You are what you eat!

So much for our environment, but what about our diet? In recent years there has been an increase in interest in natural foods -- hormone free and organic.

Is Turkish food healthy? We hear a lot about how healthy the Mediterranean diet and olive oil is. But is it really true?

To stay healthy doctors list three main factors that are in our control:

* Diet is IMPORTANT.

* Not smoking is ESSENTIAL.

* Regular exercise is CRUCIAL.

Most Turks believe that olive oil -- the perfect oil for all ages -- is a solution. Mediterranean people have used olive oil for nutritional, cosmetic and medicinal benefits for centuries. Olive oil has been proved to maintain skin and muscle suppleness, heal abrasions and soothe the burning and drying effects of sun and water. Recent research has now proved that a Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, is not only generally healthy but helps lower harmful LDL cholesterol. Olive oil contains antioxidants that discourage artery clogging and chronic diseases, including cancer.

I have recently received some comments by e-mail on Turkish food and diet and want to share some excerpts from these emails:

“I worked in a school and had lunch free for a year. I gained weight that year!”

“I love Turkish food. Turkish food is healthy because a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables are used.”

“It frustrates me that cleanliness overrides vitamins. I like the skin on my potatoes and the peel on my cucumbers, etc... When Turks cook fresh vegetables they cook all the vitamins out and peel off all the healthy parts.” My Turkish friends say the peel is unclean.”

“I have gained a lot of weight since moving here. Stay away from the delicious sweets like künefe and baklava, especially if you are trying to diet.”

“Turkish food is delicious but is not good for those with cholesterol problems. Turkish cooks use a lot of dairy products, cream, butter and sauces.”

What a mix of comments! This may seem totally confusing. I must admit I have gained some weight in the last few years -- maybe it is because of the delicious Turkish desserts!

We can list some of the good and healthy things about eating in Turkey:

* Fruit and vegetables are sooooo fresh that, to a European who is used to having their bananas and peaches picked before they are ripe, and then ripening on the long truck journey from one country to the next, they seem out of this world!

* Olive oil is much healthier than butter.

* Mealtimes are social, family occasions, so people take time over the meals and don’t rush them. This is good for digestion, and also helps you to feel full.

* It is not usual to see people walking down the street eating: back home, people eat chocolate bars and other unhealthy snacks while on their way home.

But there are some downsides, too:

* Every Turkish hostess is very generous, and wants to pile your plate up high. It can be hard to say no.

* Sticky, syrupy desserts contain lashings of calories.

* Turkish tea and coffee are wonderful, and sitting with friends we can consume many cups. No problem if you drink them “şekersiz,” but if you have a spoonful of sugar each time… those spoons add up to a lot.

* Turkish bread is very delicious, and always in plentiful supply at the meal table, but it piles on the carbs.

* Low salt or fat-reduced products are not easily available, although a limited range of “diet” foods are on display at most supermarkets.

So if you love Turkish food but don’t want to pile on the pounds, choose from the menu carefully. Avoid deep-fried options and choose a vegetarian olive-oil dish now and again. Have a lovely salad with your meal, rather than an extra slice of bread. Between meals, or for dessert, have plenty of fresh fruit. Try to have smaller portions: that way you can enjoy a taste of everything on the table! If you have two sugars in your tea, try to reduce it to one; if you drink an “orta” Turkish coffee, try to reduce it to “az şekerli”.

But never forget that the food in Turkey is meant to be enjoyed. Afiyet olsun!