A Study of the Dietary Background and Nutriture of the Navajo Indian II. Dietary Pattern

Abstract
A description of the present-day diet of the Navajo is given. This is based on qualitative information accumulated from over 1200 Navajo individuals as to food production, storage, preservation and cooking methods. Inquiry was made as to eating habits, basic menus, frequency with which certain items are included in the diet and the sources of food by families. Purchase lists were obtained from trading posts and discussions were held with numerous informants working with the Navajo on the reservation. From the data it is apparent the Navajo has practically abandoned his primitive diet of wild game, Indian corn, wild berries, fruits and plants. He lives by combining homeproduced meat and a few other products with a variety of foodstuffs purchased from the trading posts. Examples of 20 edible wild plants were procured from one region. These are tabulated by Indian and English name and described briefly.