San Antonio College Library

A 13-part series that explores the way in which the exchange of foods between the old and new worlds as a result of Columbus's voyages changed the way people ate.

"This inescapably controversial study envisions, defines, and theorizes an area that Laura Wright calls vegan studies. We have an abundance of texts on vegans and veganism including works of advocacy, literary and popular fiction, film and television, and cookbooks, yet until now, there has been no study that examines the social and cultural discourses shaping our perceptions of veganism as an identity category and social practice. Ranging widely...

In this first episode, Jacques Peretti traces those responsible for revolutionizing our eating habits to find out how decisions made in America 40 years ago influence the way we eat today. The story of how high-fructose corn syrup has found its way into almost all processed foods and soft drinks and how fast food chains championed the idea of snacking between meals is examined. (47 minutes).

A simple introduction to why people need food and how they obtain it.

Discusses why beliefs vary on what is good and what is bad to eat. Food taboos tell us much about society, and they change only as quickly as society does. War and famine, which change societies drastically, are perhaps the strongest motivators for change in which foods are considered acceptable to eat. Why do we prefer sweet to bitter foods? Why do we find certain foods repellant? The reaction of disgust toward a particular food is based on our knowledge...

"When Christopher Columbus stumbled upon America in 1492, the Italians had no pasta with tomato sauce, the Chinese had no spicy Szechuan cuisine, and the Aztecs in Mexico were eating tacos filled with live insects instead of beef. In this lively, always surprising history of the world through a gourmet's eyes, Raymond Sokolov explains how all of us -- Europeans, Americans, Africans, and Asians -- came to eat what we eat today. He journeys with the...

It has become popular to blame the American obesity epidemic and many other health-related problems on processed food. Many of these criticisms are valid for some processed-food items, but many statements are overgeneralizations that unfairly target a wide range products that contribute to our health and well-being. In addition, many of the proposed dangers allegedly posed by eating processed food are exaggerations based on highly selective views...

"CONSEQUENCES examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese. CHOICES offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain. CHILDREN IN CRISIS documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation's children. Through individual stories, this film describes how the strong forces at work in our society...

The ways of life of four great ancient civilizations--Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Celtic--are illuminated here through their foodways. As these cultures moved toward settled agriculture, a time of experimentation and learning began. Cities emerged, and with them consumer societies that needed to be supplied. The book draws on writings of classical authors such as Petronius, Galen, and Cato as well as archeological findings to present insight into...

"Food and cuisine are important subjects for historians across many areas of study. Food is after all one of the most basic human needs and a foundational part of social and cultural histories. Such topics as famines, food supply, nutrition, and public health are addressed by historians throughout every era and spanning every nation. Food in Time and Place delivers an unprecedented review of the state of historical research on food, endorsed by the...