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Cultural and Religious
Influences on Food and Nutrition
Chapter 10
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Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious
Influences on Food and Nutrition
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Nutritional requirements among people of similar age and gender are essentially the same
throughout the world
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How a person chooses to satisfy nutritional requirements is influenced by many variables
including:
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Culture
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Socioeconomic status
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Personal factors
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Religion
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American Cuisine
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American cuisine is a rich and complex melting pot of foods and cooking methods that have
been adapted and adopted from cuisines brought to the U.S. by immigrants such as:
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Early settlers
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Native Americans
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West African slaves
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Mexican immigrants
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Chinese and Italian immigrants
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American Cuisine (cont’d)
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Cross-cultural food creations
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“Typical American diet” is difficult to define
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Driven by expediency and ease, convenience foods and restaurant-sourced meals (either eat-in
or take-out) are a driving force in current food trends
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American Cuisine (cont’d)
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Convenience foods
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On a typical night in 2007, 89% of meal preparers made dinner at home
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57% of those made dinner from scratch
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24% made their “home-cooked” meals with prepackaged foods that require
some preparation
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8% used only frozen or heat-and-serve prepackaged foods
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American Cuisine (cont’d)
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Convenience foods (cont’d)
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What is important in defining “convenience food”
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Helps me maintain a healthy diet is the top answer
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Convenience products range from convenient ingredients used to make home-cooked
meals to complete, ready-to-heat meals
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The more convenient the meal is, the greater the impact all around on time, budget,
and nutritional value
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On the downside, these products tend to be high in sodium
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American Cuisine (cont’d)
Restaurant-sourced meals
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In 2006, the average American ate out approximately 5 times/week
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Compared to 3 years ago, Americans say they are less willing to pay more for healthy
dishes
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Americans go for value/combo meals because they are easy, convenient, and
inexpensive
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Meals ordered out
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Question
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What is true of the typical American diet?
a. Is high in calcium and selenium
b. The majority of foods served are made from “scratch”
c. Does not include foods from other cultures
d. Is difficult to define
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Answer
d. Is difficult to define
Rationale: A “typical American diet” is difficult to define.
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The Impact of Culture
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Culture has a profound and unconscious effect on food choices
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Race, ethnicity, and geographic region are often inaccurately assumed to be synonymous with
culture
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Leads to stereotypic grouping
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Subgroups within a culture display a unique range of cultural characteristics that affect food
intake and nutritional status
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Defined by culture
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What is edible
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Role of food
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How food is prepared
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Symbolic use of food
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When and how food is eaten
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Culture defines what is edible
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Determines what is edible and what is inedible
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To be labeled a food, an item must be readily available, safe, and nutritious enough to
support reproduction
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Culture overrides flavor in determining what is offensive or unacceptable
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Disliking the idea of the food rather than the actual food itself
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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The role of certain foods in the diet
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Every culture has a ranking for its foods
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Major food categories include core foods, secondary foods, and occasional foods
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Core foods
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Provide a significant source of calories and are regularly included in the diet,
usually on a daily basis
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Core foods are typically complex carbohydrates
The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
The role of certain foods in the diet (cont’d)
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Secondary foods
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Foods widely consumed but not on a daily basis
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Vary with availability
Peripheral foods
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Eaten sporadically
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Typically based on an individual’s preferences, not cultural norms
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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How food is prepared
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Traditional methods of preparation vary between and within cultural groups
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Traditional seasonings also vary among cultures
Symbolic use of foods
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Each culture has food customs and bestows symbolism on certain foods
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Culture also determines which foods are used in celebration and which provide comfort
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
Symbolic use of foods (cont’d)
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To express love
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To reward or punish
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To display piety
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To express moral sentiments
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To demonstrate belongingness to a group
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To proclaim the separateness of a group
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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When and how food is eaten
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All cultures eat at least once a day
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Mealtimes vary according to culture
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In the United States, bad manners in eating may be associated with animal behavior
Cultural values
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Define desirable and undesirable personal and public behavior and social interaction
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Health beliefs
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Each culture has a unique point of view on life, health, and illness and the meaning of
each in society
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Some cultures define foods that create equilibrium within the body and soul
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Culture also shapes body image
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Dietary acculturation
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Occurs when eating patterns of people who move change to resemble those of the host
country
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In the U.S., acculturation is linked to increased risk of chronic disease and obesity
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Studies show that it increases the prevalence of unhealthy eating practices
Generally food habits are one of the last behaviors people change through acculturation
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Dietary acculturation (cont’d)
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Usually, first-generation Americans adhere more closely to cultural food patterns
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Second-generation Americans do not have the direct native connection and may follow
cultural patterns only on holidays and at family gatherings
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Children tend to adopt new ways quickly
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Dietary acculturation (cont’d)
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Interrelated changes in food choices that occur as part of acculturation:
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New foods are added to the diet
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Some traditional foods are replaced by new foods
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Some traditional foods are rejected
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Understanding acculturation
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Interventions to promote healthy food choices can be tailored to be culturally and
individually appropriate
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The art of asking the right questions, rather than making general assumptions, is key to
understanding the client’s level of acculturation
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Understanding acculturation (cont’d)
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Questions to ask:
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What native foods do you eat daily?
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What native foods do you no longer eat?
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What new foods do you eat?
 New immigrants may not know the names of American foods
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What foods do you eat to keep you healthy?
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The Impact of Culture (cont’d)
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Understanding acculturation (cont’d)
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Questions to ask (cont’d)
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What foods do you avoid to prevent illness?
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Do you balance some foods with other foods?
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Are there foods you will not eat? Is it because of personal preference, cultural
norms, or religious mandate?
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For hospitalized clients, ask if there are any special customs or religious
practices they want performed before or after a meal
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Question
Which occurs first in dietary acculturation?
a. Some traditional foods are rejected.
b. New foods are added to the diet.
c. The children in the family become
acculturated.
d. Some traditional foods are replaced by new foods.
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Answer
b. New foods are added to the diet.
Rationale: Interrelated changes in food choices that occur as part of acculturation include
adding new foods to the diet.
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States
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The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by the year 2060, less than 50% of the U.S. population will
be white
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The nutritional implication of this shift in cultural predominance is that cultural sensitivity will
become increasingly important to nursing care
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Cultural awareness facilitates nutrition care consistent with the individual’s needs, desires, and
lifestyle
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Actual food choices vary greatly within a subgroup based on national, regional, ethnic, and
individual differences
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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African Americans
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Majority of African Americans can trace their ancestry to West Africa
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Some have immigrated from the Caribbean, Central America, and East African
countries
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Much of their native heritage has been assimilated, lost, or modified
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
African Americans (cont’d)
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Traditional food practices
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“Soul food”
 Tend to be high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium
 Corn and corn products (grits, cornmeal) are the primary grain
 Meats are often breaded and fried
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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African Americans (cont’d)
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Traditional food practices
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“Soul food” (cont’d)
 Become a symbol of African American identity and African heritage
 Today African Americans’ food habits usually reflect their current
socioeconomic status, geographic location, and work schedule
 Soul food may be reserved for special occasions and holidays
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
African Americans (cont’d)
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Health beliefs
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Health beliefs and practices are a blend of traditional African concepts as well as
those encountered through early contact with both Native Americans and
whites
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Home remedies and natural therapies may be frequently used
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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African Americans (cont’d)
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Nutrition-related health problems
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African Americans score just slightly below the national population
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A greater proportion of African Americans are considered to have “poor” diets
when compared to the general population
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Mexican Americans
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Hispanics or Latinos are described as people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or
Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race
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Have become the largest ethnic minority in the U.S.
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Mexican Americans (cont’d)
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Traditional food practices
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Traditional Mexican diet is generally a low- fat, high-fiber diet rich in complex
carbohydrates and vegetable proteins
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Pork, goat, and poultry are the most used animal proteins
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Lactose intolerance is common
Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
Mexican Americans (cont’d)
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Health beliefs
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Traditional health beliefs are a blend of European folk medicine introduced from
Spain and Indian rituals
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Health is viewed as a gift from God
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Illness is inevitable
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Certain foods may be considered “cold” or “hot” for healing purposes
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Mexican Americans (cont’d)
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Nutrition-related health problems
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Mexican Americans have the highest Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores of all
ethnic groups
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Acculturation generally decreases the quality of the diet
 A high prevalence of overweight and obesity
 A high prevalence of type 2 diabetes
 Cavities and gingivitis are common
 High alcohol use
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
Chinese Americans
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“Asian Americans” encompass a diverse population originating from at least 25
countries
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2 dietary commonalities exist between these diverse cultures:
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Emphasis on rice and vegetables with relatively little meat
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Cooking techniques that include meticulous attention to preparing ingredients
before cooking
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Chinese Americans (cont’d)
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Traditional food practices
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Foundation of the traditional diet are grains: rice and wheat
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Most Chinese food is cooked
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Lactose intolerance is common
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Sodium intake is generally assumed to be high
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Chinese Americans (cont’d)
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Health beliefs
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Believe that health and illness are related to the balance between yin and yang
forces in the body
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Diseases caused by yin forces are treated with yang foods, and diseases caused
by yang forces are treated with yin foods
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The hot–cold theory of foods and illness also exists in Puerto Rico and Mexico
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Traditional Diets of Selected Cultural Subgroups in the United States (cont’d)
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Chinese Americans (cont’d)
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Nutrition-related health problems
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Asian American women have the highest life expectancy
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Prevalence of overweight and obesity are low
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Asians are 60% to 74% more likely to develop diabetes
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The leading cause of death among Asian Americans is cancer
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Question
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Which traditional diet is generally a low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in complex carbohydrates and
vegetable proteins?
a. American
b. African American
c. Mexican
d. Asian
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Answer
c. Mexican
Rationale: The traditional Mexican diet, influenced by Spanish and Native American cultures, is
generally a low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in complex carbohydrates and vegetable proteins, with an
emphasis on corn, corn products, beans, rice, and breads.
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Food and Religion
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Religion tends to have a greater impact on food habits than nationality or culture
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Religious food practices vary significantly
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Christianity
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3 primary branches of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox
Christianity, and Protestantism
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Dietary practices vary from none to explicit
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Roman Catholics
 Do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday or Fridays in Lent
 Avoid food and beverages 1 hour before communion
 Several fast days during the year
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Christianity (cont’d)
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Eastern Orthodox Christians
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Observe numerous feast and fast days throughout the year
Only denominations in the Protestant faith with dietary laws
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Mormons (Latter Day Saints)
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Seventh-Day Adventists
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Christianity (cont’d)
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Mormons
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Do not use coffee, tea, alcohol, or tobacco
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Limit meats; eat mostly grains
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Some fast 1 day per month
Most Seventh-Day Adventists
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Lacto-ovo vegetarians
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Overeating is avoided
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Coffee, tea, and alcohol are prohibited
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5 to 6 hours between meals without snacking
Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Judaism
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3 main Jewish denominations: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform
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Differ in their interpretation of the precepts of Judaism
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Orthodox Jews believe that the laws are the direct commandments of God so they
adhere strictly to dietary laws
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Reform Jews follow the moral law but may selectively follow other laws
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Conservative Jews fall between the other two groups in their beliefs and adherence to
the laws
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Judaism
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Orthodox Jews keep “kosher,” a word commonly used to identify Jewish dietary laws
that define:
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“Clean” foods
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“Unclean” foods
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How food animals must be slaughtered
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How foods must be prepared
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When foods may be consumed (e.g., the timing between eating milk products
and meat products)
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Islam
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Muslims eat as a matter of faith and for good health
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Health and food are considered acts of worship for which Allah must be thanked
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Halal: Islamic dietary laws
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Haram: foods that are prohibited
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Hinduism
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A number of health beliefs and dietary practices stem from the idea of living in harmony
with nature
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Ahimsa: nonviolence as applied to foods
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Another influential concept is that of purity
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Food and Religion (cont’d)
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Buddhism
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Life revolves around nature with its 2 opposing energy systems of yin and yang
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Illnesses may result from an imbalance of yin and yang
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Most Buddhists subscribe to the concept of ahimsa, so many are lacto-ovo vegetarians
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Dietary practices vary widely depending on the sect and country
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Question
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Why do Muslims eat?
a. To keep ahimsa
b. As a matter of faith
c. To live in harmony with nature
d. To keep kosher
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Answer
b. As a matter of faith
Rationale: Muslims eat as a matter of faith and for good health.