Unusual diets gain ground

Demand for vegetarian and vegan menu options is increasing as diners in the Middle East become more health conscious.

Chef at Magnolia, a vegetarian restaurant located at the Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah, Gabriela Kurz, has noticed a steep upward trend in the number of diners willing to try a meat-free meal.

"Vegan food is definitely a current trend in the UAE, even more than in Europe in fact," she claimed. "We are very keen to introduce more vegan food to Dubai's culinary scene."

Meat-free diets are also gaining ground elsewhere in the region - at Le Meridien Al Aqah in Fujairah, the percentage of fruitarians(those who depend on a diet of raw fruit and seeds only) and vegans has gone up to 40% from the previous year, according to chef Pravin Bagali.

"Since more guests are turning fruitarian and vegan, menus are being planned for buffets and restaurants accordingly," he said.

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Vegetarian food
Posted by Ben on Sunday 30 November 2008 at 22:03 UAE time


I've noticed the vegetarian menus when visiting Dubai restaurants last summer. It looks like the health consensus is really spreading.

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