Azerbaijanis eating healthier food

Eating habit is one of the indexes of each nation's prosperity. Azerbaijani people have always loved delicious food and their national cuisine is an important sign of this love.

Azerbaijan's national cuisine has been a balanced and healthy food but people tend to change their diet gradually.

The growing public interest in fast and cheep fat-laden food can be deemed as an economic indicator. Around the world, people with poor education and low social status tend to care less about their diet and lifestyle.

However, Azerbaijani population is now changing their eating habits remaining from the hungry period of the end of 20th century.

Statistics show that the population of Azerbaijan has started to consume more healthy products.

Head of the Azerbaijani Free Consumers Union Eyyub Huseynov believes that the trend is interconnected with increasing in income and public awareness and expansion of food culture.

Huseynov refers to the changes in people's minds about this valuable sphere of life.

The statistical data of the past seven years shows that Azerbaijani population have started to consume more potatoes, vegetables and fruits, as well as meat and fish, while preferring to eat less bread.

Bread consumption decreased by 12 percent, while consumption of meat increased by 15.7 percent, potatoes - 26 percent, fruits - 35.5 percent, vegetables - 32 percent in 2007-2013.

However, MD Svetlana Aliyeva says that Azerbaijani population is still not eating healthy food.

"Our nutrition is different from the traditional cuisine; it is more caloric and fat. We consume more carbohydrates," she said.

She added that the younger generation is more interested in proper nutrition, but the older generation continues to eat in the old-fashioned way. "The younger generation is now closer to a proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle."

The rate of obesity increases with an increase of fast food, she believes.

One way or another, nutrition habits also depend on the market and Azerbaijani market is not self-sufficient.

However, climatic conditions of the country allow it to grow many useful products and Azerbaijani citizens prefer domestic goods.

Expert Oqtay Haqverdiyev believes that Azerbaijan is not heavily dependent on import and only 12-14 percent of its food is imported from other countries, and the index is expected to decrease in time.

Mainly, Azerbaijan import grain, butter, and pork, which is used for sausage products, and exotic fruits.

With developing of the local production, more fresh and safe products, it is expected that population will eat more healthy food.

/Azernews/