The Basics of the Traditional Lebanese Diet

The Basics of the Traditional Lebanese DietIn a traditional Lebanese diet, a person will eat three meals per day, consisting of five daily cups of soup, three daily cups of broth, five daily cups of rice, and three daily cups of couscous. On some days, a person might eat fish and/or meat with or without salads, with or without beans. On other days, a person might eat fish and/or meat with the soup, with the broth, with the couscous, or with the rice.A person who has been introduced to this type of diet is surprised to learn that he or she does not only eat four meals per day, but that meals include such a diversity of foods that they seem like 'whatever I happen to be craving at the moment.' This is probably one of the reasons why this diet is the most flexible diet that people can eat.In a traditional Lebanese diet, there are specific times when certain foods are eaten to replace meals. These include:People say that they feel better after eating this specific meal because the foods are rich in essential nutrients that the body needs. They also say that eating a chicken souvlaki and having tea or coffee with it is quite relaxing. Although, for the sake of being healthy, people do not overeat or eat more than they should. They eat a balanced diet instead.For the type of food that is commonly eaten by the Lebanese people, eating a salad is a very common practice, especially on Friday. Salads serve as a way to make the body feel nourished. As with other types of foods in the traditional Lebanese diet, there are some foods that are never to be eaten on Friday.A person should eat a daily breakfast to keep him or her active. In Lebanon, after eating breakfast, people will eat lunch, dinner, and then a light snack during the evening. Some people like to eat more than others do in the morning, so they usually have a small coffee or tea before their breakfast.Rice and bread are used as side dishes, but are not a main part of the meal. Chicken soup, or chicken kabob, sou p, stew, and stuffed grape leaves are only to be eaten as part of the main meal. The main meal usually consists of five to six daily cups of soup, or seven to eight daily cups of broth, or seven to eight daily cups of rice, and seven to eight daily cups of couscous. There are no daily cups of vegetables or fruits.These are just a few examples of the traditional Lebanese diet. The type of foods that are eaten vary, depending on the region where the food originates. Any Lebanese meal is normally completed with soup, or with a variety of dishes, although the combination varies from area to area.