Traditional Lebanese Recipes Based on Wild Plants: An Answer to Diet Simplification?

Abstract

Background The challenge posed by the nutrition transition occurring throughout the world is enormous: rates of chronic disease, particularly overweight and obesity and cardiovascular disease, have reached alarming levels—often occurring in parallel with high levels of micronutrient deficiencies. Lebanon is no exception. And yet this Mediterranean country enjoys a rich biodiversity, with thousands of endemic species and an equally rich culinary history, largely based on its local biodiversity, including wild edible plants. Objectives To record traditional Lebanese recipes based on wild edible plants and to investigate their potential to contribute to a more diversified diet. Methods A series of nine focus group meetings was conducted with key informants knowledgeable in wild edible plant identification, harvesting, and use. Results Common recipes based on wild edible plants were collected and standardized from rural communities where collection of wild edible plants is common. Nutrient analysis and food-composition analysis were performed, including comparisons with processed dishes that are increasingly common in the Lebanese diet, revealing that the wild edible plant-based dishes offered a healthier alternative. Conclusions Since traditional recipes often use items from several food groups in one dish, they can be a good model for diet diversification. The promotion of the collection and use of wild edible plants and their derived products can lead to improved nutrition.