UTILIZAÇÃO DE PLANTAS ALIMENTÍCIAS NÃO CONVENCIONAIS (PANC'S) EM CARDÁPIOS PROPOSTOS PARA O PROGRAMA TÁ NA MESA DO GOVERNO DA PARAÍBA

Abstract

Food insecurity is a global challenge that affects millions of people and, in Brazil, is exacerbated by regional inequalities. In this context, the Tá na Mesa Program, implemented by the Government of Paraíba, represents a food security strategy by providing ready-to-eat meals, prioritizing staple foods and family farming. This study aimed to design and evaluate regional menus incorporating Unconventional Food Plants (UFPs), considering nutritional aspects and cultural identity across the state’s four mesoregions. A descriptive-analytical study was conducted in four stages: documentary survey of traditional preparations; elaboration of twenty menus (five per mesoregion); nutritional composition analysis based on TACO and TBCA databases; and statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis test with pairwise comparisons. The menus provided energy values ranging from 770 to 1460 kcal per meal (median ≈1050 kcal), with carbohydrates (47–50% of TEV) and lipids (23–29%) within recommended ranges, while protein values (24–26% of TEV) consistently exceeded the 15% upper limit. Among micronutrients, iron, vitamin C, and dietary fiber were adequate, whereas calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate were below recommended values across all regions. Median sodium intake exceeded 2000 mg in several menus, particularly in the Sertão region. The inclusion of UFPs expanded nutritional diversity and reinforced cultural identity. In conclusion, the proposed menus demonstrated nutritional and cultural feasibility but require adjustments to balance protein and sodium intake and enhance critical micronutrients.