Skip to main content
Log in

Haute cuisine versus healthy nutrition: cultural gradients in Europe and the geography of baby food

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The article deals with the problem, how the geography of baby food in Europe may be explained by cultural patterns, differences in healthcare systems and standards of living. A survey, conducted in 12 European countries, revealed differences and similarities in gastronomic preferences and healthcare attitudes. National food markets and dietary targets reflect the pressure of internationalization on cultural traditions. Special attention is paid to the adaptation strategies of multinationals, operating in different cultural environments. The requirements to the qualities of baby food (the emphasis on being healthy or rather tasty, the choice of producers, etc.) reflect the whole variety of lifestyles in European countries, their economic opportunities, stability of cultural traditions, innovative potential.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beardsworth A. and Keil T., 1997: Sociology of the menu. An invitation to the study of food and society. Routledge, London and New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu P., 1979: La distinction: Paris, le Minuit. English translation: Distinction: a social critique of the judgement of taste. London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cépède M. and Lengelle M., 1961: Economie alimentaire du globe. Essai d'interprétation. Paris, Libraire de Medicis, Editions M-Th Génin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischler C., 1986: Learned versus 'spontaneous’ dietics: French mothers’ views on what children should eat. Soc. Sci. Inf. 25(4): 945–965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill J.M., Gracia A. and Pérez L, 1995: Food consumption and economic development in the European Union. Eur. Rev. Agri. Econ. 22: 385–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigg D., 1995: The pattern of world protein consumption. Geoforum 26: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigg D., 1998a: Spatial variations in the consumption of sweeteners. Tijdscrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie 89: 178–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigg D., 1998b: Convergence of European diets: the case of alcoholic beverages. GeoJournal 44(1): 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigg D., 1999: The fat of the land: a geography of oil and fat consumption. GeoJournal 48(4): 259–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grignon C., 1980: Alimentation et stratification sociale. Cahiers de nutrition et de diététique 16(4): 207–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grignon C., 1985: Nos habitudes alimentaires sont-elles en train de changer? L'Histoire 85: 128–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grignon C., 1986: Alimentation et régions. Cahiers de Nutrition et de Diététique 21: 381–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grignon C., 1989: Hierarchical cuisine or standard cooking? Food and Foodways 3(3): 177–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grignon C. and Grignon Ch., 1980: Styles d'alimentation et goûts populaires. Revue française de Sociologie 21(4): 531–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman R. and Röder C., 1995: Does food consumption converge internationally? Measurement, empirical tests and determinants. Eur. Rev. Agri. Econ. 22: 400–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lévy-Strauss C., 1966: The culinary triangle. New Society 166: 937–940.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lévy-Strauss C., 1978: The origin of table manners. Jonathan Cape, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mennell S., 1985: All manners of food. Eating and taste in England and France from the Middle Ages to the present. Basil Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mennel S., Murcott A. and van Otterloo A.H., 1992: The sociology of food: eating, diet and culture. Current Sociology 40, 2, SAGE Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minz S.W., 1996: Tasting food, tasting freedom. Excursions into eating, culture, and the past. Beacon Press, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murcott A., 1988: Sociological and social anthropological approaches to food and eating. World Rev. Nutrition Dietics 55: 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltre J. and Thouvenot C., 1989: Alimentation et régions. Presses Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitte J.-R., 1997: La France. Collection géographie d'aujourd'hui. Nathan, Paris.

  • Pitte J.-R., 1990: Le paysage et la vigne: essais de géographie. Payot, Paris.

  • Pitte J.-R., 1991: Gastronomie françoise: histoire et géographie d'une passion. Fayard, Paris.

  • Pynson P., 1989.: La France à table, 1960-1986. Belfond, Paris.

  • Semetko H., 1999: Dagen gevuld met afspraken. Een week uit het leven van een afdelingsvoorzitter. Res Academica. Nieuwsbrief over de veranderende organisatie van onderwijs en onderzoek bij de Universiteit van Amsterdam, Maart: 10–11.

  • Simoons F.J., 1990: Food in China: a cultural and historical inquiry. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winikoff B., Castle M.A. and Laukaran V.H. (eds), 1988: Feeding infants in four societies. Causes and consequences of mothers choices. Contributions in Family Studies 14, Greenwood Press, New York London.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gritsai, O. Haute cuisine versus healthy nutrition: cultural gradients in Europe and the geography of baby food. GeoJournal 53, 71–80 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015856130719

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015856130719

Navigation