| Food is one of the basic necessities
for the survival of human beings. Diets and dietary regimes of the people
of Garhwal are influenced by the following.
a) Food and nutritional requirements;
Food preparations
b) Environmental and climatic
conditions (including altitude)
c) Composition and availability
of food.
The following dietary regimes have
been recognised in the Garhwal hills:
Higher Himalaya
People living in the higher or main
Himalayan ranges belong to this
dietary regime. Their diet is meat
based. For preserving the meat
for the winter season, it is cut
into small pieces and left to dry in the
sun. Wine is also consumed by these
people in large quantities. They eat coarse grains like barley and mandua.
The richer people are able to purchase
wheat, rice and pulses.
Middle Himalaya
People living in the middle Himalayan
ranges of Garhwal belong to
this dietary regime. Their diet
is both meat and vegetable based.
The people eat coarse grains like
barley, mandua and jhangora. In the
recent past, more and more people
of this tract have taken to cereals
like wheat, rice and pulses.
Lower Hills
People living in the lower hill,
dun valleys and Siwaliks of Garhwal belong to this dietary regime. They
are both non-vegetarian and vegetarian. The main cereals eaten by the people
of this tract are
wheat, rice and pulses, which are
cultivated on a large scale.
Dietary Routine
The dietary routine of the people
of Garhwal has minor variations
with altitude and nature of work
performed during the day. There
are 3 or 4 meals in a day.
These are:
1. Light food and Tea in the
early morning hours at about 7 or 8 a.m.
2. Heavy meal at about 10
a.m. which serves as the mid-day meal. This is eaten before the people
leave for work in the fields.
3. Light early evening food
taken with tea at about 5 p.m. on return from work.
4. Dinner taken at about 8 to 9
p.m. before going to sleep.
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