Candomblé: práticas alimentares e possíveis repercussões sobre o estado nutricional de seus adeptos.

Abstract

Objectives: Analyze feeding practices related to the religion of Candomblé practitioners in Rio Grande do Norte, and the possible relationship with the nutritional status of the supporters. Methods: Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Using structured interviews and bibliographical review. Results: The offering of food is a symbolic act embodying an agreement between the practitioners and his orixá, the faithful must share with them their food and drink, and restrict the consumption of foods that your orixá has aversion. During the analysis, we found considerable variation in food preferences among nations and their respectives orixás. In most cases, we observed the preference for recipes that have as legumes and cereals basis. The more often restricted foods are some types of meat, especially the pork. Few food sources of vitamins and minerals have been cited as quizilas, with the exception of citrus fruits that are Oxalá's quizilas. Conclusions: Feeding practices of Candomblé practitioners do not seem to be decisive for the development of nutritional problems, since a diversified diet would be able to replace foods that are usually restricted or fasts.