Gastronomy

The global malnutrition crisis—marked by the simultaneous presence of hunger, undernutrition, and obesity—affects billions of people worldwide. This complex and widespread issue is deeply intertwined with today’s escalating environmental challenges, including climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. These problems are largely driven by the current food systems, which not only fail to provide adequate nutrition for all but also contribute significantly to environmental degradation. Argentina, as a major global food producer, exemplifies this paradox: despite its vast agricultural capacity, nearly 70% of its population suffers from some form of malnutrition. This paper examines the potential of organic agriculture and agroecology to transform food systems in ways that promote sustainability and health, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Focusing on Buenos Aires, the study investigates the availability, cost, and affordability of organic and agroecological diets in accordance with both international and national dietary guidelines. This is the first study in Argentina—and among the first internationally—to analyze the affordability of diets exclusively based on organic and agroecological products. Linear programming is applied to assess these diets in relation to the basic food basket, revealing economic challenges and opportunities within the city’s food landscape. The results demonstrate the validity of the model in identifying the costs and potential economic accessibility of such diets for the population, providing valuable insights for segmenting and clarifying potential pathways for scaling these diets, as well as comparing different contexts and realities.

Dairy foods are rich in nutrients and typically have a lower environmental impact than other animal-based products. Despite these benefits, in France dairy consumption is lower than recommended. This study sought to understand where in the diet dairy foods are consumed, with a view to identifying opportunities for increasing consumption. A characterisation study was conducted using the INCA3 database (n = 783, 324 males, aged 18–44 years). All eating episodes containing dairy products were classified by product type and five dimensions to characterise consumption: (1) amount consumed; (2) eaten or drunk; (3) sweet or savoury; (4) in combination with other foods or by itself; (5) time of day. A sixth dimension, meal or snack, was also based on time of day. The results showed that (1) an average of 246 g, 1126 kJ of dairy is consumed per person, per day; (2) more dairy sub-groups are eaten than drunk; (3) dairy is consumed in sweet and savoury dishes; (4) in combination with other foods, rarely by itself; (5, 6) and at traditional mealtimes, rarely as a snack. Suggestions can be made for increasing dairy consumption based on product type, eating occasion, and context, e.g., increasing availability in out-of-home settings, and considering new or unusual food combinations for new recipes.

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has emerged as a comprehensive model for promoting human health and environmental sustainability. This review proposes reconceptualization of the traditional MD pyramid, highlighting its functional food components and their relevance to modern health challenges. Rooted in a rich cultural and gastronomic heritage, the MD extends beyond nutritional adequacy. It offers substantial nutraceutical benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytosterols. These compounds contribute to the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Simultaneously, the MD aligns with sustainable food system principles: it is predominantly plant-based; it promotes seasonal and local food sourcing; and it supports minimal food waste. In addition, this dietary pattern has been associated with a significantly lower ecological footprint compared to Western diets, thus supporting broader environmental goals. Ultimately, the MD stands as a scientifically grounded, culturally embedded, and ecologically viable approach to foster both individual and planetary wellbeing (One Health concept).