Health expert's warning over TikTok's Balkan breakfast trend as they share 'concerns'
From adding an iron fish to your soups and stews to 'milking' cucumbers, TikTok is home to all kinds of culinary hacks, all promising to spice up your dishes, cut down your time in the kitchen or give you a health boost.
One of the latest food trends to do the rounds on social media is the Balkan breakfast, thanks to a video posted by TikTok user @.dayi_. Think a breakfast spread featuring cheese, bread and whole raw vegetables like peppers and tomatoes.
Other TikTok users have been quick to jump on the trend, sharing videos showing them tucking into raw or pickled veg, cured meats and cheese. Some even accompanied their feast with dips like Ajvar, a red pepper condiment popular in the Balkans.
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The trend has received backlash from some Balkans who claim that it's not authentic, however others have said it is in fact a common occurrence in their household. "As a Balkan we eat them like a charcuterie board, they are cut in pieces," one user commented.
"We had cured bacon, onion, pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, feta style cheese and fresh bread in my house."
Another concern with the trend is the high amount of fibre in the dishes. TikTok user @theplantslant warned: "Robb said he couldn’t get off the toilet after this, so if you’re not used to eating 100 grams of fibre like I am, be careful with this trend."
Speaking to Delish, Certified Holistic Nutritionist and founder of The Office Health Jamie Maitland emphasised the risks associated with the high fibre content of a Balkan breakfast. "I have a few concerns about loading up on fibre first thing in the morning," she said.
"Sure, fibre can help you feel full and aid digestion, but it can also cause bloating or stomach discomfort, especially if you're not used to it. Jumping from low to high fibre overnight might be a bit rough on your stomach."
She described the trend as "somewhat healthy", providing you choose high-quality ingredients free of anti-nutrients. "Pickled vegetables can be a great way to get your veggies in, as long as there’s no added sugar," she explained, adding you should find a "sweet spot" amount of fibre for you and your body.
"Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this as a nutrient-dense breakfast option to any of my clients," she summarised. "Starting your day with highly processed bread can spike your insulin, which isn’t great for your pancreas. Raw peppers and cucumbers contain lectins that can cause micro-tears in the gut lining, so it’s best to peel and deseed them.
"As for cured meats, they’re often loaded with sugar, so unless you’re using homemade cured meats with no added sugar, I’d steer clear of that lower-quality meat."