Food Avoidances during the Puerperium and Lactation in Tamilnad

Over a period of six months, 1200 women of 54 castes and 55 tribal women in Tamilnad (South India) were interviewed about food avoidances during the puerperium and lactation. Avoidances included meat, fish, eggs, buttermilk and curds, certain fruits, gourds, green vegetables, sweet potatoes and groundnuts. All abstentions were primarily conceived in the interest of the baby, to whom harmful influences would be transmitted through the breast milk.