Red Paper
e-mail: extension.article@gmail.com
home loginsignup
International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development
NAAS Journal
International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development
Peer Reviewed Journal
We invite you to contribute Research Papers, Review Papers to the Journal

International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

2025, Vol. 8, Issue 7, Part D
Documentation of indigenous beliefs and practices related to food intake and food avoidance during pregnancy in Kangra and Una district of Himachal Pradesh

Anupriya, Raj Pathania, Madhur Katoch and Rohit Singh

Various indigenous practices and beliefs related to food intake or avoidance during pregnancy vary widely across different culture and regions. This study was aimed to compare the food intake and food avoidance practices in the selected districts and to document and validate the indigenous practices in Kangra and Una district of Himachal Pradesh. A total sample of 150 rural women (75 respondents from each district) was selected for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was prepared in Hindi for data collection. Door to door survey was conducted and data were collected through interview method. Consent was taken assurance was given to maintain confidentiality of the respondents. 30 ayurvedic doctors were consulted from both districts to validate the food consumed or avoided during pregnancy. Findings indicated that walnut and ghee were consumed by pregnant women in Kangra and Una districts respectively. Panjeeri/sundh was recommended in both of the districts. During pregnancy papaya and raw rice were avoided in both of the districts and doctors validate restriction of these food items as the craving of raw rice results in anemia reported by doctors and papaya was recommended to be avoided in the first trimester as it may lead to abortion/ miscarriage. Pregnant women followed these practices as a part of their cultural belief.
Pages : 244-248 | 1472 Views | 333 Downloads


International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development
How to cite this article:
Anupriya, Raj Pathania, Madhur Katoch, Rohit Singh. Documentation of indigenous beliefs and practices related to food intake and food avoidance during pregnancy in Kangra and Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Int J Agric Extension Social Dev 2025;8(7):244-248. DOI: 10.33545/26180723.2025.v8.i7d.2138
International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development
Call for book chapter