Imagine if you went to see a doctor or a nutritionist and they told you, "Don't eat this food, don't eat that food." But what if those foods are the foods you've been eating since you were a child, the foods your mother and grandmother cooked, and the foods that are part of your culture? Then it's a little sad and hard to follow these instructions, isn't it? That's the very important topic we're talking about today. Let's understand this deep connection between what we eat and our culture.
Why is culture so important to nutrition?
Simply put, we eat more than just to get nutrients into our bodies. Food is a big part of our lives. It is deeply connected to our culture, our heritage, and our family relationships.
Just think... Is there a New Year without milk rice and delicious cookies? Christmas is impossible without a Christmas cake. Vatalappan and Biryani are very special dishes during Ramadan. Dosa, Sambar, and Idli are a part of everyday life for someone in Jaffna. There is a story, a feeling, and a tradition behind each of these dishes.
According to dietitians, a person chooses a food first based on taste . Then they look at price and availability . Nutrition is often thought of last on this list. So, our taste is formed with the foods we have been eating since childhood, with the foods that are native to our culture. Therefore, we cannot forget this cultural connection and talk only about nutrition.
What happens if there is no diversity in nutritional counseling?
This is the real problem. Imagine if all the nutritional advice given in our country, the books written, and the programs on television were created by people from the same cultural background. What would happen then? They are more likely to label foods they know and are used to as 'healthy', and foods from other cultures, which they are not so familiar with, as 'unhealthy'. This is called 'unconscious bias'.
When these 'blind spots' arise, some valuable, nutritious local foods are ignored. This not only hurts the feelings of people belonging to those cultures, but also distances them from health advice.
For example, perhaps when things like oats and quinoa are highlighted as Western-style 'healthy' foods, superfoods like kurakkan, millet, green lentil porridge, pollock, and halmasso that are native to our country may lose their place.
| What is often called 'healthy' | The value of our cultural foods |
|---|---|
| Processed cereals, salads, imported fruits. | Kurakkan, green porridge, green beans, chickpeas, local vegetables (gotu kola, mukunuwenna), local potatoes (sweet potato, cassava). These too have high nutritional value. |
| Completely rejecting foods high in oil, sugar, and salt as 'unhealthy'. | For example, rather than labeling coconut milk rice or coconut sambol made with coconut oil as 'unhealthy', it is important to provide advice on how to eat it in moderation and correctly . |
What is the value of this from a patient's perspective?
This is very important. Studies have even found that patients are more likely to adhere to treatment instructions and have better health outcomes when they receive treatment from a doctor or counselor who understands their cultural background.
Imagine a person with diabetes visiting a nutritionist. If the consultant doesn't know the person's religious beliefs or special foods they eat during holidays, the advice they give may not be practical. But when you talk to someone who understands your background, they can give you practical advice, such as, "Okay, let's control your diet during Ramadan like this," or "It's okay to have a piece of cake at Christmas, but let's control it like this."
It is a great relief for a patient to receive advice from someone who understands them, without having to explain their culture all over again. The relationship built on that trust is a great help in the success of treatment.
What can we do to increase diversity in this field?
This is something that applies to our country as well. We can all contribute to this.
- As consumers, we: When giving you health advice, don't be afraid to talk about your traditional foods. Ask questions like, "Doctor, is it okay for me to eat sourdough bread? How can I make it healthy?" Ask for advice that respects your cultural eating habits. The health industry is motivated to provide what you ask for.
- Education: It is important for universities and other educational institutions to teach about the food cultures of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka when teaching nutrition. Instead of teaching that only one type of diet is 'correct', they should teach about the benefits of different diets and how to maintain them in a healthy way.
- Encouraging professionals: It is necessary to encourage young people from different parts of our country and from different cultural backgrounds to pursue careers like dietetics. Only then will we be able to provide a service that is suitable for the people of the entire country.
Take-Home Message
- Food is not just about nutrients, it is part of our culture, happiness, and family.
- Before you suddenly label your traditional foods as 'unhealthy,' talk to your doctor about how to prepare them healthily.
- It is easier to follow advice from a health professional who understands your culture and lifestyle, and you can achieve better health outcomes.
- If you feel like your diet is being ignored, speak up. You have the right to ask for nutritional advice that is appropriate for you and respectful of your culture.
- Being healthy doesn't mean giving up every food you love. It's about enjoying it in balance and moderation .
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