Bringing Mediterranean flavors back to kids is at the heart of the DELICIOUS project. The Mediterranean Diet has long been celebrated for its nutritional benefits, but modern dietary habits are pushing younger generations away from these traditions. The DELICIOUS project has stepped in to bridge this gap by reformulating 90 traditional Mediterranean recipes, making them healthier, more appealing, and sustainable for children and adolescents. By combining scientific research, digital tools, and direct engagement with families, the project is reshaping the way Mediterranean communities approach childhood nutrition.
Transforming Traditional Mediterranean Recipes
Over three years, DELICIOUS compiled a database of 200 traditional Mediterranean recipes from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Egypt, and Lebanon. Experts interviewed chefs, families, and culinary specialists to understand the cultural and nutritional aspects of these dishes. Using this research, 90 recipes were reformulated to enhance their nutritional value and reduce environmental impact while maintaining the flavors that define Mediterranean cuisine. These improvements align with the project’s mission of bringing Mediterranean flavors back to kids, ensuring that Mediterranean food remains both relevant and accessible to younger generations.
Making Healthy Eating Fun for Kids
Children played an active role in shaping their own food choices. Through workshops with small groups of 8-10 kids, the project introduced six bioactive-rich snacks designed specifically for young consumers. These sessions allowed children to provide feedback on taste, texture, and presentation, ensuring that the new snacks were both nutritious and enjoyable. This participatory approach fosters a stronger connection between children and healthy eating habits, making them more likely to adopt and maintain a balanced diet.
Bringing Healthier Meals to Schools
A key aspect of ensuring the long-term success of these reformulated recipes is integrating them into school meals. DELICIOUS trained school canteen staff through three online workshops and two instructional video tutorials, equipping them with the skills needed to prepare and serve these healthier meals. This training helps bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation, ensuring that children have daily access to nutritious Mediterranean dishes at school.
The Future of Mediterranean Food for Children
Healthy meals must not only be nutritious but also well-received. To test acceptance, school canteens prepared 10 of the reformulated recipes and five of the new snacks for children to taste and evaluate. Direct feedback from students allowed researchers to refine the final versions, ensuring that these meals meet both health standards and taste preferences. The results confirm that Mediterranean dishes can be adapted to modern dietary needs without losing their cultural authenticity.
The findings of DELICIOUS highlight a decline in adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among children due to urbanization, food marketing, and changing consumer behaviors. However, the project demonstrates that a multidimensional approach—integrating nutrition education, sustainable food production, and direct community engagement—can effectively reverse this trend. With over 2,000 children assessed across five countries, DELICIOUS provides a model for scaling these interventions across the Mediterranean region. Digital tools, such as a machine-learning-based platform for personalized school meal planning, further ensure the sustainability of these efforts beyond the project’s duration.
As DELICIOUS reaches its conclusion, its impact extends far beyond research. By reformulating Mediterranean recipes and integrating these changes into daily life, the project paves the way for a healthier future. The combination of traditional wisdom and modern science ensures that Mediterranean dietary traditions remain a sustainable and attractive choice for future generations.
