The Portuguese continue to eat a lot of red meat, a lot of salt and little vegetables. “This way we will not be able to prevent the disease,” confirms dietitian Conceição Calhau
“The Mediterranean diet still has little adherence to the Portuguese,” assures the dietitian and coordinator of the University Lifestyle Medicine Unit at CUF and Nova Conceição Calhau Medical School. This is despite scientific evidence that lifestyle and eating habits are the root of most chronic diseases.
“Obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, depression, and cardiovascular disease are associated with diet and physical activity,” confirms Conceição Calhau. But habits are hard to change and a dietitian still lacks public health measures that promote a healthy lifestyle. “Sugar taxes have had a huge impact. Why hasn’t salt been taxed yet?”
Don’t cut salt
Excess salt is one of the three main mistakes the Portuguese make at the table. “People still don’t know how to determine the sources of salt in food.” It is responsible for high blood pressure.
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