site.btaNutrition Expert: Balkan Diet Offers a Healthy Fusion of Tradition and Wellness

The Balkan diet is diverse and balanced, with a high content of fruits, vegetables, grains, and less meat, making it healthy, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacology, and toxicology specialist Teodora Handjieva-Darlenska said at the women's health forum Food and Health here on Friday.

Handjieva-Darlenska pointed out that the Balkan diet closely resembles the Mediterranean diet, which is widely popular. She highlighted yogurt, white brined cheese, bee products, grains, and seasonal fruits and vegetables as part of the Balkan dietary model.

However, she said, studies show that women in Bulgaria have low consumption of yogurt and grains.

In Bulgaria, yogurt contains live cultures, which sets it apart from other similar products. Ayran is a refreshing drink, but it's best not to add salt, as data indicates high salt consumption in Bulgaria, Handjieva-Darlenska noted.

She described Shopska salad as being full of antioxidants and recommended eating it often. She mentioned that even though lyutenitsa is high in fat, it has good nutritional value, and banitsa is a healthier option compared to typical fast foods.

Bulgaria is one of the countries with high bread consumption, providing a good source of fiber, especially when it's wholegrain. It's important for the bread to be dense and coarsely ground, as this suggests a low Glycaemic Index.

The consumption of dock and nettle is typical of the Balkan Peninsula, and they are a good source of iron, Handjieva-Darlenska noted. She also mentioned that the Mediterranean diet is popular in Bulgaria.