Dietary practices
Global
The Irish population consume a wide variety of foods and beverages. Almost everyone consumes potatoes, bread (Irish soda bread) and dairy products (milk, cheese, cream and yoghurt). Irish people also consume a wide range of meats (bacon, ham, chicken, sausages and beef), meat dishes, vegetables (cabbage, onion, leek, carrot, parsnip, tomato, broccoli and parsley), vegetable dishes (salads) and fruits (bananas and citrus fruits).
The most common beverage is tea. Alcohol (Irish whisky, Murphy’s and Guinness), milk, coffee and carbonated beverages are also widely drunk.
Irish cuisine
The Irish cuisine is known for simple, savoury dishes. Traditional Irish dishes are very popular. This consists of simple dishes with ingredients that can be found across the country. Irish cuisine is also known for the quality and freshness of the products. Few herbs or spices are used in cooking and the dishes are served without sauce or gravy.
Daily diet
The Traditional Irish breakfast is extensive and includes bread, pancakes, porridge, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and various meat products. Nowadays with 
the hectic lifestyle it is eaten only as a treat as the weekends or on holidays. Irish people drink tea or coffee with milk at the breakfast.
Lunch was originally the most important meal of the day. A typical meal consists of bacon, sausage, potatoes and onion soup. Today, the Irish eat a lighter lunch such as a cup of soup with bread.
By the end of the afternoon Irish people often drink tea with possibly a scone or a slice of barmbrack (fermented bread with raisins).
An Irish dinner usually contains potatoes. When the dinner contains fish, this is usually salmon or cod. Meat is more popular. The most common meats are beef, lamb and pork.
Before bedtime, the Irish consume a light snack with tea.
Traditional Irish food and drinks
|
Dish |
What is it |
|
Barmbrack |
Fermented bread with raisins. |
|
Battered sausage |
Breaded pork sausages. |
|
Beamish, Guinness, Murphy’s |
Beer. |
|
Black pudding |
Blood sausage of pork, grains and spices. |
|
Boxty |
Filled potato pancake. |
|
Champ |
Made of mashed potatoes, chopped green onions, butter and milk. |
|
Colcannon |
Made of mashed potatoes, chopped cabbage, butter and milk. |
|
Dublin coddle |
Soup with carrot, onion, potato, chicory, boiled sausage, ham, thyme, black pepper and barley. |
|
Goody |
Bread boiled in milk with sugar and cinnamon. |
|
Irish coffee |
Coffee with whisky in it. |
|
Irish soda bread |
Made of buttermilk and soda instead of yeast. |
|
Irish stew |
Stew made from lamb, mutton or beef, potatoes, carrots, onion and parsley. |
|
Irish whisky |
Whisky from Ireland. |
|
Limerick ham |
On juniper smoked bacon. |
|
Scones |
Made from wheat, barley or oatmeal. Baking powder is used as a leavening agent. |
Food energy and macronutrients
|
Daily intake Irish population |
Recommended |
|
|
Carbohydrates (EN%) |
47 |
55 |
|
Protein (EN%) |
17 |
10-15 |
|
Fat (EN%) |
36 |
<35 |
The absolute daily intake of carbohydrates and fat has decreased modestly since 1998, while protein intake had increased. However, between 1998 and 2007, the percentage contribution to food energy from protein has remained stable; similarly for fat and carbohydrates.
Sources: Culirama, European cuisines, Harrington, J. et al , Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland