On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM, an informative event titled "The Mediterranean Diet: An Evidence-Based Model" will take place at the Antico Caffè San Marco, located at Via Battisti 18 in Trieste. The event is part of the Urban_Food-Lab_TS project—"Towards a Healthy and Sustainable Food System in Trieste"—a public and social engagement initiative (Third Mission) funded by the University of Trieste.

The Mediterranean Diet is not simply a dietary model, but a lifestyle that integrates nutrition, conviviality, physical activity, seasonality and cultural traditions. Its dietary core is predominantly plant-based, characterized by a large consumption of foods of plant origin and a variable role of animal foods. But what do we really mean when we talk about the “Mediterranean Diet”?

In fact, there is no single, definitive classification. The food groups used to define and measure adherence can vary depending on the gastronomic, cultural, and religious traditions of the different countries in the Mediterranean region. The numerous food pyramids developed over the years also reflect this diversity of interpretations. Alongside Mediterranean models, the "Planetary Health Diet" offers a more global perspective: a predominantly plant-based way of eating, designed to be adaptable to various geographical and cultural contexts.

Nevertheless, the Mediterranean Diet remains the traditional dietary model with one of the most robust scientific evidence bases—particularly regarding the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases—with promising findings also emerging in the fields of oncology and neurology.

Paradoxically, while adherence to this model appears to be growing in some Northern European countries, it is on the decline in Italy—especially among young people. So, are we truly following the Mediterranean Diet? During this session, we will find out together, using a short questionnaire and a hands-on activity to measure our actual level of adherence to the Mediterranean model.

The meeting will feature the participation of professors Michela Zanetti and Gianluca Gortan Cappellari - lecturers in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Nutritional Sciences affiliated with the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at the University of Trieste - along with professor Gianluigi Gallenti, a lecturer in Agricultural and Food Economics and Rural Appraisal, and dr. Valentino Riva, a PhD candidate in Circular Economy from the Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Trieste.