Food, nutrition, and health in Croatia

Croatia is a country abundant in food of all kinds. As a result, most of the population meets dietary recommendations in spite of the fact that there are some vulnerable subgroups if particular nutrients are under/overconsumed (e.g., iron deficiency in pregnant women, excessive salt intake in adults). These, together with food safety issues, represent a point of concern for the future. Traditional food products are present throughout the country. Some of these are very popular and therefore common in the modern diet, while others are protected as an intangible cultural heritage. The chapter provides an overview of the dietary habits and patterns in various population groups across Croatia and presents some of the country’s traditional food products.