CBC Paper Group Two
Russian culture ------ Food
Russian culture is associated with the country of Russia and, sometimes, specifically with ethnic Russians. It has a rich history and can boast a long tradition of excellence in every aspect of the arts, especially when it comes to literature and philosophy, classical music and ballet, architecture and painting, cinema and animation, which all had considerable influence on the world culture. The country also has a rich material culture and a strong tradition in technology. Among its various cultures, the most surprising one to me is Russian food. Russian cuisine is diverse, as Russia is the largest country in the world (by area). Russian cuisine derives its varied character from the vast and multi-cultural expanse of Russia.
Russia is mainly a northern country with long-lasting cold winter. The food should give them much energy and warmth to survive during the winter time. So, the essential components of Russian cuisine are the ones, which provide more carbohydrates and fat rather than proteins. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely used in food. So, the top five components of a Russian meal are potatoes, bread, eggs, meat (especially beef) and butter. Other popular foods include cabbage, milk, sour cream, curds, mushrooms, lard, cucumbers, tomatoes, honey, sugar, salt, garlic, and onions. Soups and stews full of flavor are centered on seasonal or storable produce, fish, and meats. This wholly native food remained the staple for the vast majority of Russians well. But most of the foods contain high fat.
It is acknowledged by many people that eating a high fat diet has been shown to cause health conditions that are detrimental and can lead to problems. A high fat meal once in a while is OK for people who are otherwise healthy. Eating this type of food on a regular basis, however, will result in negative health consequences. In other words, high fat food could lead you to suffer a lot of diseases.
One of the most prevalent dangers of consuming too much fat is becoming obese. If people eat a lot of fatty food, they are likely consuming way more calories than they need in one day, which results in weight gain. Over time, excessive weight gain will lead to obesity, a condition that is associated with a variety of other health concerns, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. What’s more, too much fat in people’s daily diet is unhealthy because it can lead to buildup of cholesterol in their blood vessels, which can also result in heart disease. Having heart disease puts people at a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack. In addition, fatty foods increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a joint disease that is painful and can be crippling.
All in all, because of Russian harsh climate, high fat foods become their daily diet. That is why we can see many fat Russians both man and women. However, without those high fat foods, maybe they could not survive in old days. As a consequence, every country has its own culture and that is the unique Russian traditional food culture.