By exploring daily food selection criteria and what is considered healthy in rural, urban, and peri-urban Mongolia, I will discuss how anthropological perspectives could contribute to making more tailored and feasible dietary suggestions compatible with long-standing Mongolian values and customs.
Paper long abstract
What is considered a 'healthy diet' varies across Mongolia. Calories, nutrition, and the concept of a so-called 'balanced meal' or 'healthy diet,' initially developed and promoted outside Mongolia, have become parts of the food selection criteria for many in Ulaanbaatar. Meanwhile, some types of food in dietary recommendations are often considered less fresh and healthy in rural and peri-urban Mongolia. By exploring daily food selection criteria and what is considered healthy in rural, urban, and peri-urban Mongolia, I will discuss how anthropological perspectives could contribute to making more tailored and feasible dietary suggestions compatible with long-standing Mongolian values and customs.