Changing pattern of diet in Europe

The traditional wide range in diet in Europe that was based on climate and geography are slowly being eroded as modern transport and communications bring wider ranges of foods to the markets, and as modern travel cultures are eroding the boundaries of palatability. Tradition and history are still important factors, and the climatic variations are still there. Public education programmes encourage those living in the more northern countries to adopt a diet more similar to that consumed in the Mediterranean area. The programmes are having some success. Unfortunately, however, cultural factors seem to be persuading those living in the south to eat a more northern diet with more meat and animal fat.