Food Habits of Tanzania

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Oil & fats

In East Africa the main sources of vegetable fat during the 1960s were obtained from:

• Sim-sim (sesame oil)
• Coconut
  
• Groundnuts
  
• Oil palms
  
• Oil palm had a high vitamin A activity but it was difficult even in the areas where the palm grew well to obtain good germination of the seeds
  
• The oyster nut (Telfairea pedata) was a good source of vegetable oil for some natives in East Africa in the past. Furthermore it was very highly esteemed for pregnant women.
  Fats of animal origin were used very rare by the ethnical groups of East Africa.
  

  Reference: Culwick, A. T. and G. M. Culwick (1941). "Nutrition and native agriculture in East Africa." East African Medical Journal 6: 146-153.
  

Fats in East Africa 1953

PDF: Report on dietary survey and nutritional assessment in East Africa 1953

Created by Verena Raschke 2005 / Contact