Central Europeans, People of the Central Europeans, People of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Scandinaviaand ScandinaviaChapter 7

IntroductionIntroductionSome of the earliest and largest

ethnic groups to the USContributions include◦Bread baking◦Dairy farming◦Meat processing◦Beer brewing

Central Europe FSU/Russian Federation

Germany Armenia

Austria Azerbaijan

Hungary Belarus

Romania Georgia

Czech Republic Kazakstan

Slovakia Kyrgyzstan

Poland Rep of Moldavia

Switzerland Tajikistan

Liechtenstein Turkmenistan

FSU/Baltic States

Ukraine

•Estonia Uzbekistan

•Latvia

•Lithuania

Immigration Patterns: GermansImmigration Patterns: GermansLargest ethnic group in US and least visibleEarliest in early 1700’s◦Pennsylvania Dutch seeking religious freedom

German farmers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and IndianaSecond group in 1800’s◦ Farmers and their families

Early 1900’s◦Unmarried industrial workers◦Descendants of Germans who had settled in

Russia1930’s brought Jewish refugeesAfter WWII there were German refugees

Immigration Patterns: PolesImmigration Patterns: PolesEarliest to US was 1608Most came between 1860 and 1914◦German ruled areas of Poland ◦Western Germany

After 1890 Poles from areas under Austrian and Russian rule◦Chicago, Buffalo, and Cleveland

After WWI came from political dissatisfaction

Immigration Patterns: OthersImmigration Patterns: OthersAustrians◦ Initially classified with Hungarians and unskilled◦Austrian Jews fled Hitler’s arrival

Hungarians◦Early immigrants were wealthy political refugees

after 1848◦ Later Ohio, West Virginia, N Illinois, Indiana coal

minesCzechs◦Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota

farmers◦Skilled laborers settling in the urban areas of

New York, Cleveland, and Chicago.

Immigration Patterns: OthersImmigration Patterns: OthersSlovaks◦Northeast and Midwest◦Coal mines, steel mills, and oil refineries

Swiss◦Artisans or professionals ◦Urban areas of New York, Philadelphia,

Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles

Gypsies or Roma◦ Insular ethnic group found throughout the

world◦ In US primarily from central Europe

Immigration Patterns: FSUImmigration Patterns: FSU◦Often listed as Russians

Lithuania◦After 1861 and then after WWII

Ukraine◦Recruited to coals mines of Pennsylvania◦ Factory work in Ohio, New York, and Michigan

Armenia◦ First in 1890 for economic opportunity◦Armenians from Turkey came after both WW◦ Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Detroit,

Chicago, and the agricultural region of Fresno, California.

Current Demographics and Current Demographics and Socioeconomic StatusSocioeconomic StatusGermans◦Some maintain aspects of their heritage◦higher in economic achievement and are

generally conservative in attitudinal ratings

◦ Heavy anti-German sentiment after WWI◦Rapid assimilation

Poles◦Just below or solidly at middle-class level◦Formation and leadership in labor unions

Current Demographics and Current Demographics and Socioeconomic Status: OthersSocioeconomic Status: OthersAustrian◦Clothing and tailoring, mining◦Bakeries, meatpacking operations, and

restaurants Hungarians◦Urban, white collar workers◦Engineers

Czech◦Sales, machinist, or white-collar jobs◦Founded businesses in cigars, beer and

watches

Current Demographics and Current Demographics and Socioeconomic Status: OthersSocioeconomic Status: OthersSlovak◦White collar families with high incomes◦Strong family and cultural ties likely

Swiss◦Multicultural, multilingual◦Work in Swiss companies

Gypsies◦Tradition of roaming, are very mobile◦ Independent trades and service positions◦Women are often in the mystical arts

Fortunetelling

Current Demographics and Current Demographics and Socioeconomic Status: Russia/FSUSocioeconomic Status: Russia/FSURecent immigrants settle in urban

areas◦Ukrainians in PA◦Armenians in CA

Most have easily assimilated◦In part due to anticommunist sentiments

Recent immigrants with advanced degrees

Recent Armenian immigrants may be far below poverty line

Worldview – Religion: GermansWorldview – Religion: GermansEarly immigrants primarily LutheranSome JewishSome Roman CatholicMennonites◦From the Anabaptist movement◦Simple lifestyle◦Rejection of oaths, public office, military

serviceAmish◦Strict sect of Mennonites◦No electricity or cars

Worldview – Religion: Poles, Worldview – Religion: Poles, OthersOthersPoles◦Devout Catholics

Austrians◦Most Catholic ◦Some Jewish

Hungarian and Slovaks◦Primarily Catholic

Czech◦Catholic, but many have left the church

Worldview – Religion: GypsiesWorldview – Religion: GypsiesFrom Asian Indian religionsWorldview called Romaniya◦Believe in God, devil, ghosts, and

predestination.◦Persons and things are either pure or

polluted.◦Preserve purity ◦Avoid contamination through contact with

non-gypsiesSome Gypsy Americans are Christian◦Often fundamentalists◦Combined Christian and Gypsy concepts

Worldview – Religion: Worldview – Religion: Russians and People of the FSURussians and People of the FSURussia◦Majority are of the Russian Orthodox

Church◦Soviet Jews

Ukrainian and Lithuanian Americans◦Roman Catholic

Armenian Americans◦Armenian Apostolic Church◦Armenian Rite of the Roman Catholic

Church

Worldview: FamilyWorldview: FamilyGermans◦Traditionally large families on farms, later

in businesses.◦Pennsylvania Dutch (descendants of

German immigrants) and the Amish still have large families

Poles◦Patriarchal with mother caring for home. ◦Wives and children rarely worked outside

the home

Family: OthersFamily: OthersAustrian◦Tight nuclear family with father in charge

of finances and mother ruling home life.Czech and Hungarian◦Male dominated with many relatives.

Slovaks◦Strong family ties with respect for parents.

Family: GypsiesFamily: GypsiesMaintain extended family Temporarily band together while

traveling with multifamily groups. Father in charge of all public matters Women take care of family income

and manage all money matters◦Retain power due to ability to

communicate with the supernatural worldArranged marriages are common

Family: RussiansFamily: RussiansTraditionally large familiesWomen legally dependent on their

husbands◦Changing◦Families are smaller due to women

working and with more education◦Still maintain all household chores

Russian families have fewer childrenEducation emphasized◦Russian language

Family: FSU Family: FSU Ukrainian and Lithuanian early

immigrants were single men who were basically forced to intermarry with other ethnic groups.

Men dominate the householdWomen run the homeExtended family is the normArmenians are tight-knit with respect for

elders maintainedAll are similar to the average American

household

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: GermansPractices: GermansGerman biomedicine uses botanicals

extensivelyIllness may be believed to be caused by

infection or stressExpected consequence of hard laborDress properly, avoid drafts, breathe

fresh airExercise, work hardTake cod liver oilSuffering is “a blessing from God”Lots of home remedies used

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: Pennsylvania DutchPractices: Pennsylvania DutchHearty diet Home remedies, homeopathy, healers

commonSympathy healing◦ Laying on of hands◦Powwowing or Brauche◦Charms, spells, and blessings to cure symptoms◦Healer acts as God’s instrument and requests

God’s direct assistance in treatmentsReflexologyHerbal Teas

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: PolesPractices: PolesShortage of medical supplies in Poland

led to widespread use of faith healersFaith in GodReligious medalsAvoid sick peopleHealthy dietSleepKeep warmExerciseLoving homeAvoid gossip

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: GypsiesPractices: GypsiesHealth maintained through marimé ◦Purity and pollution related to Asian Indian

beliefsSeparate clean from unclean◦Upper body and all secretions pure◦Lower half unclean and shameful◦Avoid contamination of upper body by

touching lower body Left hand only for personal care Menstrual blood especially impure

◦Avoid public places non-Gypsies frequent◦Don’t touch contaminated surfaces

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: GypsiesPractices: GypsiesIllness due to ◦Contact with non-Gypsies◦Conditions caused by spirits, ghosts, the

devil, or breaking cultural rulesHome remediesGypsy healersNon-Gypsy conditions are suitable for

treatment by non-Gypsy physicians◦May still consult a non-Gypsy folk healer

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: Russian and the FSUPractices: Russian and the FSUNatural cures, alternative medicine used

extensivelyOften integrated with biomedical therapySaunasMassageSteam bathsBalneotherapy◦Bathing in mineral springs

Mud baths, sulfurated hydrogen bathsHomeopathic preparations and herbals

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices: Russian and the FSUPractices: Russian and the FSUMagic and the occult ◦ Cure illnesses due to supernatural ◦ Psychics and Znakarki

Elder women who whisper charms and sprinkle water with magic powers

Siberia◦ Spiritual crisis, soul loss, evil spirits, breach of taboos,

curses◦ Shamans realigned life forces, retrieved souls

Visualization, singing, chanting, prognostication, dream analysis, séances

Russians who don’t believe in occult practices ◦ Illness from social conflict, political problems, war,

poor medical care, starvation

Traditional Food Habits: Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common FoodsIngredients and Common Foods Determined by what

grows in cooler, damper climates

Potatoes, Beans, Beets Cabbage and cabbage

family Eggs and Dairy products Pork, Beef, Fish Seafood from the Baltic Fresh fish from local

lakes Apples Rye, Wheat, Barley

Traditional Food Habits: Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common FoodsIngredients and Common FoodsDried, pickled, or fermented for

preservation◦Cucumber pickles◦Sour cream◦Sauerkraut

Traditional Food Habits: Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients & Common Foods: BreadsIngredients & Common Foods: Breads Rye and other grains Darker

◦ Whole or cracked wheat◦ Black◦ Rye or pumpernickel◦ Caraway, egg, or potato◦ Cornmeal◦ Pretzels

Dumplings◦ May be stuffed or

unstuffed Pastries Stuffed pockets Buckwheat - Russia

Traditional Food Habits: Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients & Common Foods: MeatsIngredients & Common Foods: MeatsPork is the most

popular◦Schnitzel

Meat cutlet

◦HamBeef◦Sauerbraten◦German National

DishVeal◦Young calf

Poultry◦Goose

German Holidays

◦Chicken Kiev Russia

Game meats◦Hasenpfeffer

German rabbit dish

◦Bigos Polish “Hunter’s Stew”

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Ground Meatsand Common Foods: Ground MeatsSeasoned with a binder to stretch meat

when it was expensive or scarceSteak Tartare◦Raw ground beef on toast

Ground meat to stuff vegetables or make meatballs

Hungary known for gulyás◦Goulash◦Paprika-spiced stew◦Sweet Hungarian Paprika is ground, dried,

red chile peppers with sugar added

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Sausages (Wurst)and Common Foods: Sausages (Wurst)Rohwurst◦Cured and smoked ◦Can be eaten as is

Bruhwurst◦ Frankfurter

Kockwurst◦ Like a cold cut

Bratwurst◦Similar to raw

sausage links

Polish ◦Kikielbasa

Garlic flavored

Austria ◦Wieners

Czechs and Slovaks◦ Jaternice

from pork

◦ Jelita blood sausage

Traditional Food Habits: Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: FishIngredients and Common Foods: FishFresh and salt water fish◦Fresh, smoked or cured

Trout, carp, and eelGermany◦Pickled herring

Russia ◦Smoked salmon and sturgeon

Caviar (sturgeon roe)Poland ◦Fish is not popular as associated with Soviet

rule

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Dairy productsand Common Foods: Dairy productsEaten dailyCheeses served at any mealMay be fresh and sweet or strongly flavoredFresh milkButterButter milk◦Kefir (FSU)

Sour creamFresh creamWhipped cream daily in Austria and Germany

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Fruits/Vegsand Common Foods: Fruits/VegsCold weather fruits and vegetablesRed and green cabbagePotatoesBeetsKohlrabiCucumbersOnions Mushrooms◦ In Poland a meat substitute on religious fast days

Temperate vegetables more common now◦ Cauliflower and tomatoes

Apples, cherries, plums, berries

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Sweetsand Common Foods: SweetsEnjoyed dailyCheesecake, coffee cakes, doughnuts, nut or

fruit-filled individual pastriesApple, cherry, raspberry, chocolate, almond,

poppy seed flavorsAustria: ◦ Apple strudel

Germany: ◦ Black Forest Cake

Lithuania and Poland: ◦ Branch Cake

Russia◦ Cooked fruits such as the berry pudding kisel

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Beveragesand Common Foods: BeveragesCentral Europe◦Coffee is most common

Russia◦Strong tea◦Served in samovar

Brass urn heated by charcoal

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Beveragesand Common Foods: BeveragesGermany, Austria, Hungary, ◦Beer most popular◦Excellent wines

German beer can be sweet, bitter, weak strong and typically bottom-fermented◦ Lager◦Bock beer is strong flavored◦Marzenbier

Midway between pilsner and bock◦Weissbier

Wheat beer with lemon or raspberry fruit syrup◦Schnapps

Fruit brandy

Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients Traditional Food Habits: Ingredients and Common Foods: Beveragesand Common Foods: BeveragesCzechs◦ Pilsner Beer

Bitter but light in colorPoland ◦ Goldwasser

Has flakes of gold◦ Mead

Fermented from honeyRussia◦ Kvass

Sour beer fermented from rye bread or beets◦ Vodka

Distilled spirit from potatoes Popular in Poland and Russia

SwitzerlandSwitzerlandKnown for Fondue◦Hot dish of melted cheese, etc., in which

food is dippedZesty cheeses with holes◦Emmenthal

Original Swiss cheese

◦Gruyère.

ArmeniaArmeniaCuisine greatly influenced by Greeks,

Turks, Persian, Syrians and other Arabs

Word for bread is “meal” or “food”Lamb is staple meat, pork rarely eatenFreshwater fishYogurt and cheese dailyFresh, dried and pickled fruits and

vegetables

Armenian DinnerArmenian DinnerMezze with anise-flavored aperitif rakiSoups made with yogurt, eggs, lemon,

tomatoesSaladsKebabs, stew or casseroleBread such as pitaFruit for dessertCoffee, tea, than ◦Yogurt thinned with water and flavored with

mintWine and brandy

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily PatternsDaily PatternsCentral Europe◦5 – 6 large meals daily in the past◦Today 3 meals plus snacks

Gypsies◦Two meals daily◦Morning and late afternoon◦Social occasions

Russia and the FSU◦3 hearty meals daily ◦Snacking is rare

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: Central EuropeDaily Patterns: Central Europe Breakfast

◦ Bread ◦ Butter and jam◦ Hardboiled eggs◦ Cheese◦ Ham

Midmorning breakfast◦ Coffee◦ Tea◦ Hot chocolate◦ Pastries◦ Bread and fruit OR◦ A small sandwich

Lunch◦ Soup◦ Fish, 1-2 ◦ Meat dishes with vegetables◦ Stewed fruit◦ Dessert with whipped cream

Mid-afternoon break◦ Coffee or tea, cake or

cookies Evening meal

◦ Lighter◦ Salads◦ Pickled or smoked fish◦ Cheese, ham and sauces◦ Selection of breads

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: Russia and the FSUDaily Patterns: Russia and the FSUBreadSoup made from beets◦Borscht

CabbageFishKasha◦Cooked porridge from barley, buckwheat or

milletLithuania◦Soup is replaced with salad

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: RussiaDaily Patterns: RussiaCzars ate 4 meals

dailyZakuski◦Part of the traditional

czarist evening meal◦ “Small bites”◦Still part of Russia

today◦An array of

appetizers◦ From simple to

countless

EtiquetteEtiquette More formal than Americans Germany

◦ Invitations for dessert or wine later in the evening Host begins meal with appropriate announcement Gifts are good quality dessert wines, candies, or pastries

◦ Not Vodka where it is served Fork in left hand, knife in right

◦ In Germany do not use knives unless absolutely necessary◦ Knife to cut potatoes, etc., an insult as it implies the food is tough

Hands above the table with wrists on edge Pass dishes to left Specific glasses for each beverage that will be refilled quickly

◦ Consume vodka in one shot

Special OccasionsSpecial OccasionsUsually have religious significanceTraditions often have pre-Christian

rootsChristmas and Easter are major

holidaysImmigrants brought to the US ◦Christmas tree◦Easter egg hunt

Special Occasions: GermanySpecial Occasions: GermanyLand of popular festivals Lots of food and drinkMunich’s Oktoberfest◦Sausage eating and beer drinking◦World’s largest public event

Easter bunny hides eggs on EasterHam and pureed peas for Easter

dinner

Special Occasions: GermanySpecial Occasions: GermanyAdvent and Christmas are holiest seasons◦ Tree lit on Christmas Eve◦ Christ Child brings presents◦ Take tree down on Epiphany◦ Large dinner on Christmas

Christmas Carp on Christmas EveHare or goose with apples and nuts on

Christmas DayMarzipanSpice cakesCookiesFruit cakesGingerbread houses

Special Occasions: PolandSpecial Occasions: PolandChristmas and Easter are the most

importantEaster dinner◦Roast suckling pig, hams, coils of sausages

and roast veal◦Painted hard boiled eggs, grated horseradish◦Paschal lamb sculpted from butter or white

sugar◦Babka is a rich yeast cake◦All food blessed by the priest

Special Occasions: PolandSpecial Occasions: PolandChristmas Eve is a fast day◦ Meatless meal served when the first star of the

evening is seen◦ Barszcz Wigilijny

Soup similar to borscht made with mushrooms and beets◦ Carp on Christmas Even◦ Makowiec

A rich Christmas cakeNew Year’s Eve◦ Paczki

Jelly doughnutsNew Year’s Day◦ Bigos ◦ Washed down with vodka

Special Occasions: Czech Special Occasions: Czech RepublicRepublicCzechs◦Eat carp four ways

at Christmas Breaded and fried Baked with dried

prunes Cold in aspic Fish soup

◦Vanocka Christmas bread

◦Easter dinner is ham or roasted kid

Special Occasions: SlovakiaSpecial Occasions: Slovakia Christmas Break Advent fast with

oplatky◦ Wafer with honey

Christmas Eve meal ◦ Wild mushroom soup◦ Cabbage◦ Potato dumplings◦ Stuffed cabbage ◦ Mulled wine◦ Babalky

Bread with poppy seeds

Easter Dinner dessert called

paska◦ Pyramid shaped dessert

Meal will be blessed by the priest on Holy Saturday

Ham, sausages, duck or goose

Horseradish Syrek

◦ Easter cheese Hrudka

◦ Imitation cheese ball

Special Occasions: HungarySpecial Occasions: HungaryEaster is most important holidayPancakes are eaten on Shrove

TuesdaySour eggs and herring salad on Ash

WednesdayEaster week has new spring

vegetables and painted Easter eggsGood Friday meal with wine-flavored

soup, stuffed eggs and baked fish

Special Occasions: EasterSpecial Occasions: EasterFeast of Easter Eve◦Rich chicken soup with dumplings or

noodles◦Roasted meat◦Pickled vegetables◦Stuffed cabbage rolls◦Cakes and pastries◦Coffee

Special Occasions: HungarySpecial Occasions: HungaryChristmas Eve◦Meatless with fish and potatoes

Christmas Day◦Roast turkey, chicken or goose◦Roast potatoes◦Stuffed Cabbage◦Desserts

Brandied fruits Fruit compote Poppy seed and nut cakes

Special Occasions: AustriaSpecial Occasions: AustriaChristmas and EasterFasching◦Originally a pagan ceremony◦Drive out the evil spirits of winter ◦Parade down the streets ringing cow bells◦Now a multi-day carnival associated with

Lent◦Doughnuts, fritters, other sweets are

typical food

Special Occasions: Russia and Special Occasions: Russia and the FSUthe FSUFast days◦ Fish ◦Mushrooms

Forest meat

Easter is most significant holidayButter Festival ◦Maslenitas◦Precedes the 40 days of Lent◦Blini

Raised buckwheat pancakes Numerous toppings Butter is traditional as can’t be consumed during Lent

Special Occasions: Russia and Special Occasions: Russia and the FSUthe FSUEaster meal after midnight Mass◦Pasha

Cake decorated with XB (Christ is Risen)

◦Kulich Cake made from rich, sweet yeast dough

◦Red or hand decorated eggsPentecost (Trinity) Sunday◦Kulich leftover from Easter eaten

Special Occasions: Special Occasions: Russia and the UkraineRussia and the UkraineChristmas Eve◦ 12 different dishes represent the 12 apostles◦Kutia or Sochivo

Porridge of wheat grains, honey, poppy seeds and stewed, dried fruit

Christmas Day celebrated with festive mealNew Year’s◦Children receive gifts◦Spicy ginger cakes

Krendel◦Pretzel shaped sweet bread◦Eaten on wedding anniversaries and name days

Therapeutic Use of Food: Therapeutic Use of Food: GermansGermansChicken soup◦Diarrhea, vomiting, sore throats

Tea◦Upset stomach

Milk with honey◦Coughs

Pennsylvania Dutch◦Cold drinks are unhealthy◦Eat meat 3 times per day◦Herbal teas for many complaints

Therapeutic use of food: PolesTherapeutic use of food: PolesColic◦ Tea, soda water, sauerkraut

Cramps◦ Chamomile tea

Colds◦ Tea with dried raspberries◦ Wine

High blood pressure◦ Cooked garlic

Coughs◦ Warm beverages

“Sweat out” an illness◦ Tea with honey and alcoholic spirits

Therapeutic Use of Food: Therapeutic Use of Food: GypsiesGypsiesFresh food most nourishing◦ Leftovers unwholesome◦ Canned and frozen items not fresh

Non-Gypsies carry disease◦ Use disposable plates and utensils in public places

Insufficient intake of lucky foods cause poor health◦ Salt, pepper, vinegar, garlic

Home remedies are common◦ Tea with crushed strawberries◦ Asafetida (devil’s dung)◦ Ghost vomit (Fuligo septica)

Therapeutic Use of Food: Therapeutic Use of Food: Russia & the FSURussia & the FSUButter

◦ EyesightDill

◦ DyspepsiaHoney

◦ FlatulenceGogomul

◦ Egg yolk, sugar, milk, baking soda

◦ Respiratory infectionsTeas

◦ Raspberry, chamomile, eucalyptus, cornsilk

Alcoholic beverages◦ Kvass cures hangovers

Balsam flavored vodka◦ Cures anything

Vodka with herbs◦ Supplement ◦ Consumed as a shot ◦ Added to coffee or tea

Full hearty meals ◦ To maintain health

Adaptations of Food Habits in Adaptations of Food Habits in USUSDiet not significantly different from U.S. fareQuantity did increase◦ Especially of meat

Many traditional foods have become common US fare

3 meals a day but with more dairy and sausagesMore traditional meals served at special

occasionsAmish families celebrate religious holidays only◦ Add a day to the celebration◦ Celebrate quietly at home with family

Nutritional StatusNutritional StatusCentral European diet among highest in

animal products, potatoes, sweets, refined/processed items

Germany◦Highest in fats and oils of animal origin◦ 50% German woman are obese, 66% for men

Slightly lower rates in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary

Recent Russian and FSU immigrants consume diet high in saturated fats, sodium, sugar

All at risk of developing CVD and other conditions associated with high-fat items

Nutritional Status: Russia and Nutritional Status: Russia and FSUFSUImmigrant nutritional deficiencies from

lack of vegs/fruitDietary selenium deficiency, moderate

iron and manganese deficienciesHigh rates of diabetes, HTN, HLD, CVD,

TB, HIVLeukemia and thyroid cancer rates

increased ◦80% of Russian immigrants from regions

affected by ChernobylMay resist x-rays

Nutritional Status: Russia and Nutritional Status: Russia and FSUFSUStrongly support breastfeedingHigh rates of iron-deficiency anemia and

endemic goiter Heavy alcohol use in Russia, some FSU nations

and PolandHigh rates of gastric cancer Lithuania ◦ Due in part to a high consumption of salted and cured

meats and fishHomemade cheeses with unpastuerized milk◦ Increased risk of listeria

Eggs sometimes used raw in uncooked dishes◦ Increased risk of salmonella

Nutritional Status: GypsiesNutritional Status: Gypsies Boston Study:

◦ High rates of HTN, Type 2 Diabetes, Vascular disease◦ Obesity at 85%◦ Chronic renal insufficiency

Europe◦ Dyslipidemia, obesity and insulin resistance

At risk for genetic problems◦ PKU◦ Galactokinase deficiency◦ Citrullinaemina◦ Wilson’s Disease◦ Metchromatic Leucodystrophy

High rates of infant mortality and unfavorable birth outcomes Life expectancy overall is low

CounselingCounselingMay be a language barrier with RussiansGermans – monochronistic◦Formal, polite, respect education and titles◦Direct eye contact and handshake

Poles – quieter than Americans◦Uncomfortable with loudness◦Handshake and direct eye contact

Both may be reluctant to seek medical care

Counseling: AmishCounseling: AmishMay need an interpreterReserved and respectful and expect it in

returnConservative and modestModern health technology okNo photos, pictures, depictions of human

facesMore digestive problems, obesity, bedwettingHigh fat, high sodium dietLess issues with heart disease, alcoholismGenetic issues such as PKU more common

Counseling: Gypsy AmericansCounseling: Gypsy Americans

English may be second languageIlliteracy common“Man’s worth is in his girth”May seek care only in emergenciesMay refuse injections◦Impure

Will bring food to patients◦Contamination feared

Counseling: RussiansCounseling: RussiansRussians expect more formalityMay always respond “no”Direct and possible loud communication3 quick kisses and handshake common

greetingDirect eye contactPreventive medicine unfamiliarCompliance issues with medication or

lifestyle changesAvoid mental health care

Counseling: RussiansCounseling: RussiansMany feel ailments/treatments not

understood in USCulture specific ailments not familiar in

USMedical care in Russia drugs with

alternative treatmentsPrefer injections over oral medsMay self medicateAssertive in US as they had to be

assertive in RussiaMany are highly acculturated

ScandinaviansScandinaviansSweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland

History of Scandinavians in the History of Scandinavians in the USUSLegend says Norsemen first discovered

North AmericaDocumented presence in US◦1629 when Jonas Bronck (Danish) bought

land that became known as the Bronx in NYC

Immigration began in 1800’s◦Norwegians, Swedes primarily◦Few Icelanders

Moved to homestead Midwest statesDanes developed 24 Danish

communities

Current DemographicsCurrent DemographicsAll assimilated wellWere literate, valued educationNorwegians and Sweded◦ Continued farming in Midwest◦ Construction

Swedes◦ Engineering, architecture

Danes◦ Livestock, dairying

Finns◦ Natural resource management, mining engineering,

geology◦ Women in home economics, nursing

Worldview: ReligionWorldview: ReligionMajority who immigrated were

Lutheran◦Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

If not Lutheran, other Protestant churches

Worldview: FamilyWorldview: FamilyNuclear family was center of rural lifeLarge families with father head of

householdKinship ties were strong◦Brought other relatives to US and helped

themSmaller families now◦Finns often with one child

Traditional Health Beliefs and Traditional Health Beliefs and PracticesPracticesFish necessary for good healthNorway◦ Cough and cold confectionaries◦ Herbs and dietary supplement boost immune function

Finns◦ Natural health care ◦ Massage, cupping, bloodletting◦ Sauna used for many things

Swedish Massage◦ Relaxation◦ Increase circulation◦ Promote Healing

Traditional Food HabitsTraditional Food HabitsHearty and simpleAbundant seafood Limited foods produced on landPreservation methods of previous

centuries used◦Fish dried, smoked or pickled◦Milk is fermented or allowed to sour◦Preserve foods with salt

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional Variations Staples and Regional VariationsFeature natural flavors with subtle

seasoning◦Black pepper, onions, dill◦Juniper berries◦Caraway, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom

Lots of FISH ◦Scandinavian dried salt cod◦Pickled herring◦Lox◦Fish sticks ◦Fish with cheese and breadcrumbs

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional VariationsStaples and Regional VariationsCream and butter popularLots of fermented dairy products◦Sour cream, cheese, buttermilk, yogurt-

like products White sauce with milk and parsley◦Known for cheeses

Common for breakfasts and snacks

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional VariationsStaples and Regional VariationsMeats more popular inlandPork is popular, veal, mutton and

lambReindeerGame meats such as elkGoose and grouse, not chickenHistorically meat was scarce and

chopped and combined with other ingredients◦Swedish meatballs

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional Variations Staples and Regional VariationsCold weather vegetables (especially root

crops)◦Rutabagas

Yellow and green split pea soups with ham or pork◦Served with pancakes

Wild mushroomsBerries◦Lingonberries

Fruits stewed or made into preserves ◦Sometimes served with meats

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional Variations Staples and Regional VariationsBreads are often rye◦Norwegian flatbreads◦Swedish knäckebröd

Like hardtack

◦Norwegian lefse Potato and wheat flour dough

◦Norwegian potato dumplings◦Tunnbrød from Sweden

Thin, tortilla like bread Sold as fast food wrapped around fillings

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional Variations Staples and Regional VariationsDesserts rich but not overly sweetButter, cream, sweetened cheese,

cardamomAebelskivers◦Danish pancake puffs

Pancakes or crepes served with berries or jams

Almonds, almond paste or marzipanDanes known for their pastries◦Weinerbrød

Ingredients and Common Foods: Ingredients and Common Foods: Staples and Regional Variations Staples and Regional VariationsMilk is popular beverageAquavit◦Water of life◦Distilling potatoes or grain◦Flavored with caraway or other herb◦Serve ice cold in a Y-shaped glass◦Down like a shot, chase with a beer

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: BreakfastDaily Patterns: Breakfast3 meals a day 3 coffee breaksBreakfast ◦Bread◦Eggs◦Pastries◦Cheese◦ Fruit◦Potatoes ◦Herring◦Sour cream or yogurt like fermented milk◦ Fruit soups in winter

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: LunchDaily Patterns: LunchLunch in Denmark◦ Smørrebrød◦ Open-faced sandwich◦ Means buttered bread◦ May be a snack

Swedes consume hot lunch◦ Pea soup◦ Brisket or hash◦ Mashed rutabaga◦ At work or school

cafeteria

Swedish SmörgåsbordSwedish SmörgåsbordBuffet mealMeans “bread and butter table”Large variety of hot and cold dishes Served with AquavitStarts with herring, then other fish dishesMeats and saladsHot dishes like Swedish meatballs and

mushroom omeletsDessertToday served only on special occasions

Meal Composition and Cycle: Meal Composition and Cycle: Daily Patterns: DinnerDaily Patterns: DinnerHeavier dinner if lunch is light◦Appetizer, soup, entrée, vegetables, dessert◦Potatoes

If heavier lunch, lighter dinner◦ Informal◦Convenience foods◦ Italian foods

3 most common dishes in Swedish homes◦ Falun sausage, spaghetti with meat sauce, pizza

Milk, beer or wine◦Coffee or wine with dessert

EtiquetteEtiquetteFork in left hand and knife in rightSandwiches consumed with fork and knife◦Only bread eaten with hands

Keep hands above the table with wrists on edge

Pass dishes to the leftFinland: wait for host to initiate eatingNorway: male guest of honor is to thank

hosts on behalf of all guestsWine is always appreciated as a hostess gift

as it is expensive

Special OccasionsSpecial OccasionsConferences and meetingsMilk and coffee with sweets◦Cinnamon buns◦Open-faced sandwiches◦Fruit

Sandwich cakes◦Layers of bread and fillings◦Served mid-afternoon at events

Special Occasions: ChristmasSpecial Occasions: Christmas

From Advent to St. Canute’s Day on January 13

Sweden ◦December 13◦St. Lucia’s Day

Christmas Eve is the big meal

Special Occasions: Christmas in Special Occasions: Christmas in Norway Norway Rice porridge sprinkled with sugar and

cinnamonLutefisk◦Dried salt cod soaked in lye, then boiled

Pork ribs and sausages with cabbageDried lamb rib specialty with mashed

rutabagaCod or halibut with white sauce and green

peasBoiled potatoesCookies and cakes◦ Traditionally 7 types of sweets

Special Occasions: ChristmasSpecial Occasions: ChristmasChristmas Smörgåsbord in Sweden◦ 20 – 30 dishes◦Ham, herring

Denmark◦Roast duck, goose or pork with brown gravy◦Red cabbage and caramelized potatoes◦Rice pudding with whipped cream and hot cherry

sauceFinland◦Pickled herring and salmon, then ham◦Vegetable casseroles with potatoes, carrots, or

turnips◦Prunes, cookies, pies

Special Occasions: ChristmasSpecial Occasions: Christmas

Dozens of cookies◦Ginger and cloves

Tree hung with gingerbread figuresDeep-fried, brandy-flavored dough◦Klejner, klener, klenätter

Traditional holiday beverage◦Glögg◦Hot alcoholic punch

Special Occasions: MidsummerSpecial Occasions: Midsummer’’s s DayDayJune 24◦Swede’s Day in the US

Maypoles, bonfire, feastingSweden◦Boiled new potatoes and wild strawberries

Norway◦Rømmengrøt

Finland◦New potatoes with dill and smoked salmon

Adaptations of Food HabitsAdaptations of Food HabitsDiet did not change significantly3 meals a day ◦Dairy products◦Animal protein

Many Scandinavian foods adopted by Americans

Nutritional Status: IntakeNutritional Status: IntakeIn Finland◦40% obesity for women, almost 60% for men◦Somewhat lower for Denmark, Norway,

SwedenFinns◦High rates of heart disease, stroke,

alcoholism, depression, lactose intoleranceScandinavian Americans may be at

increased risk for CVD due to high fat, high cholesterol diet

CounselingCounselingLow context communicatorsHighly analyticalEmotions controlledSuperficiality and personal inquiries are

avoidedDanes are less formalDirect eye contactFirm, brief handshakeOther touching is reserved for friends and

relativesSickness considered a weaknessWill avoid talking about it