Why Is Middle Eastern Food So Healthy?

Middle Eastern food has a long and varied history. It is known for its flavorful, healthy ingredients and its focus on fresh produce.

The cuisine is heavily influenced by the climate and geography of the region, which is mostly arid or semi-arid desert. This means that most Middle Eastern dishes are prepared with fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and legumes that are readily available in the region.

Many Middle Eastern dishes are vegetarian or vegan friendly. The cuisine also relies heavily on spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric to add flavor without adding extra fat or calories.

This helps to create delicious meals that are low in calories but still full of flavor. Additionally, many traditional Middle Eastern recipes use olive oil instead of butter or other saturated fats for cooking. This helps to keep saturated fats at a minimum while adding a delicious flavor to the dish.

In addition to the use of healthy ingredients and cooking techniques, many Middle Eastern dishes contain ingredients rich in vitamins and minerals that can help promote good health. Lentils are a common ingredient used in many Middle Eastern dishes.

These legumes are high in protein and fiber while being low in fat and calories. Lentils also contain iron, zinc, folate, magnesium, phosphorous as well as B-vitamins which can help support healthy digestion.

Middle Eastern food also has a tradition of eating smaller portions throughout the day rather than one large meal at dinner time like most Western cultures do today. Eating smaller meals more frequently helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day which can help reduce cravings for unhealthy snacks.

Conclusion:

Overall, it’s easy to see why Middle Eastern food is so healthy – it relies heavily on fresh produce and spices for flavor without added fats or sugars; it contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals; and it encourages smaller portions eaten more frequently throughout the day. All these factors make Middle Eastern food an excellent choice for those looking to maintain their health without sacrificing flavor!