About the project – tool4medlife

The Tool4MEDLife project aims to facilitate the shift of the Mediterranean population towards healthy and sustainable diets inspired by the Mediterranean Diet.

Thematic Area

Agri-food value chain

Total Budget

813.351,71€

Duration

36 months

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is often praised for its beneficial effects on health, particularly in preventing obesity and various non-communicable diseases. Nevertheless, recent years have seen a trend towards a Western dietary pattern, driven by cultural and social changes that promote unsustainable food consumption, raising concerns from both health and environmental perspectives.

In this framework, the Tool4MEDLife project aims to investigate the dietary habits and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among populations in the Mediterranean region.

Focusing on..

Assessing people's nutritional health, eating habits, possible nutrient shortfalls, and the elements that encourage healthier dietary choices.

Educate consumers about the nutritional benefits of their food selections, the environmental impact of those choices, and the significance of balanced meals in fulfilling their dietary needs.

Promoting awareness in these areas is vital for fostering better eating practices and improving overall health outcomes.

The project is designed to facilitate a shift towards healthier and more sustainable eating habits by introducing focused initiatives that leverage innovative food designs and educational approaches. Through these efforts, the aim is to improve public awareness of effective nutritional practices, offering straightforward guidance to empower the community in adopting this dietary transformation.

T4ML KEY OBJECTIVES

Sociological and nutritional questionnaires

Create a comprehensive survey aimed at uncovering the key factors that drive the adoption of healthy eating habits, with a focus on adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.

New and healthy foods based on Mediterranean tradition

Innovate new healthy food products inspired by Mediterranean culinary traditions, incorporating functional ingredients derived from organic waste to boost sustainability and nutritional value while minimizing food waste.

Tailored nutritional educational toolkits

Design customized strategies and educational resources to raise awareness about healthy and sustainable living, encouraging the embrace of Mediterranean dietary practices.

Various stakeholders, including schools, local communities, small to medium-sized businesses, and individual farmers, play a crucial role in fostering healthy diets and nutritional habits. This collaborative effort spans from the production stage to the consumers, ensuring that good nutritional practices are embraced at every level.

The Tool4MEDLife consortium includes more than 22 project partners from 5 Mediterranean countries: Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Turkey, and Spain. The consortium is structured to match Tool4MEDLife objectives since, thanks to its expertise, it can cover the whole research program.