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Why would traditional diets at higher latitudes (away from the tropics) include more animal foods?

User Sarath TS
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Final answer:

Traditional diets in higher latitudes are more reliant on animal foods due to the limited availability of edible plants and the need for high caloric intake to survive in colder climates.

Step-by-step explanation:

Traditional diets at higher latitudes include more animal foods because the natural environment provides fewer edible plant options. In colder and often frigid climates, such as those found in northern Europe, or among the Eskimos, vegetation is sparse, and agricultural practices are limited due to short growing seasons. People living in these regions historically relied on a diet rich in meat and fish, which provided essential nutrients, high caloric content, and the fats necessary for survival in colder temperatures. Animal foods like meat have historically been a more stable and accessible food source in these environments compared to plant-based foods which grow abundantly in warmer, tropical climates.