Essay on Culture: Allergy and Food Choices

Submitted By Lesley-Smith
Words: 725
Pages: 3

How culture religion and health conditions can impact on food choices
Cultures
There are many Different cultures that affect and impact children’s and young people’s food choices as different cultures may encourage or frown upon consumption of different foods by individuals who belong to groups. Also the consumption of different foods at different stages of life may be actively encouraged or discouraged. This is due to the benefits and dangers of consuming these foods at certain times of life and in certain conditions. For example most cultures will not approve of the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy or lactation. This is due to the adverse effects produced by this drink. Foods and nutrition may also be affected by culture, with respect to different beliefs within the culture. For example, African-Americans and many Southerners are at greater risk for ailments such as heart disease and diabetes, but Southern-style fried foods, biscuits and ham hocks might not be the only culprits. Income levels, limited access to healthier foods and exercise habits might play a role as well. Menus stressing lower-fat foods and lots of vegetables, such as those of many Asian cultures, can result in more healthful diets, even reducing the risks for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. In China, the northern provinces tend toward a diet containing contains spicier foods, more meat products, and more wheat, than in the southern provinces, where a milder diet is consumed with more rice, greens and other vegetables, special fruits, and generally less meat. Also, within each nation, the diet of poorer people is usually healthier than that of the middle or wealthier classes.
Religions
There are many different Religions that affect and impact children’s and young people’s food choices because religion plays one of the most influential roles in the choices and subsequent selection of foods consumed in certain societies. Some religion prohibits the eating of some foods either completely or partially and also regulates how certain foods can be prepared. For example Muslims are prohibited from eating pork or pig products as it is considered unclean Hindis do not eat beef and some religions prohibit the eating of any meat so that they do not kill or shed blood of any animal. Some of these religious diets can have serious consequences on the nutritional intake and the health of the people that follow it. There are also religions that follow the fasting period where they go without any solid food or any fluid intake. Distinct religions have different beliefs about diets For instance many Buddhists are vegetarians, though some include fish in their diet, Hindus do not consume any food they believe might slow down spiritual or physical growth such as pork and beef but they do not