The Eatwell Guide and culturally appropriate food
In the 2011 census 40.7% of residents in Manchester identified as ‘non-white’. In the 2022 census, this increased to 51.3%. Manchester is one of the most diverse cities in the UK. A platitude at this point, but food and culture are intertwined. There is often the focus of a ‘Western’ diet to inform food policy in the UK. The Eat Well Guide, the government-recommended diet is a key example of this.
A narrow understanding of diet and eating habits creates policies and projects with a narrow set of health outcomes. Moreover, the lack of representation creates an issue of othering of cultures – the representation of a diversity of cultures and foods are important for many reasons.
One consideration are the health implications at a population scale. For example, the South Asian population are at a higher risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes compared to other ethnic groups. Black African and Caribbean populations are at a higher risk of experiencing hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Further information is required to understand why this is the case, but adjustments to lifestyle, including food are most likely going to help.
Individuals and organisations have developed culturally appropriate Eat Well guides for various ethnicities. These allow healthcare professionals working in diverse communities to produce culturally sensitive recommendations including culturally appropriate foods. I have included some of the adapted Eat Well guides. Of course, these guides are only the start of understanding diverse cultures and ways of eating. The Diverse Nutrition Association is a great example of an organisation that recognises the importance of meeting the needs of culturally diverse groups in the context of diet and nutrition. The organisation advocates for cultural sensitivity and knowledge to be integrated into all aspects of health research and community health.
