Israelis are paragons of healthy eating – Cultural traditions, attitudes toward food and the body, and the ready availability of fresh ingredients are key to a nutritious and healthy diet | the Guardian

The fact that Israel is listed among the countries that follow the most nutritious diets (Lack of vegetables and fruit in diet kills more people than smoking, 4 April) does not amaze me and is not only due to the so-called Mediterranean diet. In Israel ready-made meals and fast-food outlets are rare. Instead, there are small shops that sell fruit and vegetables on every corner and even young people have a family-based habit of cooking their own meals. Comparing the costs and nutritional values of a bowl of lentil soup or stuffed peppers to a burger with chips is a no-brainer.