In
different communities different food taboos exist. Some customs and taboos have
known origins, and many are logical, although the original reasons may no
longer be known. Many taboos concern the consumption of protein-rich animal
foods, often by those groups of the community most in need of protein. A common
taboo in Africa against the consumption of eggs is rapidly disappearing. This
taboo usually applies to females, who are said to become sterile if they eat
eggs. In other places the custom applies to children, perhaps to discourage
them from stealing the eggs of setting hens, which would endanger the survival
of poultry. Other customs, again often affecting women and children, concern
fish. These customs may amount to a full taboo, although people not used to
fish often dislike it merely because they find its smell distasteful or its
appearance “snake-like”. Many cultures have strong views about the
consumption of milk or milk products.
different communities different food taboos exist. Some customs and taboos have
known origins, and many are logical, although the original reasons may no
longer be known. Many taboos concern the consumption of protein-rich animal
foods, often by those groups of the community most in need of protein. A common
taboo in Africa against the consumption of eggs is rapidly disappearing. This
taboo usually applies to females, who are said to become sterile if they eat
eggs. In other places the custom applies to children, perhaps to discourage
them from stealing the eggs of setting hens, which would endanger the survival
of poultry. Other customs, again often affecting women and children, concern
fish. These customs may amount to a full taboo, although people not used to
fish often dislike it merely because they find its smell distasteful or its
appearance “snake-like”. Many cultures have strong views about the
consumption of milk or milk products.
The
customs that prohibit consumption of certain nutritionally valuable foods may
not have an important overall nutritional impact, particularly if only one or
two food items are affected. Some societies, however, forbid such a wide range
of foods to women during pregnancy that it is difficult for them to obtain a
balanced diet.
customs that prohibit consumption of certain nutritionally valuable foods may
not have an important overall nutritional impact, particularly if only one or
two food items are affected. Some societies, however, forbid such a wide range
of foods to women during pregnancy that it is difficult for them to obtain a
balanced diet.
