Why food?

So you may be wondering, why food? What can food really tell us about a place? A lot. Examining a countries food preferences can give us insight into not only the cultural customs of the people but also to the environment, climate and agricultural practices of that region.

Let's take a look at what food and agricultural practices can tell us about India. 

Culture of Food Preferences 

Taboo: A taboo is " a restriction on behavior imposed by social custom" (Rubenstein, 88). Religion dictates many food taboos. For example, for those who practice Hinduism, "eating cows is prohibited, as it is thought of as God's useful gift to mankind since it provides dairy products and is the basis for other products". Here is an article that shares some basic information about food taboos around the world. 

                              

Diet 

Diet is determined by a combination of the following: level of development, physical conditions, and cultural preferences. 

• Level of development:  "People in developed countries tend to consume more food and from different sources than do people in developing countries" (Rubenstein, 223).  India is a developing country. 
• Physical Conditions:  "Climate is important in influencing what can be most easily grown and therefore consumed in developing countries" (223).  Below is a climatic zone map of India. India has great diversity in climate, ranging from montane (mountainous), to tropical, to arid.                                                                                             

• Cultural Preferences: "Some food preferences and avoidances are expressed without regard for physical and economic factors" (223).  (e.g. the food taboo discussed above) 

Food and Nutrition in India: Interpretations and Facts 

This article, published by Princeton, provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of food and nutrition in India over the last 25 years. The publication includes several excellent maps, graphs and charts that provide information about: rural calorie consumption, calories from cereals, percentage of households reporting lack of food etc. This is a really wonderful resource, please take a look! 

Resources:

Deaton, A. & Dreze, J. (2009). Food and nutrition in India: facts and interpretations.  Economic and Political Weekly, vol 44, (no 7). Retrieved from https://www.princeton.edu/~deaton/downloads/Food_and_Nutrition_in_India_Facts_and_Interpretations.pdf 

Rubenstein, J. M. (2010). Contemporary human geography. Prentice Hall: Glenview, IL.