Middle Class Diet: Towards Coronary Catastrophe

Generally, in the Himalaya, the poor population eats vegetarian food, consuming meat only on special occasions. The situation, however, is quite different for the burgeoning middle and upper-middle classes. Although, on the average Nepal is not getting any richer, the size of the nouveau riche has increased considerably in the past two decades. And what is happening to the dietary pattern of this group is quite startling.

Traditionally, people ate meat (goats slaughtered at home) only occasionally. Now, professional butchers sell meat every day except on certain holidays. Those who do not observe religious holidays can get frozen meat any time. This is a reflection of increased buying capacity and a changed lifestyle. Today, there are many more social get-togethers and vastly increased consumption of alcohol, both of which is said to call for meat-eating. Not only is the khasi eaten with skin and fat, but the liver, kidney and entrails are fried in oil and eaten as tidbits with drinks.