Globalization of Food Choices Negatively Impacting Sustainability of Traditional Food Systems: A Case of Uttarakhand Hills in North-western India

Abstract

The food we eat, being a primary source of both macro- and micronutrients, plays a huge role in our ability to keep our overall health and well-being in balance. It is also an essential component that links nutrition, agriculture, and ecology in the eco-nutrition framework. A better understanding of the relationships between food systems and human nutrition may offer opportunities for improving community health that are currently overlooked. The present communication presents the results of exploratory surveys on impact of globalization in contemporary food choices of Uttarakhand hills and potential role of native diversity in sustainable food and nutritional security on native communities with enabling policy support. A comparative assessment of rural-urban divide in terms of dietary choices and health have been discussed in view of advocating eco-nutrition model for a healthy human nutrition through biodiverse agriculture.