It is possible to lose weight with local dishes

Dietitian Özgür Haykır, who completed his master's degree at SUBÜ Graduate Education Institute Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department, reached the conclusion that it is possible to lose weight by consuming local dishes in his thesis.

Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (SUBU) Graduate School of Postgraduate Education Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department student Dietitian Özgür Haykır, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Serkan Şengül, 'Analysis of the Use of Local Cuisine in Diet Sustainability: The Case of Sakarya' master's thesis study was completed. In the research conducted within the framework of the thesis, 55 people were given nutrition programs that included local dishes belonging to the Sakarya region and geographically marked local dishes that can be found in Sakarya. As a result of the applied programs, it was concluded that it is possible to lose weight by consuming local dishes.

“We have reached the conclusion that it is possible to lose weight by consuming local dishes”

Emphasizing that the most important factor in the thesis study was the portion sizes, Dietitian Özgür Haykır said, “It was observed that there was a significant decrease in the body weight of the participants who continued the nutrition program. Nutritionists recommend a weekly weight loss of 0.5-1 kilogram in a healthy weight loss program. Considering this situation, in the study conducted within the thesis, an average weight loss of 1 and a half kilograms was observed with the nutrition programs applied in a two-week period. At the end of the diet program, a high level of satisfaction was obtained with 37.40 points in the satisfaction survey conducted to the participants and evaluated over 50 points. Cultural habits should also be taken into consideration for individuals to gain healthy eating habits,” said Prof. Dr. Serkan Şengül, thesis advisor and Head of SUBU Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department, who pointed out that local flavors should not be lost, ‘We followed programs that were carried out with attention to portion amounts. In the nutrition program, which includes dishes such as ’Pumpkin Dessert‘, ’Islama Meatballs‘ and ’Circassian Chicken', we have reached the conclusion that it is possible to lose weight by consuming local dishes.”