Plant-based food taboos in pregnancy and the postpartum period in Southeast Asia – a systematic review of literature

Abstract

Purpose Food taboos during pregnancy and the postpartum period have been linked to increased risk of maternal and neonatal death. This paper aims to present plant-based food restrictions on Southeast Asian women during pregnancy and after giving birth and the rationale behind such cultural practices. Design/methodology/approach Google® Scholar, PubMed and Scopus search using the term food taboo, its synonyms and truncations, in combination with the terms pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding, and with the name of the Southeast Asian countries, was conducted from January to February 2017. Articles were included in the review if their full texts were accessible online, in English, published from 2005 to 2016 and if they contained primary data from either quantitative or qualitative method. Findings A total of 281 articles were downloaded, and 28 were included in this review. The food taboos and the reasons for avoidance were collated and grouped per their occurrence and according to the country or countries where they are practiced. In total, 14 papers generated data on food taboos during pregnancy, 16 papers on postpartum food taboos and/or 6 on breastfeeding. Research limitations/implications This review pools together relevant information about plant-based food taboos Southeast Asian women adhere to during pregnancy and after giving birth. However, data are absent for some of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, and there is a need for more research to get up-to-date information on the local women’s adherence to these cultural practices. Practical implication The knowledge of these practices can support stakeholders who are contributing to the reduction of maternal and under-five mortality ratios in Southeast Asia. Originality/value This is the first review paper on food taboos covering all ASEAN members and highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity to properly address maternal and child health problems in the region.

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

“… 81 , 90 Maternal deficiency may have been due to the widespread consumption of fermented fish, betel nuts, and fermented tea leaves, all known to contain antithiamine compounds that inhibit the absorption and bioavailability of thiamine and exacerbate thiamine deficiency even in the presence of adequate intakes. 91 In such contexts, where maternal dietary thiamine intakes are insufficient due to low dietary diversity, where consumption of thiamine antagonists or thiaminases is widespread, or where traditional, highly restrictive postpartum diets are commonplace, 92 , 93 pregnant and lactating women may require concurrent nutrition counseling and behavior change communication in order to optimize thiamine supplementation programs.…”

Determining key research areas for healthier diets and sustainable food systems in Viet Nam

“…Post-partum, women are reported to avoid 'cold' foods in order to restore their vitality, and encouraged to consume animal source foods that are 'hot' and promote blood generation and flow (Köhler et al 2018). Fresh fruits (those that are fresh, 'itchy,' and with white sap) and vegetables (that are bitter, fermented, fresh, green leafy, hairy, strong smelling, yellow flowering) are regarded as 'cold' and as such are avoided during pregnancy and post-partum (Köhler et al 2018).…”

“…Post-partum, women are reported to avoid 'cold' foods in order to restore their vitality, and encouraged to consume animal source foods that are 'hot' and promote blood generation and flow (Köhler et al 2018). Fresh fruits (those that are fresh, 'itchy,' and with white sap) and vegetables (that are bitter, fermented, fresh, green leafy, hairy, strong smelling, yellow flowering) are regarded as 'cold' and as such are avoided during pregnancy and post-partum (Köhler et al 2018). A common post-partum dish that is encouraged to be consumed for two months after birth to promote breast milk production is a combined dish of pork trotters with either papaya or red beans and potato (Lundberg and Trieu Thi Ngoc Thu 2011).…”

Infantile thiamine deficiency in South and Southeast Asia: An age‐old problem needing new solutions

“…Across Asia, deeply rooted and culturally determined food restrictions during the perinatal period are commonplace (Köhler et al 20182019…”

“…). Post‐partum food restrictions can continue for 2 days to 2–3 years after delivery for reasons such as helping the mother’s body heal after childbirth, avoiding illness in both the mother and her infant, and beliefs that avoiding certain foods improve the quality and quantity of breast milk (Köhler et al 20182019…”