Cuisine of the Month: Ethiopian

Meal Plan Created By: Amanda Kostro Miller

Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, may boast one of the most unique cuisines in the world. Full of diverse flavors, rich dishes, and the perfect amount of spice, Ethiopian cuisine is packed with delicious and good-for-you ingredients. Learn more about Ethiopian cuisine, and then try it out for yourself by downloading our free, weeklong Ethiopian meal plan created by a Registered Dietitian.

Download The Printable Meal Plan 

Health Benefits Of Ethiopian Food

Plant-Based Focus

43% of Ethiopia’s population identifies as Orthodox Christian, while another 35% are Muslim.¹ The religious influence in Ethiopian culture has made its mark on the country’s culinary tradition. Since both religions require their followers to abstain from meat for some time of the year, many of Ethiopia’s most well-known dishes are vegetarian or vegan.² While the cuisine isn’t entirely plant-based, incorporating a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other minimally-processed foods into a balanced diet could have various health benefits, including improving lifespan while lowering the risk of coronary disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.³

High In Fiber

Many Ethiopian staples are high in fiber. For example, injera (a spongy, Ethiopian flatbread) is often used as a utensil to grip food and scoop up stews and sauces. Traditional injera is made out of teff flour, a gluten-free grain native to Ethiopia. Combined with other high-fiber ingredients, like lentils, this cuisine is rich in fiber. High-fiber diets can promote bowel health, help control blood sugar levels, and may provide heart-health benefits like reducing blood pressure and inflammation.⁴

Rich In Antioxidants

Many Ethiopian herb and spice mixtures, like berbere, are created using antioxidant-rich herbs and spices. Natural antioxidants found in herbs and spices may help reduce oxidative stress, which, when left unchecked, has been linked to an array of diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular issues.⁵

Heart Healthy Ethiopian Recipes

To experience a range of Ethopian flavors and dishes, try our free, 7-day Ethiopian meal plan. From experimenting with spice with hearty chicken or vegetarian stews to embracing vegetarian dishes like gomen, you’ll expand your palate and try something new each day. Of course, don’t forget to try making your own Injera to get the authentic experience!

¹https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/28/ethiopia-is-an-outlier-in-the-orthodox-christian-world/
²https://adhc.lib.ua.edu/globalfoodways/the-religious-impact-on-ethiopias-national-cuisine/#:~:text=The%20Coptic%20Orthodox%20Church%2C%20the,of%20the%20year%20(Seleshe).&text=Other%20vegetarian%20dishes%20depend%20on,the%20food%20is%20actually%20served.
³https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-why-should-you-try-it-2018092614760
⁴https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618098/