Food, Culture and Identity

Food is not solely a biological process. Different social gatherings and rituals during the production, transport, storage and consumption of food display the importance of culture in nutrition. This study aims to highlight food as a social symbol. In this regard, the significance of food in relation to social power is emphasized. The consumption of food according to social classes and social view in differentiation of consumption has been analyzed. In this study, the effects of food on the period of communication among the individuals of the society in regard to the socialization period have been taken into consideration and evaluated. In the scope of the study it has been focused on the differentiation in the process and supply of food and mentioned about the differentiation of nutrition because of varied society and cultural types. Another focus in the study is on the relationship between religion and nutrition. It has been highlighted that both in multi-deity and mono-deity religions food plays an important role in offering food to deities. It has also been put that the effects of food either forbidden to consume or given permission to eat by the religion play a role in the formation habit of nutrition within societies. Finally, it has been put that within the process of the production and consumption of food, cultural differences are a part of the identities of societies.