Traditional practices and beliefs influence and support the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth in different parts of the world. Not much research has been conducted to examine whether and how cultural traditions continue to shape maternity experiences of Zulu women. The aim of this study is to establish the extent at which women in certain rural communities adhere to traditional food taboos and practices during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and infants feeding, in comparison to what is recommended by health care workers. A survey was conducted in the rural northern KwaZulu-Natal between 2017 and 2020. A total of 140 women between the ages of 18 and 90 years were interviewed and they were chosen purposively based on their experiences in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant care, and their willingness to share the knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most (64%) of the participants said that they adhered to these cultural food taboos and practices. The most common foods avoided were certain fruits [mango, naartjie, orange, papaya, and peach], butternut, eggs, sweets (sugar, commercial juice, sweet food, and honey), chili, ice, and alcohol. The most recommended foods during pregnancy were leafy vegetables, fruits (except the avoided ones), liver, and fish. For postpartum recovery, women mostly consumed soft porridge, all fruits and vegetables, beetroot, and tea. Food not allowed for children younger than 2 years included meat, sugar and sweets, and chewable foods. Differences on food taboos and practices between participants who received formal education and those who did not received it were insignificant. The beliefs about the detrimental effects of some foods were not backed up by scientific research. Restriction of some orange/yellow colored fruits during pregnancy that are rich in vitamin A and/or C may affect daily requirements of these micronutrients, and the foods recommended during pregnancy and postpartum period would not provide all the essential nutrients required for successful pregnancy. However, some of the food taboos would protect women from unhealthy eating. Our findings provide a basis for developing culturally appropriate nutritional mediation programs for Zulu women with a view to provide effective nutritional counseling.

中文翻译：

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夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省北部祖鲁族妇女怀孕期间、产后恢复和婴儿护理期间的传统食物禁忌和做法


传统习俗和信仰影响和支持世界不同地区妇女在怀孕和分娩期间的行为。目前还没有太多研究来检验文化传统是否以及如何继续影响祖鲁妇女的生育经历。本研究的目的是确定某些农村社区的妇女在怀孕、产后恢复和婴儿喂养期间遵守传统食物禁忌和做法的程度，并与卫生保健工作者的建议进行比较。 2017 年至 2020 年间，夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省北部农村地区进行了一项调查。共有 140 名年龄在 18 岁至 90 岁之间的女性接受了采访，她们是根据她们在怀孕、产后恢复、婴儿护理和生育方面的经验而有目的地选择的。他们愿意分享知识。使用描述性统计分析数据。大多数（64%）的参与者表示他们遵守这些文化饮食禁忌和做法。最常见的避免食物是某些水果（芒果、橙子、橙子、木瓜和桃子）、胡桃、鸡蛋、糖果（糖、商业果汁、甜食和蜂蜜）、辣椒、冰和酒精。怀孕期间最推荐的食物是叶类蔬菜、水果（除了避免吃的）、肝脏和鱼。为了产后恢复，女性主要食用软粥、所有水果和蔬菜、甜菜根和茶。 2 岁以下儿童不允许食用的食物包括肉类、糖和糖果以及咀嚼食品。接受过正规教育的参与者和未接受过正规教育的参与者之间在食物禁忌和做法上的差异微不足道。关于某些食物有害影响的信念并没有得到科学研究的支持。 怀孕期间限制食用一些富含维生素 A 和/或 C 的橙色/黄色水果可能会影响这些微量营养素的日常需求，并且怀孕期间和产后期间推荐的食物无法提供成功怀孕所需的所有必需营养素。然而，一些食物禁忌可以保护女性免受不健康饮食的影响。我们的研究结果为制定适合祖鲁妇女文化的营养调解计划奠定了基础，以提供有效的营养咨询。