Traditional Food Systems Research Articles

Bio-Cultural Diversity for Food Security: Traditional Wild Food Plants and Their Folk Cuisine in Lakki Marwat, Northwestern Pakistan

Ethnobotanical studies on foraging are essential for documenting neglected or previously unknown wild food plants, which may be crucial for promoting the diversification of food sources and contributing to food security and sovereignty. The Pashtuns of the Marwat tribe in NW Pakistan are renowned for their traditional customs and food systems. Studying the wild food plants (WFPs) and their associated bio-cultural diversity is quintessential for fostering food security and sovereignty in the region. The research presented here investigated the area’s wild food plants traditionally gathered and consumed. The field survey was conducted in 2023 with 87 study participants. A total of 41 plant species belonging to 24 botanical families was documented. The findings include food uses for Atriplex tatarica, Amaranthus graecizans, and Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima that have rarely been recorded in Pakistan. Moreover, the use of Citrulus colocynthus fruits in jam and Zygophyllum indicum leaves and stems in beverages are novel contributions to the gastronomy of NW Pakistan. The comparison with other food ethnobotanical studies conducted in North Pakistan suggests some similarities between the Lakki Marwat traditional WFPs and those from other semi-arid areas in North Pakistan, both Pashtun and non-Pashtun. While the findings underline the significant role of WFPs in local cuisine, we observed that this local knowledge is also threatened: the rapid spread of fast and industrialized food, modernization, and cultural dilution has led to an alarming reduction in these practices among the younger generations. Therefore, suitable measures to safeguard traditional plants, food knowledge, practices, and the associated culture are urgently needed. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that we act now. Furthermore, preserving wild food plant-related cultural heritage may be fundamental to promoting food security and public health.

Document Indigenous Food Ingredients in China through Youth Participation

Abstract Problem Indigenous food systems can affect multiple aspects of Indigenous people’s health and contribute to more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. However, although tens of Indigenous groups live in China, very few projects have targeted their traditional or Indigenous food systems and ingredients. Description of the problem The main purposes include documenting traditional and Indigenous foods and medicine, building multiple social media for public impact, encouraging Indigenous youth participation, and advocating a more sustainable food system in China Results With the collaboration of Good Food Fund China, the project recruited 257 volunteers from 27 ethnic groups. The project collected 418 traditional food ingredients, produced 18 TikTok short videos to introduce Indigenous ingredients with the maximum number of views in a single post of more than 100,000, organized 16 Indigenous food culture knowledge webinars, translated 14 international case studies in Indigenous food systems with the permission of authors, and published 16 articles about Indigenous food ingredients and culture in the writing camp. The online lives also received more than a million total views. The results were presented at COP26 and COP28. More results will continue to be presented to the public through articles, books, academic papers, documentaries, short videos, online webinars, and other forms. Lessons The project demonstrates the potential to use online platforms to advocate and document sustainable food systems and biodiversity through youth participation. More similar projects can be designed in different parts of the world to support sustainable food systems transformation and ignite down-to-earth changes. However, funding and publication channels are still difficulties in the project. Key messages • The first national level youth participation project to document Indigenous food biodiversity in China. • Take advantage of social media and the internet for public impact.

Gardening practices in Alaska build on traditional food system foundations

Gardening practices in Alaska build on traditional food system foundations

Women’s Role in Transforming Food Systems in Sri Lanka – A Narrative Review

A food system is referred to as a complex web of activities involving production, processing, transport, selling, and consumption of food. This is often associated with governance and economics of food production, wastage of food, effects on the environment during this process, and impact on individual and population health. Sri Lanka is considered as an agricultural country with women playing an active role in food systems, particularly in the past. In ancient Sri Lanka, agriculture was not essentially a revenue generation process but was everybody’s service and public responsibility, where they cultivated land (either in paddy fields, chena, or home garden that surrounded the house) to provide food for the family, and rear cattle/hens for eggs and milk. The excess would be shared or stored for future consumption. The women were actively involved in all related chores, from the initial steps of cultivation to harvesting, which further extended to food preparation and preservation. However, the role of women in areas associated with food systems changed with time— the colonial era, the post-colonial era, and then the modern era, when the processes involved in modern food culture has replaced the traditional food systems in Sri Lanka. This narrative review discusses the changing role of women in food systems in Sri Lanka, from the ancient era to modern times.

From mangroves to womangroves to feminist foodscapes: (en)gendering research on indigenous food livelihoods in the Solomon Islands

AbstractPacific Island communities are facing rapid changes to their food systems in the context of globalization, environmental degradation and climate change. While in urban areas residents face a rapid nutrition transition, in rural environments, concerns are being raised about how to best maintain traditional food systems that are nutritious and sustainable. Mangrove forests are part of biodiverse food environments that support rural communities in the Pacific, but they are often overlooked in food system research because they occur between sea and land, and because gleaning mollusks and invertebrates from mangroves are considered mere subsistence practices carried out by women. In this paper, we draw from a feminist foodscape approach in feminist political ecology to discuss qualitative fieldwork from mangrove-adjacent communities in the Solomon Islands. We highlight the socio-ecological importance of mangrove foodscapes, along with the gendered and generational aspects of how environmental and food system change are experienced differently by community members in Marovo Lagoon. While conservationists are increasingly interested in the potential of mangroves for carbon sequestration, this research addresses the critical need to engage with mangroves’ social, cultural and gendered aspects– towards intertwined goals of gender equity, biodiversity and indigenous food sovereignty in the Pacific.

Role of women in the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus—challenges and opportunities

AbstractWater, food and energy are crucial for human survival and sustainable development, being interconnected through the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. Despite extensive research, the significant roles women play in these sectors are often underappreciated. Women are vital in water management, enhancing resource management, water quality and access, particularly in rural areas. In agriculture, they make up a large proportion of the workforce, boosting productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring food security. Their deep knowledge of traditional food systems, coupled with their caregiving roles, contributes to providing nutritious and culturally appropriate diets. In the energy sector, women are key advocates for sustainable solutions and grassroots adoption of renewable energy technologies. Recognizing gender equality and empowering women are essential for maximizing their potential in the WEF nexus. Implementing gender‐responsive policies, inclusive decision‐making processes, and investing in education and skills training can significantly enhance women's roles in sustainable management. Empowered women drive innovation and transformative change, leading to more resilient and inclusive governance structures. This article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting women's contributions within the WEF nexus, as this leads to more sustainable and equitable outcomes for all.

Scale up of the learning circles: a participatory action approach to support local food systems in four diverse First Nations school communities within Canada

BackgroundAddressing Indigenous food security and food sovereignty calls for community-driven strategies to improve access to and availability of traditional and local food. Participatory approaches that integrate Indigenous leadership have supported successful program implementation. Learning Circles: Local Healthy Food to School is a participatory program that convenes a range of stakeholders including food producers, educators and Knowledge Keepers to plan, implement and monitor local food system action. Pilot work (2014–2015) in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC), showed promising results of the Learning Circles (LC) approach in enhancing local and traditional food access, knowledge and skills among youth and adolescents. The objective of the current evaluation was therefore to examine the process of scaling-up the LC vertically within the Haida Nation; and horizontally across three diverse First Nations contexts: Gitxsan Nation, Hazelton /Upper Skeena, BC; Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan; and Black River First Nation, Manitoba between 2016 and 2019.MethodsAn implementation science framework, Foster-Fishman and Watson’s (2012) ABLe Change Framework, was used to understand the LC as a participatory approach to facilitate community capacity building to strengthen local food systems. Interviews (n = 52), meeting summaries (n = 44) and tracking sheets (n = 39) were thematically analyzed.ResultsThe LC facilitated a collaborative process to: (1) build on strengths and explore ways to increase readiness and capacity to reclaim traditional and local food systems; (2) strengthen connections to land, traditional knowledge and ways of life; (3) foster community-level action and multi-sector partnerships; (4) drive actions towards decolonization through revitalization of traditional foods; (5) improve availability of and appreciation for local healthy and traditional foods in school communities; and (6) promote holistic wellness through steps towards food sovereignty and food security. Scale-up within Haida Gwaii supported a growing, robust local and traditional food system and enhanced Haida leadership. The approach worked well in other First Nations contexts, though baseline capacity and the presence of champions were enabling factors.ConclusionsFindings highlight LC as a participatory approach to build capacity and support iterative planning-to-action in community food systems. Identified strengths and challenges support opportunities to expand, adopt and modify the LC approach in other Indigenous communities with diverse food systems.

FOREST FOOD RESOURCES IN THE SAKHA REPUBLIC (YAKUTIA)

According to the “Ecosystem Services of Russia” Prototype of National Report (2016), data on terrestrial ecosystem resources in Russia are fragmented. The purpose of this work is to fill the existing gaps in the knowledge of the biodiversity of plant species and the sustainability of traditional food systems across the economic zones of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Materials and methods. Although the range of edible plants in Yakutia counts more than 100 species, only nine species of berries, eight species of mushrooms, and three species of other food plants were classified as resource-significant based on the consolidated archive materials of the IBPC at FRC YaSC SB RAS and the results of the field studies carried out in 2002-2019. This list of twenty species was tested via a socio-economic survey undertaken as part of the RISE project in 2021-2023. The study was conducted with the permission of the local biomedical ethics committee of the Medical Institute of the North-Eastern Federal University. Each participant signed an informed consent form to be surveyed, according to the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki, which regulates the research involving human subjects. The study embraced 400 rural households. Results. The data on biological stocks of resource-significant food species of Yakutia’s forests were presented based on the consolidated archive materials and results of the field studies undertaken by the IBPC at FRC YaSC SB RAS. Coupled research methods of natural and social sciences were used to produce the estimates of the economic reserves of berries and mushrooms across economic zones of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and the volumes of their harvesting by rural households and the population of the region in general. Conclusion. Social methods have proven reliable for studying biodiversity in a large-sized region. They allow to fill the gaps in the databases built on the results of field studies, particularly in terms of popularity and, accordingly, the prevalence of certain food species. The higher productivity and diversity of flora in Southern Yakutia were confirmed compared to the Arctic and other economic zones. Funding. The reported study was performed under the e-Asia Climate Call and funded by RFBR, project number 21-55-70104, and project VI.52.1.8. “Theoretical and applied aspects of investigation the diversity of the vegetation of Northern and Central Yakutia (East Siberia)” 0376-2016-0001; registration number АААА-А17-117020110056-0.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the Maasai food system and traditional medicine against gout and associated conditions in Monduli-Tanzania

ABSTRACT An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine the plant species used against gout and gout-associated conditions (GACs) in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania. The survey that involved 21 Maasai traditional food system (TFS) and traditional medicine (TM) practitioners revealed that the study area had 101 plant species distributed in 84 genera and 42 families. About 79% of the species were used as medicine; some were used as food or for processing. The medicinal plants (MPs) managed 69 health conditions including gout, “Olgila” and GACs. The MPs had potential nutritional and antioxidant agents against diseases including metabolic diseases (MDs), like gout. The root parts of the plants (54% species) were exploited the most; most plants (94%) were sourced from the wild. Integrated conservation and promotion measures are needed to prevent loss of TFS and TM knowledge.

A Political Ecology of Food Security in La Guajira, Colombia

Inspired by my experiences while studying abroad in Colombia, in this paper I seek to explain the environmental, social, and political causes of widespread food insecurity in the Colombian department of La Guajira, a rural, isolated desert region with a high percentage of indigenous peoples. I first perform a literature review of geographic research on food security in peripheral regions, followed by a comprehensive case study analysis of La Guajira, drawing together sources from a variety of disciplines, in English and Spanish, in order to provide a new perspective on the region’s crisis through a multiscalar political ecology lens specifically focused on human-environment interactions, marginalization, social difference, and discourses. I find that from racialized frontier capitalism in the early 1900s to contemporary neoliberal extractivism, decades of attempts to integrate the region into national and global economic markets have weakened traditional food systems and substantially increased food insecurity. More broadly, I explore how food security, local agency in food systems, and environmental sustainability can be increased by rethinking our conventional ideas of “development,” “progress,” and “isolation.”

Explaining the Dynamics of Transition to an Integrated WEF System: Two Cases of Irrigated Agriculture in Oregon, USA

In recent years, the integrated Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach has gained traction as a more effective way to manage these interdependent and essential resources. A growing number of traditional food and water irrigation systems in Oregon, USA are transitioning to modernized, holistic, and sustainable Hydro-Irrigation-Restoration Systems that embrace the WEF Nexus approach (Weber 2017). The question is: what factors explain the successful transition? Two cases of irrigation modernization in Hood River, Oregon demonstrate that system transitions follow a pattern of socio-technical change wherein four structural factors are key: economic incentives, changing values expressed in regulations, technological innovation, and external shocks (e.g., major disasters). Yet, while the structural variables associated with the social-technical change approach are necessary for explaining the transitions to new WEF systems in Hood River, they are not sufficient. The case studies display the crucial importance of individual agency, or the actor dynamics capable of enabling or hindering system transformations (see Van Driel and Schot 2005, 54). Chief among these “agency” factors are (1) facilitative, visionary, trust-worthy leadership, (2) the cultivation of trust and collaborative problem-solving capacity, (3) the willingness to embrace risk and trade short-term costs for the potential of long term gains (e.g., low discount rates), and (4) the adoption of a new set of ideas, or shared norms, governing decision-making which embraced the idea that an integrated, modernized system could simultaneously promote economic, environmental, and energy sustainability.

Traditional food security and food sovereignty in the coastal region of South-Central Alaska

ABSTRACT A food assessment questionnaire was completed by Alutiiq and Eyak peoples of the Chugach Region of Alaska in 2016–2017. This questionnaire, conducted by the Chugach Regional Resource Commission, gathered 87 responses from adults residing in seven communities. The questions related to traditional food systems, food security, and food sovereignty and were organised into six sections: Community Food Resources, Diet and Health, Culture, Organisation and Governance, Food Resources, and Natural Resources and Environment. Nine questions directly addressed food sovereignty. Results revealed the importance of traditional food sources in the communities, foods that are not readily available or are difficult to access, resources that are useful to improve traditional food security, health problems that are perceived to be caused or exacerbated by the lack of traditional foods in the area, traditional foods commonly consumed, and barriers from accessing traditional foods. Additionally, recommendations for improving food systems and addressing barriers are provided.

Exploring Locust Consumption Acceptance Factors among Pakistani University Students: Insights for Sustainable Food Adoption

In the past years, the food security issue has become clearer, and resources have been sought to improve the sustainable food chain with the aim of reducing the harm to the environment caused by traditional food systems. Through the arrival of edible insects, sustainability and nutritional prowess emerge as a solution in view. On the downside/on the other/however, public acceptance is one of the key factors that limit their (AV) placement. The scientists have frantically worked on the identification of the factors that make up one's decision to improve on the level of eating insects. This paper details the research conducted with a group of 125 students who come from numerous public institutions in Pakistan, with the focus to determine their readiness to incorporate consuming bugs which is a fresh protein source in their cultural sphere. The investigation was multifaceted one and covered the spectrum from disgust effects, safety risks, to cultural factors, knowledge gap, environmental issues, and religious considerations. Implementing a five-point Likert scale questionnaire administered through the use of Google Forms, the study brought to the fore critical aspects that stimulate the decisions and intentions of students regarding whether to eat insects to control the escalating locust population. The research pinpoints several factors as being the most important in shaping participants´ attitude towards the idea of either trying or avoiding the locust-based food – those would be something like disgust, deeply held religious views, and merely care toward the surrounding environment. On top of this, cultural influences and knowledge gaps became the essential determinants that worked to promote those decisions. This analysis applied a multipronged approach to investigate the multifarious parts that affect food choices, especially with regard to dietary innovation such as locusts. This research, not only shows a broader approach to the analysis of insect consumption in Pakistan but also contributes to effective educational programs leading to a rise in awareness level on this issue. These strategies are quite essential in the context of the issue and can contribute to the development of cheap, high-quality food and the resolution of the global food security quandary.

Indigenous values and perspectives for strengthening food security and sovereignty: learning from a community-based case study of Misko-ziibiing (Bloodvein River First Nation), Manitoba, Canada

In recent years, changing environmental, developmental activity, government policies and laws, lifestyle changes and affordability dynamics have continued to threaten the self determination and food sovereignty of Indigenous peoples in the community. Their perspectives, teachings, and voices are rarely present in any scholarly work. Despite food security being a significant challenge among many First Nations communities on Turtle Island, there needs to be more empirical, community-based research that underscores the role of traditional food systems and associated values and teachings in Manitoban communities through an Indigenous lens. This research addresses that gap by building upon Indigenous perspectives and knowledges on the status and future directions of food security and sovereignty in Misko-ziibiing (Bloodvein River First Nation). Guided by Indigenous research protocol and using a qualitative research approach, ten in-depth interviews with Bloodvein River First Nation (BVR) and Winnipeg Elders were conducted. Data was also sourced through discussions with local council members, participant observation, and field visits during 2017. The fundamental values and traditional teachings associated with food sovereignty within the community are aligned with the spirit of sharing, including sharing ethics and protocols, social learning within the community, and intergenerational transmission. Enhanced intergenerational transmission of traditional teachings, education and language revitalization, and local leadership involvement can strengthen these social and cultural values to enhance Indigenous food security and sovereignty in Misko-ziibiing. This research identifies the knowledge and views of Elders, hunters, trappers and fishers, contributing to the current studies associated with traditional food systems and teachings. Strengthening social and cultural traditions and values is vital in working toward Indigenous food governance, sovereignty, and revitalization of their Indigenous food systems.

Exploring practices, challenges, and priorities for human health and ecological risk assessments in Indigenous communities in Canada.

Indigenous peoples in Canada are disproportionately exposed to environmental contaminants and may face elevated health risks related to their unique cultural, spiritual, and economic relationships with the land, including the use of traditional food systems. However, to date, institutionalized approaches to assess risks to human and ecological health from contaminants have not been well developed or implemented with Indigenous community contexts in mind. There is regulatory interest in developing new approach methods for risk assessment, and thus an opportunity to increase their relevance to Indigenous communities in which they will be ultimately applied. Therefore, we conducted an anonymous mixed-methods survey of those involved with risk assessment in Indigenous communities in Canada to: (1) understand risk assessment practice in Indigenous communities, (2) explore challenges with conventional assessment methods and compare these across sectors, and (3) gather perspectives on the development of new approaches. In all, 38 completed survey responses were received (14% response rate). Respondents were from Indigenous community environment and health offices (21% of respondents), Indigenous governments (8%), federal and provincial governments (21%), and academia (45%). Risk communication was seen as the most challenging part of risk assessment (71% responded "difficult"), and nearly all respondents agreed that time (86%), cost (76%), and resource availability (86%) were "moderate" to "serious" problems. Few respondents (16%) had heard of "new approach methods" for risk assessment, and 76% of respondents (and 100% of community-based respondents) agreed on the need to develop improved risk assessment approaches. To modernize risk assessment, respondents recommended advancing cumulative risk assessment methods, improving risk communication, and promoting Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in assessment activities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1677-1692. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Navigating Legal and Regulatory Frameworks to Achieve the Resilience and Sustainability of Indigenous Socioecological Systems

The sustainability of Indigenous Socioecological Systems (ISES) largely depends on well-crafted policy regulations. In particular, Indigenous traditional food systems (ITFS) are an essential component of ISES that provide a variety of culturally accepted, healthy foods while also playing an important role in cultural, spiritual, and economic value to the Indigenous people (IP). Thus, sustainably managing these traditional natural resources must be a priority. As custodians of much of the world’s ecological system, IP have, for generations, exhibited sustainable lifestyles in governing these systems. However, Indigenous perspectives and voices have not been properly reflected in the ISES sustainability discourse, and few comparative case studies have addressed this issue. This study contributes to fill this research gap using a desktop research method based on the Political Ecological Theoretical Framework (PETF) to examine how existing regulatory policies may affect the resilience and sustainability of ISES-ITFS, especially in relation to growing environmental and climatic pressures. Two Indigenous communities, the Karen in Thailand and different Indigenous groups in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Russia, are examined as case studies. Our study provides crucial insight that should help the development of robust policy interventions that integrate Indigenous concerns into policies and regulations, emphasizing self-determination, cultural preservation, and land rights. The findings emphasize the necessity for comprehensive legal frameworks prioritizing Indigenous involvement and concerns in climate and sustainability policy implementations. The ultimate goal is to foster meaningful dialogues between policymakers and IP in navigating the climate and sustainability challenges of our time.

Quelites—Agrobiodiversity beyond our crops

The monoculture of a handful of energy-dense crops that dominates contemporary agriculture has resulted in an erosion of agrobiodiversity, environmental issues, agroecosystem dependency on off-farm inputs, and diets with poor diversity in nutrients and flavors. However, diversified agriculture persists in communities characterized by subsistence farming, many of them Indigenous. Although movements across Latin America aim to rescue agrobiodiversity, they are widely limited to cropping system diversification, including practices such as crop rotations, intercropping, and cover crops. The agrobiodiversity of plants associated with crops, often labeled as weeds, is commonly not considered in this context. Yet edible weeds are the essential components of traditional food systems where they increase the functional diversity of agroecosystems and contribute to human nutrition. In Mexico, the term “quelite” describes noncultivated but edible plants growing on a crop field. Across the American continent, there are nutritious quelites that are commonly perceived as “weeds.” In this article, we discuss the concept of quelites, their origin in traditional Mexican agriculture, their significance for agroecosystem diversification, and their potential for the future. We demonstrate, with 12 examples, that quelites have always been part of agroecosystems across the Americas. We aim to spread the concept of quelites beyond traditional farming in Mexico to promote the use of these promising plants. We conclude the article with suggestions for strategies to achieve this goal. Please refer to Supplementary Materials, Full text Spanish version of this article, for a full text Spanish version of this article.

Traditional food systems of Kumaon region (Uttarakhand): A blend of taste with medicinal attributes

Traditional food systems of Kumaon region (Uttarakhand): A blend of taste with medicinal attributes

Molecular marker-assisted genetic diversity analysis in soybean cultivars from Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India

‘Bhat’ is the soybean variety highly valued in the traditional food and therapeutic system of Uttarakhand state in the Indian Himalayan region. It is available in diverse colors, shapes, and sizes, often linked to their nutritional parameters. The present investigation was conducted to assess the diversity and genetic relatedness in ‘bhat’ genotype indigenous to the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand. 25 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to determine the genetic diversity and varietal identification among the 45 genotypes collected from the different villages of Uttarakhand. Out of the different markers assessed only 13 primers showed amplification with the maximum of 2–4 alleles obtained with each primer with the molecular weight ranging between 80 and 400 kb. The highest band amplification was observed in Satt 257 and Satt 197. The allelic frequencies of amplified primers ranged from 0.5 to 0.833 with a mean value of 0.645 and the mean gene diversity and PIC value was found to be 0.43 and 0.33. Satt 183, Satt 288, and Satt 389 showed the highest polymorphism, while Satt257 and Satt245 exhibited the presence of unique alleles in some samples. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the genotypes into 4 major clusters having visually distinct phenotypes in each group, indicating the mixing of population and loss of authenticity also confirming that phenotypic attributes are not indicative of genetic relatedness among the genotype under study. The results indicate the need for the development of novel ‘bhat’ specific markers for more accurate genetic identification of the nutritionally rich indigenous soybean variety.

Aligning Santal Tribe Menu Templates with EAT-Lancet Commission's Dietary Guidelines for Sustainable and Healthy Diets: A Comparative Analysis.

In the context of global shifts in food systems, this paper explores the unique dietary practices of the Santal tribe, an indigenous group in eastern India, to understand the health, nutrition, and sustainability aspects of their traditional food systems. This study evaluates the nutritional content of the Santal diet in comparison to the EAT-Lancet Commission's 2019 dietary guidelines for healthy and sustainable diets. The University of East Anglia, in collaboration with the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in Cambridge, PRADAN; colleagues in India and local Santal youth, conducted nutritional analyses of traditional Santal recipes. Two menu templates, Kanhu Thali and Jhano Thali, were selected for comparative analysis based on their representation of diverse dietary practices within the Santal community. Nutritional data, including energy as well as the distribution of macronutrients and micronutrients, were compiled and compared with the EAT-Lancet guidelines. The Santal menu templates (nutritionally complete meals) demonstrated alignment with EAT-Lancet recommendations in aspects such as whole grains, starchy vegetables, vegetables, plant-based protein sources, unsaturated fats, and limited added sugars. However, notable deviations included the absence of animal-based protein sources and dairy. The Santal diet showed high protein intake, largely from plant-based sources, and emphasised the importance of whole grains. Seasonal variations in nutritional content were observed between the two templates. While the Santal diet aligns with some aspects of global dietary guidelines, there are notable deviations that underscore the complexity of aligning traditional diets with universal recommendations. The findings emphasise the need for culturally sensitive dietary recommendations that respect traditional diets while promoting sustainability. Research needs to support tailored global guidelines enshrining core principles of nutritional adequacy which are inter-culturally operable in order to accommodate cultural diversity, local practices, and seasonal variations, crucial for fostering sustainable and healthy eating habits in diverse sociodemographic contexts.