| FOOD
STYLE |
CHARACTERISTIC FOODS |
NUTRITIONAL ADVANTAGES |
NUTRITIONAL DISADVANTAGES |
 |
| Arctic
(e.g. Scandinavian, Eskimo, Canadian Indian) |
Fish, berries |
Vitamins A and D
Vitamin C
Essential polyunsaturated
fat (see saturated
and polyunsaturated fat Chart 9)
|
Preservation techniques of
salting and smoking may increase risk of conditions such as
high blood pressure and cancer of the gut. |
| Mediterranean
(e.g. Greek, Italian, Spanish, Yugoslavian) |
Bread, olive oil, wine, vegetables |
Dietary pattern protective
against coronary heart disease and cancer of the large bowel |
Overweight |
| Oriental
(e.g. Chinese, Japanese) |
Rice, soya sauce, monosodium
glutamate (MSG), vegetables |
Low fat, high carbohydrate
-
protective against coronary
heart disease
|
Sometimes high in sodium (from
MSG) increasing prevalence of high blood pressure |
Hunter-gatherer
(e.g. Aboriginal Australians and Malaysians, African bushmen) |
Roots, berries, nuts, leafy
plants, fruit, fish |
A wide variety of foods with
good prospects of obtaining adequate amounts of all essential
nutrients and not too much of any hazardous contaminants. |
. |
| Multicultural
(as in societies to which successive large migrations have
occurred) |
A wide range of food styles |
A wide variety of foods |
. |
| Vegetarian |
1: Cereals, vegetables, fruits
(Vegan diet)
2: Eggs, milk and dairy products
(1+2 = Lacto-ovo vegetarian)
|
Low fat, high carbohydrate,
high dietary fibre - protective against coronary heart disease
and large bowel cancer |
May be low in some amino acids
if complementary sources of protein (e.g. cereals and legumes)
are not eaten |
| Zen
macrobiotic |
From 10 to 100% cereal content
of diet, depending on level of adherence |
At lowest level of cereal intake
advantages of vegetarianism |
At higher levels of cereal
intake, risk of nutrient deficiency through lack of variety |
| Organically
grown foods |
Foods grown without agricultural
chemicals |
Possibly less pesticide residues |
Inflated food prices |
| High
fat, low carbohydrate
(e.g. Dr Atkins' diet)
|
Dairy products, fats and oils,
ruminant (beef and lamb) meats |
. |
High blood fats and increased
risk of coronary heart disease
Nutrient deficiency
Low-dietary-fibre content
leading to increased risk of disorders such as constipation
and haemorrhoids
Ketosis, with more acid blood
|
| Dependence
on ready to-eat or institutionalized food sources |
Fried foods, sweetened beverages,
dairy products |
. |
Nutrient losses with re-heating
and prolonged standing
Often high in fat and sodium
and low in dietary fibre
|
| No
breakfast |
. |
. |
Mid
to late morning hunger with recourse to less critical food
selection of, for example, salty energy-dense snacks, sweetened
beverages
Fatigue or distraction due
to hunger
Delayed bowel movement
|
| Snacking |
Often readily accessible foods |
May avoid 'binge' eating due
to hunger
In those with poor appetites,
or those who need to eat often (e.g. diabetics), an adequate
nutrient intake may be achieved provided the snacks are
nutrient dense.
|
More dental caries
Tendency to overeat if snacks
are energy dense
Losing track of dietary intake
|
| Confectionery |
Sweets, chocolates |
. |
Dental caries
Excessive energy intake, leading
to overweight
|
