Food

from the elders. The custom is called asatu and symbolized the desire of the youth to experience the long and good life the elders have experienced. When all the meat and sorpa ( soup with large fat content) have been eaten and drank, the most respected guest thanks the hostess on behalf of all the guests and blesses the hosts of that house.

In our days the main features of this old ritual and table etiquette exist, are carefully kept, followed and passes to their traditions.

Food is Symbolic.16

Throughout history, food has been used as a symbol of wealth or gratitude, or to demonstrate position and power. In some cultures, eating lavish and exotic meals is a sign of wealth and power, whereas eating only the basic foods is a of sign belonging to a more common class. In some cultures, the offer of a glass of cool, clean water is the greatest compliment or honor one can receive. In some cultures, whenever you receive s guest, whether for business or pleasure, you must offer them something to eat or drink: the more lavish the offering signifies the amount of respect or honor you give that person. Diet is not a consideration.

For centuries, food has been a key element in religious rituals. Food was used as offering to the gods and their high priests and priestesses. Food has been considered a form of tithing to a church or religious sect. Certain foods such as lamp, bread, and bitter herbs are religious symbols in some ceremonies.

The sharing of food demonstrates acceptance, friendship, family, and love. To be invited to “break bread” with a family, in many cultures shows respect and is a sign of friendship and acceptance. Literature is full of examples of lovers using food to show their devotion and respect foe each other: one of the most famous being the line from the Rubaiyal of Omar Khayyam, “ A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread – and Thou…” in the West, chocolate and sweets have long been a symbolic exchange of affection between lovers. So, why do we eat the things we do? First, let’s established that not everything we like to meat is all that good for us, unfortunately. For example, there is much debate over the value of chocolate – yes, it does have some redeeming qualities aside from just tasting wonderful.

Food as a Fad or Cult.17

Food has often found a niche for itself in popular culture. Eating or entertaining with certain foods has often been a fad or cult. Whichever group you associate with or aspire to be like will dictate which fad you follow. For example, in the late “70s and 80s in the U.S., salads were the “in” food for the yuppie crowd (the young, upwardly-mobile group). Salad bars (restaurants where salad is the primary food) sprang up everywhere. There were so many types of salads, garnishes, and salad dressings that were invented, it was impossible to keep up with them all.Of course many people ate salads because they were on diets. Thin was “in” and so everyone who was “in” or aspiring to be “in” wanted to lose weight. Actually, throughout most of the ’80s and 90s there has been an obsession with dieting. Now, however, dieting is not a politically correct word. There are so many schemes and foods out in the stores for people to use lose weight; there are even substances that promise if you take them you can eat all you want and still lose weight.

Aside form diets and salads, there are the foods that people eat because their favorite athlete, musician, or actor eats that brand or kind for food. The cultural icons over the last several years have been exploited to promote the sale of different foods or food substitutes. Whatever Michael Jordan, Mel Gibson, or Oprah Winfrey drink and eat, the ardent fans, wannabes and admirers worldwide try to eat and drink. People don’t always pay attention to how truly nutritious something is; if the in-crowed or the cultural icon they aspire to be like eat it, they will get it. Pop culture is a powerful force.

Food is the Staff of life.18

Regardless of how you view food, you need it to live. You need the right kinds of food in the right amounts to have a healthy life. Your needs for different kinds of food change as grow and mature. Everyone needs the three key nutrients that provide the body with energy and the necessary building blocks: carbohydrates (sugar and starch), fat, and protein. Unfortunately, in our world today, not every one has access to all of these all the time. World hanger is a global problem that needs to be addressed by all nations.

The right type and kind of foods the body needs to grow, develop, and stay healthy are not known by everyone. A good, daily, balanced diet is key to a healthy life. Do you have a balanced diet? Do you know what you eat every

day? Why do you think you eat the foods you eat? Eating the right food everyday not only nourishes our bodies, but it also nourishes our spirits, our creativity and thinking, and our language and interaction with other people.

What Counts as a serving?19

The amount of food that counts as a serving is listed. If you eat a large portion, count it as more than one serving. For example, Ѕ cup of cooked pasta counts as one serving in the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group. If you eat 1 cup of pasta that would be 2 servings. If you eat less than Ѕ cup, count it as part of a serving.

For mixed foods, do the best you can to decide the food groups and to estimate the servings of the main ingredients. Pizza would count in the Bread Group (crust), the Milk Group (cheese), and the Vegetable Group (tomato). Beef stew would count in the Meat Group and Vegetable Group.

Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group Bread Hamburger roll, bagel, English muffin Tortilla Rice, pasta, cooked Pain crackers, small Breakfast cereal Pancakes, 4-in diameter Croissant Doughnut Danish Cake, Frosted Cookies Pie, fruit, 2-crust Vegetable Group Vegetables, cooked Vegetables, leafy, raw Vegetables, nonleafy raw, chopped Potatoes, scalloped Potato salad French fries Fruit Group Whole fruit: apple, orange. Banana Fruit, raw or canned Fruit juice, unsweetened Avocado Milk, yogurt, and cheese Group Skim milk Lowfat milk 2 % Whole milk Chocolate milk, 2 % Lowfat yogurt, plain Lowfat yogurt, fruit 1 slice 1 1 Ѕ cup 3-4 1oz 2 1 large(2oz) 1medium (2oz) 1medium (2oz) 1 average slice 2 medium 1 average slice 2 medium Ѕ cup 1cup Ѕ cup Ѕ cup Ѕ cup 10 1 medium Ѕ cup ѕ cup ј whole 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 8 oz 8oz 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Natural cheddar cheese Processed cheese Mozzarella, part skim Ricotta, part skim Cottage cheese, 4 % fat Ice cream Ice milk Frozen yogurt Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group Lean meat, poultry, fish, cooked Ground beef, cooked Chicken, with skin Bologna Dry beans and peas, cooked Peanut butter Nuts Fats, oils, and Sweets Butter, margarine Mayonnaise Salad dressing Reduced calorie salad dressing Sour cream Sugar, jam, jelly Cola Fruit drink, ade Chocolate bar Sherbet Fruit sorbet Gelatin dessert 1 Ѕ oz 2 oz 1 Ѕ oz Ѕ cup Ѕ cup Ѕ cup Ѕ cup Ѕ cup 3 oz 3 oz 3 oz 2 slices (1 oz) 1 (1 oz) 2 Tbsp (1 oz) 1/3 cup (1 oz) 1 tsp 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 2 Tbsp 1 tsp 12 fl oz 12 fl oz 1 tsp Ѕ cup 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 1 1 ј 1/3 1/3 Ѕ 1 1 1 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1