Traditional Lebanese food is well known for being delicious; 5 reasons why Lebanese cuisine can be considered healthy!
- Use of FRESH INGREDIENTS
- Use of OLIVE OIL: Instead of cooking with butter, cream or other dairy products, Lebanese food relies heavily on olive oil, which can boost overall heart health due to its high omega-9 content.
- Use of FRESH HERBS –Mint aids digestion and has been found to assist everything from weight loss to preventing headaches, while parsley is high in vitamins K, C and A as well as folate, iron and copper.
- Use of ANCIENT AND MAGICAL SPICES -Fresh za’atar ( a mixture of ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, salt and sumac ) is one of Lebanon’s most widely used spices and has been shown to have many health benefits.
- Use of CHICKPEAS – The health benefits of chick peas have been well known since ancient times, and classic dishes such as hummus and falafel show their healthy qualities to the fullest. Apart from being high in protein, chick peas are full of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, iron and vitamin K, which together help to strengthen your bones, lower blood pressure, fight cancer, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol.
ATTENTION- most of the lamb dishes are high in fat and are also served with bread and side dishes so attention should be given to the portions consumed!