What is Gastronationalism in Terms of Basic  Nutritional Habits  ?

 

One of the most used words on food and beverage culture today is gastronationalism among the  new food trends of 2022  . Although it has come to the fore in gastrodiplomacy used between states, it has become a new concept and food culture preferred between societies in international gastronomy.  

 

If people who go to another country for any reason of travel want to find something of their own abroad, the food culture we call gastronationalism is the most indispensable one. International culinary cultures generally have the habit of eating 3 meals a day. Gastronationalism, which is a search for basic eating habits, is actually beyond a diet.

 

However, we can also consider it as a habit, selectivity or diet. (in terms of basic nutrition). When we consider the societies living in the world in this regard, their diets include various food products, although their diets are different. 

 

If I Need To Give Some Examples Of These 

  

* Geographical Products,

* Kitchen Features,

* Product variety,

* Seasonal Features,

* Economic Conditions,

* Food culture,

* Rituals,

* Religious Beliefs…

 

There may be some of these features. Again, if I need to open up some details as an example, you cannot make a person who lived and nurtured in the same region until the age of 30 or 40 suddenly love the diet of a geography 2000 km away. At the same time, you cannot expect him to immediately adopt a second food culture. You have to present that person's own food culture. 

 

Food is an identity that reflects a culture. The main headings of this identity are the differences in the diets found in the geography. The person I gave an example above needs his own food culture and the tastes of his geography in order to be able to eat healthy  . This is a necessity beyond adoption.

 

It is one of the concepts of gastronationalism, with a sense of belonging and options to choose one's own. However, as the whole concept of gastronationalism has much greater meaning, it should be evaluated separately under many headings.

 

If I were to give some negative examples for those living outside their own country and geography:

 

* You Can't Feed Veal To A Hindu,

* You Cannot Feed Non-Kosher Food to a Jew,

* You Can't Feed Meat And Meat Products To A Vegan,

* You can't feed a pig to a Muslim,

 

When we look at similar issues from this perspective, it is obvious that the concept of gastronationalism is a matter of preference, although it is not an obligation.

 

Gastronationalism may vary in nearby geographies with some similarities or preference or instinct of liking. For example, a person who has been fed with burgers, pizza and Italian pasta all his  life may become a life-long regular by liking the Anatolian cuisine, the döner kebab or the kayseri mantı of the Turkish cuisine .

 

Chief Chef Ahmet ÖZDEMİR

Ottoman and Turkish Cuisine World Envoy

International Gastronomy and Culinary Consultant

 

Important note: 

"What is Gastronationalism & Culinary Nationalism?" You can read the full article in the original text below...