Anthropology 310/ February 12, 2014/ 6:00 PM

Food Classifications and the Diets of Young Children in Rural Egypt Soheir Sukkary­Stolba

THEME:
Mothers in rural Egypt feed their toddlers “light foods” and withhold “heavy foods.”
They believe that heavy foods such as protein and fiber will cause the toddlers stomach to rot because of this belief there is a high mortality and mobility rates in the rural Egypt. I.
Introduction
A. The study of food classification has served us a helping hand in understanding how people view foods and how they consume them .
B. Rural Egypt has a different view on food classification and nutrition values.
Mothers would withhold some necessary foods for the child’s growth believing that it is not good for the child.
C. One of the main point that was made in this study shows that personal preference although they tend to be shared among certain communities.
D. Mothers would not give toddlers heavy foods such as protein, lipids, and fried foods believing that it will cause toddlers stomach to rot and the toddler would die. E. Toddlers are not viewed as a fast growing organism therefore when given wrong foods 125 out of 1000 toddlers between 9­14 month die from gastrointestinitis.
II.
How do Egyptians Classify foods?
A. Though “Light” foods are easy to digest, they don't sit on heart and cause gas while “heavy” foods taste good but are bad for your intestines.
B. foods that might be classified as “heavy” by one individual might be seen as
“light” by another.
C. Women begin with breastfeeding and “light” foods and end with the introduction of adult “heavy” foods between the ages of 15 and 24 months.
D. A process called Talhiss involves a mother dipping her finger in “heavy” foods, and allowing the infant to taste or lick the finger.
III.
What are the Classification Principles of Toddlers’ Food?
A. Womens choice of food indicate that certain cultural discriminatory principles are used to categorize food items.

B. According to the women, food items “express their likes and dislikes of individuals by causing health or sickness to the individuals eating the food.”
C. There are two eating methods
. Akl bil Baraka which meant eating with God’s blessing and
Akl bil Hissab which meant eating while counting or weighing.
D. The most common cooking method in rural Egypt is known as “
Taxdi’a
” cooking veggies in butter fat, garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
E. Liquid and sugary drinks are give to infants and toddlers for the need for “glucose for growth.
IV.
How did people learn about food classifications in rural Egypt?
A. Older females are the most