$tb="Home"; The diet in the Eastern Mediterranean and especially Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan is characterized by a heavy reliance on refined grains (white flour) as the primary source of energy. These countries also experience an increase in the rates of chronic non communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes), a reflection of the emerging “nutrition transition” experienced by these countries. The “nutrition transition” seems to be occurring alongside chronic problems of under nutrition, specifically micronutrient deficiencies reflected in high rates of Anaemia and stunting among certain subgroups, particularly the urban and rural poor.

On the other hand, the region is blessed with great biodiversity and the population has access to potentially many edible wild plants that could be easily harvested and used. The harvesting and use of these wild plants is, however, on the decline due to the eroding knowledge and environmental degradation.

The “Wild Edible Plants: Promoting Dietary Diversity in Poor Communities of Lebanon” project aimed at:

•    Promoting the use of wild edible plants to improve dietary diversity in Lebanon as a first step
•    Improve collaboration and outreach activities in the region and slow down the simplification of diets.

 

Programming: Khaled al Ahmad - Web Analyst: Maha Jdeed - Photography: Mazen Jannoun 

Design & Management: Yarob Marouf