The Diet History of the Eskimo People, Influencing Weight Factors

The Diet of the Arctic Culture

Translation of Eskimo in American Indian: " Eaters of Raw Meat".

Eskimos are among our Greatest of Hunters in the world. Braving the cold of the Arctic region was challenging, and at times, deadly among the ages of history.

The ability to gather nourishment was essential to life; there was no choice in whether to rest at home in warmth, or to brave the elements. They had to do such in order to continue living.

To survive in the Arctic climate, the body requires many more calories than a person would use in a controlled climate.

A cold climate burns more energy (calories) that a stabilized environment - yet when the climate reverts to one that is very warm or hot, the body also burns energy at an increased rate amid this setting.

Foods that were high in fat provided those necessary calories for energy while assisting in keeping the body warmer in the frigid temperatures. Many times, the protective fur of the seal or polar bear determined the risks of survival amid hunting.

The Eskimo Diet

Foods included in the daily diet of the Eskimo: seals, whales - including the skin, walrus liver, cod, salmon, caribou, bears, fox, rabbits and geese.

Even though the modern Eskimo diet contains a lot of fat, heart disease within this culture is one of the lowest in the world. Through study and research, a healthy link was found in the fish oil consumed by the Eskimos.

Some other factors that play into the heart-healthy Eskimo people include genetics, physical activity, age and lifestyle.

Caloric Values of the Foods in the Eskimo Diet

Walrus was on the table quite a lot. Let's review the caloric and nutritional values for the meat. In the first column we find the raw harvested meat of the walrus based on per 100 grams OR about 3.5 ounces of meat.

The second column is for dried meat of the walrus, and the third and last column gives the nutrition facts for walrus liver.

Walrus Nutrition Facts Raw Meat, Alaska Native	Units	Per 3.5 Ounces
Energy, Calories	kcal	199
Protein	g	19.20
Total lipid (fat)	g	13.60
Total saturated fats	g	2.570
Total monounsaturated	g	8.420
Total polyunsaturated	g	2.600
Cholesterol	mg	80
Carbohydrate, total	g	0.00
Calcium, Ca	mg	18
Iron, Fe	mg	9.40
Phosphorus, P	mg	122
Thiamin	mg	0.180
Riboflavin	mg	0.240
Niacin	mg	4.800
Vitamin A, IU	IU	170

Walrus Dried Meat Alaska Native	Units	Per 3.5 Ounces
Energy, Calories	kcal	251
Protein	g	57.00
Total lipid (fat)	g	2.60
Carbohydrates	g	0.00
Iron, Fe	mg	43.00
Phosphorus, P	mg	415
Thiamin	mg	0.210
Riboflavin	mg	0.790
Niacin	mg	10.100
Vitamin A, IU	IU	410

Walrus Liver, Raw Alaska Native	Units	Per 3.5 Ounces
Energy, Calories	kcal	125
Protein	g	21.00
Total lipid (fat)	g	3.00
Carbohydrates	g	3.50
Iron, Fe	mg	14.40
Phosphorus, P	mg	208
Thiamin	mg	0.080
Riboflavin	mg	1.910
Vitamin A, IU	IU	81200

Walrus Oil Alaska Native	Units	Per 3.5 Ounces
Energy	kcal	900
Protein	g	0.00
Total lipid (fat)	g	100.00
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	0.00
Calcium, Ca	mg	0
Thiamin	mg	0.000
Riboflavin	mg	0.000
Niacin	mg	0.000
Vitamin A, IU	IU	2600
Cholesterol	mg	120

The data nutrition table to our left lists the facts for walrus oil.

More Notes on the Eskimo Diet

A historical glance at a typical meal enjoyed by the Eskimo people most assuredly held meats cooked with dry heat.

Because of the permafrost, vegetables sources were challenging, particularly when the more brutal temperatures moved in for a long winter's stay.

For years now, the people of Alaska have been using specially designed greenhouses which trap the heat produced by the sun to render tasty vegetables - such as 'hot house' tomatoes.

For a traditional Eskimo feast, enjoy a serving of healthy salmon in your weight loss plan. Sprinkle with lemon pepper as well as cracked pepper. Roast in the oven or toaster oven on a piece of aluminum foil until fish is flaky and fork-tender.

The History of Ethnic Diets

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