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26 1.3 Social and Cultural Influences on Food Choices

Migrant groups in the UK come from many On migrating to the UK, geographical groups tend
different geographical areas. In the 2001 UK census to preserve their eating traditions (Table 1.3.1).
the ethnic population was about 8 per cent of the This is seen particularly where larger groups have
general population or 4.6 million (Figure 1.3.1). settled together and have a good source of
traditional food through markets and local
25 retailers. However, not all new migrants have
access to their culturally acceptable foods – for
Black-Caribbean example asylum seekers may be housed in areas
where their traditional foods are unobtainable.
20 Black-African
Black-Other Western influences also affect traditional eating
patterns of migrant groups to a considerable extent.
(non-mixed) Younger generations born in the UK generally
move away from traditional dietary practices of
Black-Mixed their migrant parents and adopt the traditions of
15 Indian their friends and peers.

Pakistani Activity 1

Bangladeshi Visit a shop specializing in foods of one of the
geographical regions below and make a list of 20
10 Chinese unfamiliar foods and then find out how they are used
Other-Asian in the preparation of dishes for that ethnic group.
(non-mixed)

Other-Other
5 (non-mixed)

Other-Mixed

0

Figure 1.3.1 Distribution of total minority ethnic
population by ethnic group in Great Britain in
2000. Data from www.statistics.gov.uk

Table 1.3.1 Common traditional foods eaten by groups from different geographical regions that have
migrated to the UK

Migration to the UK from Traditional foods eaten
Caribbean Islands
Rice, sweet potatoes, yams, green bananas, plantain, dasheen, okra, cornmeal
and coconut cream
Beverages based on condensed milk with added sugar or honey
Milk-based energy or malt drinks such as Nutriment, Nourishment, Supermalt,
Mighty Malt

South Asia Chapattis, parathas, puris, bhaura and naan are all types of bread made from
wheat flour
Spices
Yogurt
Fried snacks – samosas and pakoras

East Africa Maize, millet, sorghum, matoke/cooking banana, cassava, sweet potato, yam

West Africa mainly Nigeria Cassava, green bananas, yam, plantain, ground rice, cornmeal, gari and kenkey
and Ghana Akra or black-eyed beans
Ground nuts and seeds are often part of the meal
Spices
Tropical fruits

China Balance of yin (coldness) and yang (hotness) is usually observed in meals
Black beans
Soy products such as tofu and soya milk
Green leafy vegetables
Cereals vary:
in the north: wheat-based foods such as dumplings and noodles
in the south: rice and foods made from rice flour such as noodles, cakes, vinegar