From the olive grove to the table: the evolution of our diet and the nutritional value of olive oil 121 Figure 1 – The new Food Wheel 1–3 portions 3–5 portions 3–5 portions 4–11 portions 2–3 portions 1.5–4.5 portions 1–2 portions habits, which are very similar to those of other countries in the same latitude in this part of the world. The Mediterranean dietary pattern thus emerges as a direct product of the country’s history and identity. In this context, the Mediterranean Diet takes on particular significance as a cultural heritage and a model for sustainable eating. However, despite this favourable backdrop, the most recent national data indicate limited adherence to this dietary pattern (Real & Graça, 2019; Rodrigues et al., 2022). In 2020, only around 26% of the population showed a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean model, indicating that the majority of Portuguese people do not follow this health-promoting dietary pattern. At the same time, socio-economic factors, such as price, are identified as significant barriers to the consumption of foods characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, including olive oil (DGS, 2020). In this process of institutional recognition and affirmation of the Mediterranean Diet as a dietary model and lifestyle to be promoted, its inclusion in national dietary guidelines is particularly noteworthy. The adaptation of the Portuguese dietary guide — the Food Wheel — to the principles of the Mediterranean Diet in 2016, giving rise to the Mediterranean Food Wheel, was a significant milestone, as it translated this dietary pattern into concrete recommendations and highlighted the role of foods considered fundamental to the structure of the Mediterranean dietary model (DGS, 2016; Real & Graça, 2019). 2. Olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet: nutritional importance and its place in the Food Wheel The Food Wheel is the official dietary guide in Portugal, designed as an educational tool to guide the population’s eating habits. In its version adapted to the Mediterranean Diet — the Mediterranean Food Wheel — this model highlights the central role of certain key foods in the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Among these, olive oil plays a central role, as the main recommended source of fat, reflecting both its nutritional importance, its constant presence in culinary practices and its cultural significance within the Mediterranean context. In addition to highlighting specific foods, the Mediterranean Food Wheel incorporates broader aspects associated with the Mediterranean lifestyle, such as conviviality at the table, the use of local and seasonal produce, and regular physical activity, establishing itself as a tool for promoting healthy eating habits, sustainable and culturally rooted. Figure 2 – The Mediterranean Food Wheel
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