals), olive oil, a moderate intake of fish and poultry, and a low intake of dairy products (mostly yoghurt and cheese), red meats, and sweets. Wine is typically consumed in moderation and, normally, with a meal.

What are the benefits of the Meditteranean diet?

•Heart health
Many studies have indicated that the Mediterranean diet can help the body maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases

•Diabetes
Certain Mediterranean diets rich in fruit and vegetables are known to be healthy for people with diabetes.
As well as being protective against type 2 diabetes, Mediterranean diets can help those people control their blood sugar levels.

Signature Greek dishes

Moussaka
Moussaka is a layered oven casserole dish made with vegetables and meat https://www.mygreekdish.com/
recipe/mousakas/

Souvlaki and gyros
A gyro or gyros is a dish made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It is prepared most often with pork or chicken and typically served wrapped or stuffed in a pita along with ingredients such as tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki sauce
Souvlaki is a popular fast food consisting of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer.

Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a pie made of crispy layer of phyllo dough and a filling of spinach and feta cheese

Fasolada
Soup consisting of beans, crushed tomatoes, and vegetables such as onions, carrots and celery

Gemista
Stuffed peppers and tomatoes with rice and chopped vegetables