Perspective: Beyond the Mediterranean Diet—exploring Latin American, Asian, and African heritage diets as cultural models of healthy eating

The Mediterranean diet is extensively studied as a healthy eating paradigm, yet research into other cultural dietary models has been limited. This perspective article by LeBlanc et al. (2024) explores traditional Latin American, Asian, and African heritage diets, highlighting their components, association with diet quality and health markers, and implications for nutrition policies and programs. While these diets feature diverse foods and flavors, they share a common emphasis on healthful plant-based foods, which correlates with high dietary quality and lower rates of major diseases and disabilities. The article suggests that incorporating these cultural dietary patterns into nutrition interventions holds promise but stresses the need for further research to ascertain health outcomes and optimal implementation strategies. [NPID: African diet, Latin American diet, Asian diet, traditional foods, nutrition transition]

Year: 2024

Reference: LeBlanc, K. E., Baer-Sinnott, S., Lancaster, K. J., Campos, H., Lau, K. H. K., Tucker, K. L., Kushi, L. H., & Willett, W. C. (2024). Perspective: Beyond the Mediterranean Diet—exploring Latin American, Asian, and African heritage diets as cultural models of healthy eating. Advances in Nutrition, 15(5), 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100221