Quality and Nutrient Loss in the Cooking Vegetable and Its Implications for Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Africans are leaving a period of increased unpredictability of new and emerging crises, from the pandemic to war and climate catastrophes. Only if we invest in boosting our capacity to respond to various crises will Africans be able to survive and thrive. Ethiopia is pursuing diversification of its food and nutrition security. However, preparation and consumption problems contribute to a health risk linked to malnutrition. Thus, the purpose of this review is to scrutinize preparation methods, evaluate nutrient losses, and outline future agendas. Vegetable preparation is neglected in Ethiopia, and the methods, cooking standards, and nutrient loss are all not identified. Likewise, the health risks and fate of malnutrition in the country are increasing extraordinarily. Ethiopian traditions of vegetable cooking are not supported by technology, food makers are not equipped with training, and the government is not concerned about the problems. Vitamins and minerals are entirely lost from vegetables during the cooking process, leading to the development of health risks such as stunting, wasting, and underweight problems. The government does not monitor, check, and evaluate cooked vegetables. Hence, Ethiopia should set cooking standards, and of all methods scrutinized, 2–5 minutes (leafy), 5–10 minutes (roots and tubers), and 3–8 minutes (stem) are recommended by many scholars as the standard for cooking vegetables.

Keywords:

• cooking standards
• cooking vegetables
• malnutrition causes
• nutrition
• school feeding

Data Sharing Statement

The dataset that supports the findings of this review is included in the article.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the anonymous editors and potential reviewers for their valuable input to the manuscript.

Disclosure

The author declares no conflicts of interest for this work.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this manuscript.