[Nutrition and gastronomy in Extremadura]

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Gastronomy
• Public Health

Background:

• Extremadura's rich natural spaces influence its traditional gastronomy.
• Gastronomic Guides often favor modern techniques over traditional Extremaduran cuisine.
• Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) certifications promote local quality foods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review nutritional status in Extremadura.
• To examine Extremadura's regional gastronomy.
• To assess their impact on population welfare and health.

Main Methods:

• Bibliographic search on Extremadura's nutrition and gastronomy.
• Analysis of food consumption patterns and expenditure.
• Review of existing nutritional studies.

Main Results:

• Extremadura exhibits lower per capita food spending (14.7% below national average).
• Regional dietary spending shows higher allocation to milk, nuts, and beer; lower to wine, water, vegetables, fruits, and oil.
• Limited studies exist on Extremadura's nutritional status, with recent focus on physically active adults.

Conclusions:

• Improvement in nutritional education is crucial for informed food choices.
• Integration of traditional Extremaduran gastronomy into daily diets is recommended.
• Further research is needed on the nutritional situation of the Extremaduran population.