American Food Habits in Historical Perspective

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Description

Using dietary information and other pertinent facts, the author assesses the nutritional status of Americans during each historical period. Special emphasis is given to American dietary patterns from the landfall of Columbus to the colonial period, the revolutionary period, the New Republic, and the 20th century. Four categories of American food are identified and analyzed: mainstream cuisine, regional cooking, regional phenomena (including ethnic foods), and Pop foods. The overview concludes with the finding that, despite delightful differences, there are striking similarities in food habits across time and cultures. By providing increased insights and understanding of contemporary American eating patterns, this book will be a substantive addition to existing texts.

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McIntosh discusses food in North America from prehistory through the present in this well-organized book. Although clearly geared to undergraduate students, it will be useful to many; the chapters on understanding food habits and foods and religion are good overviews. Using food as a unifying theme might increase interest in history for those who find it to be only dates. A clearly written overview. * Choice *

Author Bio

Elaine N. McIntosh, PhD, RD, is Professor Emerita of Human Biology at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. She is the coauthor with Elizabeth Green of On Your Own in the Kitchen (1985), a cooking guide for nonreaders based on sound nutritional principles. She has contributed chapters to internationally published books and government publications in addition to numerous articles in reputable scientific journals of all kinds since 1954. She has been a long-time nutritional and health writer for Newmonth.