It is no coincidence that the Mediterranean Diet has been declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, as it is much more than just a diet. The Mediterranean Diet is not only governed by nutritional rules but is a philosophy of life in which respect for local, fresh and seasonal products and raw materials, the preparation of traditional, healthy and balanced recipes and even the combination with the practice of sports stand out.
Over the years, the composition of the diet has been modified to include new products.
It is essential to use local and seasonal agricultural products to achieve a correct Mediterranean diet. They are healthy, tasty, of high nutritional value and easy to cook.
The Mediterranean Diet is a varied, healthy and balanced diet.
According to the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, it is necessary to:
- Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) as the main fat, the main product of a Mediterranean diet since you can use it for all kinds of dishes and it gives a special flavour. EVOO is also known as the “liquid gold” because of its gastronomic versatility. Great chefs all over the world use it in their dishes. In addition, extra virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, which protect the cardiovascular system. Just a few kilometres from Peñíscola, you can visit ancient olive groves and olive oil mills to see the production process of the famous Extra Virgin Olive Oil from ancient olive trees.
- Cooking with products of vegetable origin such as fruit, vegetables and nuts is a great source of health and has healing powers. The foods of vegetable origin act as true natural medicines, since they contain two components not present in products of animal origin such as antioxidants (vitamins and minerals) and phytoelements (an element that has the capacity to neutralize the growth of certain cancerous tumors).
- Include cereals (bread, pasta and breakfast cereals, among others) in our daily life, as they are rich in carbohydrates and provide us with more than half of the energy needed to carry out our daily activities.
- Consume fresh and seasonal products. In the markets of Benicarló and Vinaròs you can find local products such as fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood.
- Eat every day dairy products such as milk, cheese or yoghurts. Near Tamarindos we find the town of Catí or Les Coves de Vinromà where they make a traditional cheese. They have several types of cheese: organic, goat and sheep. They also organise guided tours in which they teach all the steps involved in making the cheese, as well as tasting each one of them.
- Consume very little red or processed meat.
- Eat a lot of fish and three or four eggs a week. In Vinaròs, Benicarló and Peñíscola you can buy fresh fish in their markets and fish markets.
- Always have fruit or yoghurt for dessert.
- Always drink water but you can have a glass of wine in moderation during a meal.
- Practice sport every day.
The Mediterranean diet brings us many health benefits if we combine it with physical activity. It controls weight and improves the functioning of the metabolism and organs.
Tamarind is an ideal place to enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean diet because it is located in a privileged place where the climate, tranquility and cuisine are the main hallmarks. In addition, Peñíscola and its surroundings offer an infinite number of routes for practising sports in a natural environment where you can get oxygenated, breathe fresh air and enjoy the wonderful landscape of Mediterranean vegetation or the sea views.
The markets of Vinaròs or Benicarló offer daily and all year round fresh, local and seasonal products (fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, meat…) at very affordable prices. And if you like to eat but cooking is not for you, you can also buy fish, seafood, meat or whatever you want at that moment and go to the bars of the same market where they cook it for you for a few euros.
But if you prefer to cook surrounded by family and friends, your place is the Tamarindos barbecue. There’s nothing like cooking some good fresh vegetables, fish or meat over a wood fire and in an environment surrounded by palm trees. In addition, in front of the barbecue there are some tables in the shade of the fig trees that are usually a meeting point during the summer months where 3 wonderful verbs are conjugated: to share, to enjoy and to know people; all this around a good paella, a grill of vegetables or a delicious roast.
In short, Tamarindos is a privileged place for lovers of gastronomy, sport and nature.
