What is the core idea of nutritionisim
Approach to food and eating that reduces everything down to nutrients like (protein, vitamins, carbs, fats) instead of looking at food as a whole, or considering cultural, social and personal aspects of eating
Given an example of how nutrition ism shows up in public health policies
Mandatory food fortification (flour enriched with thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, folic acid)
Why is nutrition ism considered in adequate?
It isolates nutrients from cultural and biological context and cannot fully explain what how and why humans eat
Give an example of nutritionisim
Instead of saying an apple is healthy, nutritionisim Says an apple is good because it has fibre and vitamin C
Given an example of nutrient based recommendations
Instead of saying “ eat more dairy” guidelines often say (adults 19-50 yrs) should get 1000mg of calcium per day
-the focus is on the nutrient number rather than the actual food that provides it
What does food fortification do?
It’s a process by which vitamins, minerals and amino acids are added to foods that provide us with sufficient, but not excessive amount amounts of nutrients in our diet
This prevents diseases
How does the biological approach explain human eating?
By focussing on human evolution and biological adaptations (lactase persistence, AMY1 starch gene)
How does the cultural approach explain human eating?
By focussing on traditions, religious practices, cuisines, and meanings attached to food (Ramadan, Passover)
What are micro nutrients?
Vitamins + minerals , calcium, iron
What are macro nutrients?
Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
What makes the bio cultural approach unique compared to cultural approach and biological approach?
The bicultural approach looks at how biology and culture intersect
Ex: dairy herding culture led to genetic selection for lactose tolerance
Why are humans called overwhelmingly social eaters?
Because eating decisions (what, when, with whom, and how) are shaped by social contexts; meals, reinforce social structure, and group identity
Give three cultural/social functions of food
- Hospitality (inviting guests.)
- Celebration (birthday cake)
- Religious fasting (Ramadan)
Example of food as symbolic value in religion
Parsley is dipped into salt water during the Seder. The salt water serves as a reminder of the tears shed by Jews during Egyptian slavery in ancient times.
What is a cuisine?
A style of cooking associated with a specific culture or region characterized by distinctive ingredients, preparation methods, and dishes
Why is nixtamalization of maize an important, cultural biological practice?
It makes corn more nutritious by increasing niacin bio availability, preventing deficiency
What is nixtamalization of maize
Process of soaking and cooking corn in an alkaline solution (usually lime water made from calcium hydroxide)
This process releases vitamin B three so it can be absorbed by the body, improving protein quality and makes it easily digestible, adding calcium to the diet
How can humans overcome innate taste aversions like bitterness?
Through repeated exposure, social prompting and social approval (coffee, beer)
What does the lucky iron fish symbolize?
A culturally acceptable, iron supplement shaped as a fish to combat iron deficiency anaemia in Cambodia
Example of food used therapeutically in cultural traditions?
Traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda classify foods as medicinal
Example of food aesthetics
Thai fruit/vegetable carvings, or Japanese plate arrangements
Define gene cultural coevolution
A dynamic process where a cultural practises create selective pressures that drive, genetic adaptations and vice versa
Culture creates new environments and biology adapts
What is an example of gene culture co-evolution in the diet?
Dairy herding:
In populations that raised cattle and drank milk people with mutation to keep producing lactase survived better passing on the trait
cereal, agriculture: populations, eating, starchy foods evolved, more copies of amylase gene, improving starch digestion
