Nutritional Composition of Traditional Supplementary Foods Consumed by Gujarathi Lactating Mothers

Food consumption is influenced by many factors such as socio economic status, culture, religion, education, ignorance, food beliefs and habits. Food habits vary from one cultural group to another, because each group in its own evolution, sets up a complex pattern of standardized behaviours. Food habits and food beliefs are among the oldest and most entrenched aspects of any culture. Food prejudices and false beliefs are known to impediment in the way of adequate nutrition and thus noxious especially for the well being of the vulnerable groups. False beliefs with respect to foods also restrict the mother's diet.