1. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Dina Qahwaji

2. Overview Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest cities in Makka and Medina. Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian Peninsula. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

3. Geographic location It is bordered to the northwest by Jordan, to the north by Iraq and Kuwait, to the west by the Red sea and to the east Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and to the south by Yemen. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

4. Overview of environment Saudi Arabias agricultural development over the last three decades has been amazing. Large areas of desert have been turned into agricultural fields – a major achievement in a country that receives an average of about four inches of rain a year, one of the lowest rates in the world. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

5. Today, Saudi Arabia exports wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables and flowers to markets around the world. Dates, once a staple of the Saudi diet, are now mainly grown for global humanitarian aid. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

6. Population It has an estimated population of 27.6 million, including about 5.5 million resident foreigners. 0-14 years: 38% (male 5,458,023/female 5,245,911) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,470,353/female 7,284,696) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 356,910/female 330,764) (2008 est.) Dr. Dina Qahwaji

7. Majority of Saudis Traveling - Bedouin (Arab). Most of Saudi are Arabian and some of them colony came from Asia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesians. Minorities in Saudis Pilgrimage. Around 100,000 westerns who generally live in private companies campus. Labors (mostly from Asia and Africa). Dr. Dina Qahwaji

8. Main factors influence food habits Inherited cultural values from the nomadic Bedouin who prized honor, valor, loyalty, and hospitality. The old Arabian control of the spice routes. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

9. The food restrictions given from Islam. Availability of ingredients (reflection of regional environments) that limit and lead to specific choices. Today the main affected factor is modernization and all its related dynamics. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

10. Other possible factors Personal experience with other culture (traveling or originality) Accept and may consume different cultural food Personal education also ease the person on accepting different flavors. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

11. Therapeutic use why we belief in these certain way The majority of Saudi are social type, living in groups. Always trust and follow a leader (grandparents, sheik, leader). Saudi in general trust science and fate in the same time and when one part weight more, the total habit is affected. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

12. Common disease and nutrition problem Why these are more common? Overweight and Obesity Diabetes Cardiovascular disease Cancers Low level of physical activity High consumption of fat and calories Genetics Pollutions – infected environment Dr. Dina Qahwaji

13. Food items and dishes why we eat these specific food?? Saudi cuisine is rich in taste and appearance, Saudi Arabia is a country of many cultures. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

14. Common Foods (from other countries) Dr. Dina Qahwaji Bukhary rice, and Manto from Turkistan. Kabli rice from Kabul. Biryani and Sambousa from India and Pakistan. Tabouleh, Fatoush and Kibbih from Lebanon and Syria. Mulokhiya, Mahshi and Kufta from Egypt. Shawerma and Shishberek from Turkey. Mutabbag and Lahouh from Yemen.

15. Thousands of interaction years with many culture have influence Saudi cuisine. It create wonderful marriage of flavor suggestive of many nations but with individual Saudi taste. The effect of pilgrims. The history of Islam that start in Arabian holy land and form special relation with other countries. Location of Saudi between different countries. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

16. Meal Pattern In traditional Saudi setting, several plates are placed on sufra, a circular mat used as a tablecloth or a rectangular plastic cover placed on the floor. Limit use of tools Why? Originality habit Large number of family members (men and women separated) Eating are strongly social activities. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

17. Getting modernized International restaurants. Accept other culture taste Limit the cultural food and limit home prepared meals. Long work hours Women work Late lunch – longer work hours. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

18. Differences in each region within Saudi Arabia Dr. Dina Qahwaji The southern region special tools are used (stoneware) to get slow and even cooking, also good for keeping food hot on long trips. Shafot is a popular dish made with lahuh and laban zabadi. The eastern region well-known for its very special seafood dishes and their own spices. The Alahasaa area have their own recipes, Mashkhul is a popular Arabian Gulf rice dish made with meat, chicken, or fish.

19. Dr. Dina Qahwaji Riyad area boast margoug (pastry in vegetable and meat sauce), mathloutha and mufattah (whole lamb, roasted). The Western region of course is well-known for the biggest variety of dishes in all Saudi Arabia countries plus its unique flavor and taste that people generate throughout the years. Some of the Hijazi dishes are Aish Abo-laham, Maasub and Saleag.

20. A dining experience begin with traditional coffee or/and fruit juice. Dr. Dina Qahwaji Foremost of the requirements of hospitality in Arabia is the preparation and serving of Qahwah Arabiyah, Arab coffee, unsweetened but flavored with cardamom. Fresh juice such as mango, or orange Mix of apple juice and sparkling water garnish with fresh mint and fruit pieces known as Saudi Champagne is popular drink.

21. Rice is a dietary stable. A famous Kabsa rice with lamb whole or large chunk. Rice is served plain, with vegetables, spice and even with rose water. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

22. Lamb, goat, and camel are traditionally cooked either on rice or stuffed with wheat, rice, herbs, nuts, and/or spices. Kibba, sambousak, and stuffed grape leaves can be side dishes. In coastal area fresh seafood is a favorite. Fried whole fish, sayadia (rice cooked with fried rice and spices) served with tahina (sesames seeds paste). Dr. Dina Qahwaji

23. Jarish is a popular dish and it is nourishing blend of cracked whole wheat. No matter whether a meal is meat, fish, or vegetables, bread, is always an addition. Meal traditionally end with a serving with fresh fruit. Delicious kenafa, beklawa, gatayif are common pastry base flavored with sugar, honey and nuts. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

24. Nutrition intake Saudis diet rich of grains which is a good source of energy. With its essential coating of bran, fibers, vitamins and minerals, it is excellent health – building food. High consumption of meat (red meat) and rice. Consumption of fruit and vegetable are vary depends on several factors. Dr. Dina Qahwaji

25. What do you think the future habits of Saudi??? Dr. Dina Qahwaji