MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina, spaghetti or beef country?

The myth about Argentines feeding virtually only on beef was swept aside by economic difficulties and the more modest spaghetti figures as the staple dish, according to a poll released this week in Buenos Aires.

Spaghetti and other forms of less sophisticated pasta rank first in Argentine diet, 78%, while beef stakes are fifth, 63%, although crumbed fried cheap beef cuts figure second, 74%, followed by vegetable salads, 72%, and rice 64%.

Contrary to most countries in the world where fish is the main dish and in spite of the long South Atlantic coastline and abundant fisheries resources, Argentines are not keen consumers of fish or sea food: only 5% of interviews admitted it was the basis of their diet.

The Latinpanel poll which surveyed 3.000 Argentine families during 2005 showed that on average Argentines consume beef 17 days a month, with 30% every day and 32% between three and four times a week.

"From the available data we can say that Argentines prefer protein and simple carbohydrate rich food. Feeding is not the same as eating since nutritious ingredients means taking into account quantity, quality, balance, taste, habit and consumers economic possibilities", said Silvia Juarez nutritionist from the Austral University.

However Argentines still top the world rank of per capita beef consumption with an annual average of 68 kilos, reports the Beef Promotion Institute.

Actually Argentines have changed to a certain extent the traditional stake, (which in 2005 saw its price balloon higher than the official 12.3% inflation), for cheaper cuts such as crumbed fried beef, hamburgers or minced meat.