Provides information on food practices for 15 cultures. Each chapter focuses on a particular culture, including such factors as diabetes risk factors; traditional foods, dishes and meal plans; special holiday foods; traditional health beliefs; current food practices, and more. Culturally appropriate counselling recommendations are also discussed.

Due to its centrality in human activities, food is a meaningful object that necessarily participates in any cultural, social and ideological construction and its qualification as 'traditional' is a politically laden value. This book demonstrates that traditionality as attributed to foods goes beyond the notions of heritage and authenticity under which it is commonly formulated. Through a series of case studies from a global range of cultural and geographical areas, the book explores a variety of contexts to reveal the complexity behind the attribution of the term 'traditional' to food. In particular, the volume demonstrates that the definitions put forward by programmes such as TRUEFOOD and EuroFIR (and subsequently adopted by organisations including FAO), which have analysed the perception of traditional foods by individuals, do not adequately reflect this complexity. The concept of tradition being deeply ingrained culturally, socially, politically and ideologically, traditional foods resist any single definition. Chapters analyse the processes of valorisation, instrumentalisation and reinvention at stake in the construction and representation of a food as traditional. Overall the book offers fresh perspectives on topics including definition and regulation, nationalism and identity, and health and nutrition, and will be of interest to students and researchers of many disciplines including anthropology, sociology, politics and cultural studies.

Specifically designed for health visitors, general practitioners, nurses, dietitians and nutritionists, this is the first book to clarify the suggested balance of different foods and food groups needed to provide a healthy diet in infants. It interprets government recommendations and current research to give health professionals completely up-to-date, highly detailed advice in a practical, easy-to-read format. Tables and figures are widely used to illustrate complex concepts and aid understanding. It is ideal as a daily reference. Healthcare policy makers and shapers will also find much of interest to assist in the provision of new guidance.

Explaining the practical implications of new discoveries in 'life-course biology', Nutrition and Lifestyle for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is an informed resource on factors that affect offspring development. The impact of parental lifestyle and behavioural choices influence not only fetal development and birth outcomes, but also postnatal development, yet guidance on appropriate diet, behaviour, and exposures during pregnancy is often confusing and contradictory. With accessible explanations of the latest scientific research, and clear summaries and recommendations, this book is a valuable and authoritative guide for all levels of health care providers. The authors provide an overview of the background evidence, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices prior to and during pregnancy. In-depth discussions of nutritional and lifestyle factors that impact on pregnancy and offspring outcomes are based on the latest research and exploration of key scientific studies. Nutrition and Lifestyle for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is a manual offering both scientific and clinical evidence to empower health care providers and ensure they have the information necessary to confidently care for prospective and new parents.

From the founders of Baby-Led Weaning: This is the authoritative guide to starting solid foods at your child’s pace—as they start the transition away from breastmilk or formula as early as 6 months—with no stress, no fuss, and no mush! Ten years ago, Baby-Led Weaning ended the myth that babies need to be spoon-fed purées. In fact, at about six months, most babies are ready to discover solid food for themselves. Today, baby-led weaning (BLW) is a global phenomenon—and this tenth anniversary edition of the definitive guide explains all its benefits: Baby participates in family meals right from the start, and learns to love a variety of foods. Nutritious milk feedings continue while Baby transitions to solids at his or her own pace. By self-feeding, Baby develops hand-eye coordination, chewing skills—and confidence! Plus, this edition is updated with the latest research on allergy prevention and feeding Baby safely, a guide to using BLW at daycare, and much more. Here is everything you need to know about teaching your child healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Abstract: Children in tropical and subtropical, technically underdeveloped areas of the world suffer from malnutrition as a result of poverty, unavailability of suitable food, lack of knowledge and superstition. Education and assistance is needed as part of the general attempt to raise the standard of living with a resultant tendency to limitation of family size and drop in the birth-rate. The nutritional level of the community and its young children is positively related to the educational and economic level of the community, to the availablity of sufficient food of the right quality and to the adequacy and accessibility of the health services. The problems of infant nutrition are dealt with from the point of view of the health worker in the field. The viewpoint is that an understanding of methods and approaches to food problems by active, community committees is often the prime nutritional need in developing countries.