A traditional Irish diet consists of a variety of meat, potatoes, bread, milk and vegetables. Tea is also a common beverage in the country.
The irish diet is considered to be relatively healthy compared to other European countries. The average person’s calorie intake likely came from dairy mostly, then meat and grains fairly equally.
Meat
Throughout history, meats were an important part of the Irish diet. Both domestic and wild animals were slaughtered for food, though the most popular was pork.
Pork was roasted on a spit (bir) or grilled, and was usually served in a stew or soup. Beef was also consumed, either fresh or salted and boiled in a cauldron.
Fish was also eaten, and the seafood of choice was a wide variety of shellfish, particularly lobsters. Seaweed was also an important component of the diet.
Fish
The Irish diet has always been based on a mixture of wild foods, agricultural food and foods imported from other countries. Over the centuries, these have shaped our diets and the country that we live in.
The importance of fish in the irish diet has changed over time as well. It was once a staple food for both the wealthy and the poor.
It is important to note that although the irish diet has changed over the years, fish remains a staple food and an essential part of many modern meals. It is a healthy source of protein and contains a range of nutrients.
Vegetables
Ireland’s climatic conditions are conducive to growing a wide range of vegetables. Potatoes are a key staple, with many people also eating other root vegetables such as turnips, carrots and onions.
As the weather warms, a greater variety of vegetables becomes available. Vegetables are an important part of the Irish diet and are an essential source of vitamins and minerals.
Until the introduction of the potato, the Irish contented themselves primarily with oats and barley. These could be cooked as porridge or breads. Alternatively, oats could be stored for long periods and eaten as a meal at nigh or in the liquid state.
Grains
Grains such as oats, wheat and barley formed the staple of the medieval Irish diet. They were either cooked as porridge or as breads.
In the middle ages, the majority of people in Ireland lived on grains and dairy. A third of their calories came from dairy, followed by meat and vegetables.
Oats were the most common grain, but wheaten bread was also very popular, particularly among the aristocracy. It was kneaded with a variety of equipment including a kneading trough lasat, a kneading slab lecc and a griddle lann.
Today, a wide range of grains are available, from quinoa to couscous and from oatcakes to grits. All have a range of health benefits, including the ability to lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce abdominal fat.
Dairy
Dairy products are a vital part of the irish diet and provide a variety of important nutrients, including calcium, potassium and vitamin D. These foods help to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
In addition to dairy, a large portion of the irish diet is made up of meat and fish. Irish breakfasts include a range of sausages, bacon and black pudding.
People also eat large lunches, often a soup such as Dublin coddle or a plate of sandwiches with a glass of milk. At supper, people eat a simple meal of a slice of bread and butter or some type of cheese.