Effect of meal type on specific dynamic action in the green shore crab,Carcinus maenas

The effect of meal type on specific dynamic action was investigated in the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas. When the crabs were offered a meal of fish, shrimp, or mussel of 3 % of their body mass the duration of the SDA response and thus the resultant SDA was lower for the mussel, compared with the shrimp or fish meals. In feeding behaviour experiments the crabs consumed almost twice as much mussel compared with fish or shrimp. When the animals were allowed to feed on each meal until satiated, the differences in the SDA response were abolished. The mussel was much softer (compression test) than the fish or shrimp meal, and meal texture is known to affect the SDA response in amphibians and reptiles. When the crabs were offered a meal of homogenized fish muscle or whole fish muscle, the SDA for the homogenized meal was approximately 35 % lower. This suggested that a significant portion of the SDA budget in decapod crustaceans may be related to mechanical digestion. This is not unexpected since the foregut is supplied by over forty muscles which control the cutting and grinding movements of the gastric mill apparatus. There were slight, but significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and total energy content of each meal type. Three prepared meals that were high in either protein, lipid or carbohydrate were offered to the crabs to determine if the nutrient content was also a contributing factor to the observed differences in the SDA. The crabs did not eat the prepared meals as readily as the natural food items and as they are messy feeders there was a large variation in the amount of food eaten. The lack of significant differences in the SDA response as a function of nutrient content was likely due to differences in amount of food eaten, which is a major factor determining the SDA response. The differences in SDA when consuming natural food items were likely due to a combination of the costs of mechanical digestion, variation in nutrient content and food preference: determining how each of these factors contributes to the overall SDA budget remains a pressing question for comparative physiologists.     

Mercury Concentration in Breast Milk and Infant Exposure Assessment During the First 90 Days of Lactation in a Midwestern Region of Brazil

Breast milk samples collected from 18 nursing mothers between the 15th and 90th day of lactation were digested in nitric acid in a microwave, and total mercury (THg) levels were quantified by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Participants responded to a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire on the 74th and 76th day of lactation and to a Food Frequency Questionnaire querying the frequency of fish intake over the last 90 days. Usual intake was estimated using the PC-SIDE software package. A meal of fish was offered on the 75th day of lactation. Mothers’ individual mean THg levels ranged from <0.76 to 22.7 ng/mL during the period, and the mean level for all samples (n?=?142) was 6.47?±6.04 ng/mL. The multilevel mixed linear model used showed high heterogeneity of the mercury levels among the mothers, and THg levels did not change significantly over the period under study. However, a significant increase in THg levels was observed after the intervention with the fish meal. Exposure increased for most infants on the 90th day of lactation, with intakes exceeding the THg provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) at least once during the period for 77.8 % of samples. Mothers consumed mostly food from the fat and grain groups, and a significant correlation was detected between consumption of food of these groups and breast milk THg levels (p?=?0.006 and 0.007). A significant correlation was also found between vegetable consumption and carbohydrate intake and THg levels in the samples (p?=?0.015 and 0.045, respectively). No correlation was found between mothers’ daily fish consumption frequency and THg levels. Although this study showed that mercury intake by infants during lactation may exceed the toxicologically safe exposure level (PTWI), we nevertheless believe that the benefits of lactation for both the mother and the infant outweigh the eventual risks that this exposure may represent.     

Pterocladia (Rhodophyta) and Ulva (Chlorophyta) as feed supplements for European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax L., fry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of two marine macroalgae, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) and Pterocladia capillacea (Rhodophyta), meals as a supplement to enhance the nutritional value of formulated feeds for European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax fry. Seven isoproteic (50 % crude protein), isocaloric (500 Kcal/100 g gross energy) diets containing four levels (0 or control, 5, 10, and 15 %) of either Ulva meal (UM) or Pterocladia meal (PM) were tested. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of D. labrax fry (initial body weight, 0.23?±?0.02 g for Ulva- and 0.14?±?0.01 g for Pterocladia-fed fish), to apparent visual satiety for 8 weeks. The results indicated that feeding seabass at 5 % UM or PM level (U₅ and P₅ diets) produced the best growth, feed utilization, nutrient retention, and survival rates among all the dietary groups. Feeding fish with a 5 % PM-added diet has also improved stress response after a 5-min air exposure test, prior to the termination of the feeding trial. These findings suggest that both Pterocladia and Ulva meals could be potentially used as an additional feed component (at 5 %) for enhancement of seabass D. labrax fry performance, nutrients composition, and stress resistance especially when subjected to transportation from hatchery to weaning ponds/tanks.     

Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The effect of partial or total dietary substitution of fishmeal (FM) by vegetal protein sources on growth and feed efficiency was carried out in on-growing gilthead sea bream (mean initial weight 131 g). The Control diet (FM 100) contained FM as the primary protein source, while in Diets FM 25 and FM 0 the FM protein was replaced at 75% and 100%, respectively, by a vegetable protein mixture consisting of wheat gluten, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and crystalline amino acids. Diets FM 25 and FM 0 also contained krill meal at 47 g/kg in order to improve palatability. At the end of the trial (after 158 d), fish survival was above 90%. Final weight and the specific growth rate were statistically lower in fish fed the Control diet (361 g and 0.64%/d), compared with 390–396 g and 0.69–0.70%/d after feeding vegetal diets. No significant differences were found regarding feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The digestibility of protein and amino acids (determined with chromium oxide as indicator) was similar in all diets. The blood parameters were not significantly affected by treatments. The activity of trypsin and pepsin was significantly reduced after feeding Diet FM 0. In the distal intestine, the villi length in fish fed Diet FM 25 was significantly longer and the intestine of the fish fed the FM 100 diet showed a smaller number of goblet cells. In conclusion, a total FM substitution by a vegetal mix supplemented with synthetic amino acids in on-growing sea bream is feasible.     

The first insight into black soldier fly meal in brown trout nutrition as an environmentally sustainable fish meal replacement

Insect meals are considered among the most promising feed materials in fish nutrition due to their sustainability and possibility of fish meal replacement. The present study is the first application of full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal in brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) diets. Two experiments were performed on 240 brown trout fingerlings (average body mass 4.85 g) distributed into four groups (12 tanks for the growth performance experiment, 10 fish/tank; and 12 metabolic tanks for the digestibility test, 10 fish/tank). The experimental group design was conducted as follows: control diet, with no BSFL and 35% fish meal, and experimental diets: BSFL5 – with 5% BSFL full-fat meal and 32.5% fish meal; BSFL10 – with 10% BSFL full-fat meal and 30% fish meal; and BSFL20 – with 20% BSFL full-fat meal and 25% fish meal. No effects were recorded in the case of growth performance and feed utilization parameters. The environmental sustainability of the usage of insect meals in fish diets was proven – due to the lower fish meal inclusion, the fish-in-fish-out ratio decreased by 31% in BSFL20. In the case of the viscerosomatic index, increases in BSFL5 and BSFL20 were reported. In all experimental groups, decreases in hepatosomatic index values were observed. Crude protein digestibility decreased in BSFL5 and BSFL20, while crude fat digestibility decreased only in the BSFL20 group. The effect of including BSFL full-fat meal in a brown trout diet on serum biochemical parameters was reported. The aspartate transaminase concentration increased in BSFL10 and BSFL20, while the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase values decreased in BSFL20. In the case of total cholesterol, higher values were observed in BSFL10 and BSFL20. The albumin content decreased in the BSFL20 group, while globulin showed the highest values in the control group. The microbiota composition was not affected by insect meal inclusion. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed the high potential of BSFL full-fat meal application of up to 20% in a brown trout diet.     

Incidence of Salmonellae in Animal Feed and the Effect of Pelleting on Content of Enterobacteriaceae

During a survey of meat and bone meals, fish meals and poultry feeds salmonellae were found only in samples of meat and bone meal, for which 19% were Salmonella -positive. MPN estimations on 2 meat and bone meal samples gave figures of 6 and 39 salmonellae/ 100 g, respectively. Sampling of poultry feed before and after pelleting showed that this process gave up to 1000-fold reduction in numbers of Enterobacteriaceae depending on the type of processing involved.     

Gastric pH Distribution and Mixing of Soft and Rigid Food Particles in the Stomach using a Dual-Marker Technique

Mixing of a particle-laden material during peristaltic flow in the stomach has not been quantified in vivo. Gastric mixing plays a key role in the digestion process; it determines the availability of acid and enzymes to individual food particles and controls the length of time particles will spend in the antral region, where they are subjected to mechanical breakdown from antral contraction waves. Solid particle mixing has been quantified using a dual-indigestible marker technique (TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃) in soft (cooked brown and white rice) and rigid (raw and roasted almonds) particle meals fed to growing pigs. All meals consisted of two portions. Each portion was separately marked by one of the two indigestible markers, and the portions were sequentially fed to the pigs. At time periods ranging from 20 to 720 min after completion of the meal, ten intragastric chyme samples were taken from each pig to determine the marker concentration and pH value. Gastric pH was not homogeneous throughout the stomach and varied over time, with differences observed between soft and rigid meals (p?<?0.0001). The total percentage of each meal that was mixed was calculated using a statistically-based mixing index (M). White rice had the greatest amount of mixing, becoming 94 % mixed after 480 min of digestion compared to 72 % mixing for brown rice. Rigid particles underwent a slower mixing process and only arrived at 65 and 71 % mixing after 720 min for raw and roasted almonds, respectively. Meal composition plays a role in the overall meal mixing during gastric digestion.     

The IMTA-cultivated Chlorophyta Ulva spp. as a sustainable ingredient in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets

Increasing levels of a mixture of Ulva spp. produced in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system were evaluated in Nile tilapia juveniles for partial replacement of dietary fish meal. A control diet (CTRL) was compared with three experimental diets containing 10 % (U10), 15 % (U15), and 20 % (U20) of Ulva spp. meal. Triplicate groups of fish (13 g initial body weight) were fed each diet for 63 days at 26 °C. Nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients and nitrogen retention efficiency did not vary significantly among diets. By the end of the trial, all groups of fish more than tripled their initial body weight. Specific growth rate and final body weight of U10 diet were similar to CTRL and significantly higher than U15 and U20 diets. Increasing Ulva dietary incorporation levels significantly increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), from 1.0 (CTRL) to 1.4 (U20). Fish fed with U10 diet had the highest protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen retention efficiency allowing this fish to growth and reach a final body weight similar to the CTRL group. Protein content was highest in fish fed with the CTRL diet, whereas the highest lipid content was observed in fish fed with U20 diet. The results show that the incorporation of IMTA-produced Ulva meal in Nile tilapia diets is possible up to 10 % without compromising growth performance, protein utilization, and protein retention of juveniles. The high capacity of Nile tilapia to digest all experimental diets suggests that Ulva meal is a practical partial replacement for fish meal in Nile tilapia diets.     

The individual and combined effects of glycemic index and protein on glycemic response, hunger, and energy intake

Although high protein and low glycemic index (GI) foods are thought to promote satiety, little is known about the effects of GI, protein, and their interaction on hunger and energy intake several hours following a mixed meal. This study investigated the long term effects of GI, protein, and their combined effects on glucose, insulin, hunger, and energy intake in healthy, sedentary, overweight, and obese adults (BMI of 30.9 ± 3.7 kg/m²). Sixteen individuals participated separately in four testing sessions after an overnight fast. The majority (75%) were non‐Hispanic Blacks. Each consumed one of four breakfast meals (high GI/low protein, high GI/high protein, low GI/low protein, low GI/high protein) in random order. Visual analog scales (VAS) and blood samples were taken at baseline, 15 min, and at 30 min intervals over 4 h following the meal. After 4 h, participants were given the opportunity to consume food ad libitum from a buffet style lunch. Meals containing low GI foods produced a smaller glucose (P < 0.002) and insulin (P = 0.0001) response than meals containing high GI foods. No main effects for protein or interactions between GI and protein were observed in glucose or insulin responses, respectively. The four meals had no differential effect on observed energy intake or self‐reported hunger, satiety, and prospective energy intake. Low GI meals produced the smallest postprandial increases in glucose and insulin. There were no effects for GI, protein, or their interaction on appetite or energy intake 4 h after breakfast.     

Sources of Blood Meals of Sylvatic Triatoma guasayana near Zurima,Bolivia, Assayed with qPCR and 12S Cloning

Background

In this study we compared the utility of two molecular biology techniques, cloning of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene and hydrolysis probe-based qPCR, to identify blood meal sources of sylvatic Chagas disease insect vectors collected with live-bait mouse traps (also known as Noireau traps). Fourteen T. guasayana were collected from six georeferenced trap locations in the Andean highlands of the department of Chuquisaca, Bolivia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We detected four blood meals sources with the cloning assay: seven samples were positive for human (Homo sapiens), five for chicken (Gallus gallus) and unicolored blackbird (Agelasticus cyanopus), and one for opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Using the qPCR assay we detected chicken (13 vectors), and human (14 vectors) blood meals as well as an additional blood meal source, Canis sp. (4 vectors).

Conclusions/Significance

We show that cloning of 12S PCR products, which avoids bias associated with developing primers based on a priori knowledge, detected blood meal sources not previously considered and that species-specific qPCR is more sensitive. All samples identified as positive for a specific blood meal source by the cloning assay were also positive by qPCR. However, not all samples positive by qPCR were positive by cloning. We show the power of combining the cloning assay with the highly sensitive hydrolysis probe-based qPCR assay provides a more complete picture of blood meal sources for insect disease vectors.     

Food insecurity is not associated with lower energy intakes

We examined the association between food insecurity and total daily energy intakes in American men and women. We estimated the number of daily snacks and meals consumed by individuals in different food security categories. Also, we calculated the energy contribution, energy density, and food group sources of those snacks and meals. Using the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined the Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) and dietary information from the 24-h recall. Differences in energy intakes between groups were not significant. Women who were food insecure without hunger (FIWOH) and food insecure with hunger (FIWH) had significantly fewer meals than food secure (FS) women. The energy contribution of each meal and the total energy contributed from snacking were both significantly greater for FIWOH women than for FS women. The number of meals was significantly lower whereas the daily number of snacking occasions and the total energy from snacking were significantly increased for FIWOH men relative to FS men. FIWOH men consumed snack foods that had significantly lower energy density than those consumed by FS men. Among men and women, the major sources of meal energy were the grain group, the meat, poultry, and fish group, and the sugar, sweets, and beverages group whereas the major source of snacking energy was the sugar, sweets, and beverages group. Total energy intakes were not different for FI individuals; however, their meal and snack behaviors were different. Focusing solely on total energy intake would miss important consequences of food insecurity.     

Some observations of the effects of body weight, temperature, meal size and quality on gastric emptying time in the turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.) using radiography

The gastric emptying time (G.E.T.) in turbot was investigated using X-radiography and was found to decrease with temperature. Small fish processed a given ration, expressed as percent body weight, faster than large fish (G.E.T. was found to be proportional to (fish weight)^0.364). Large meals in a given fish were processed at a faster rate than small meals. Gastric emptying rate (G.E.R.) was found to be proportional to (meal size g)^0.613 at 8° C and (meal size g)^0.788 at 19° C. These exponents are in agreement with a recently proposed model relating G.E.T. and G.E.R. to meal size (Fänge & Grove, 1978). Large fish emptied a meal of given absolute size from the stomach at a faster rate (g h⁻¹) than small fish. Experimental meals diluted with kaolin were evacuated in significantly less time than a control diet, suggesting that turbot may adjust feeding rates when food quality varies.     

Effect of water temperature,feeding frequency,and protein percent in the diet on water quality,growth and behavior of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

This study evaluated how water temperature (26, 28, and 30°C), number of meals per day (one or two meals), and protein percent in diet (20, 25 and 30%) impact growth performance, biometric indices, and feeding behavior of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were randomly allocated into 18 equal replicate groups. Higher final body weight was observed in fish reared at 30°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% crude protein. Better weight gain, weight gain %, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, and condition factor were recorded in fish reared at 26°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% protein. The best length weight relationship was obtained in fish reared at 26°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% crude protein. Shorter feeding duration and duration of appetite inhibition latency were recorded in fish reared at 30°C, fed one meal per day, and given a diet containing 30% protein. The highest proactivity was recorded in fish reared at 30°C, received one meal per day, and with 25% crude protein in their diet. Conclusively, rearing Nile tilapia at 26–30°C with a lower feeding frequency (one meal/day) and a 30% crude protein diet achieved better performance and feeding behavior.     

Intakes of whey protein hydrolysate and whole whey proteins are discriminated by LC–MS metabolomics

Whey protein improves fasting lipids and insulin response in overweight and obese individuals. Whey hydrolysate was recently shown to be more active than whole protein but the differences in metabolite profiles after intake remain unknown. This study discriminates plasma profiles after intake of four different whey protein fractions and establishes new hypotheses for the observed effects. Obese, non-diabetic subjects were included in the randomized, blinded, cross-over meal study. Subjects ingested a high-fat meal containing whey isolate (WI), whey concentrate hydrolysate (WH), α-lactalbumin or caseinoglycomacropeptide as the protein source. Plasma samples were collected at five time points and metabolites analysed using LC–Q-TOF–MS. Plasma concentrations of ten amino acids (AAs) were different between the meals. The plasma levels of AAs and AA derivatives were generally directly related to the AA composition of the meals. Highly elevated plasma levels of a number of cyclic dipeptides and other AA metabolites were found following intake of the WH meal and these metabolites are primary candidates to explain the superior insulinotropic effect of WH. The manufacturing process of WH caused oxidization of methionine to methionine sulfoxide which in turn caused in vivo generation of N-phenylacetyl-methionine and N-phenylacetyl-methionine sulfoxide. These two compounds have not previously been described in biological systems.     

Mercury in Scalp Hair Near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) in Relation to High Fish Consumption

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential risk of mercury contamination near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge relating total mercury (THg) concentrations in the human scalp hair (n?=?110) and high fish consumption levels. THg was quantified in human scalp hair, and volunteers were questioned about age, gender, and smoking habits being subsequently grouped in categories based on the individual average intake of fish meals per week. THg concentrations ([THg]) in hair samples ranged from 0.05 to 2.24 μg g^?1, and significant differences were found according to age (p?<?0.05) and also among volunteers presenting different fish consumption rates (p?<?0.001) being the highest [THg] observed on the adult population and also on volunteers that indicated consuming five or more meals of fish per week. Results indicate a pattern of increased mercury accumulation with increasing fish consumption. Despite mercury availability and a potential mercury intake of up to seven times, the WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake of mercury value, in consequence of high fish consumption, mercury concentrations in scalp hair are comparatively low regarding recommended levels by WHO.     

Effect of Different Animal Protein Sources on Growth and Nutrient Utilization of Guppy, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poecilia reticulata</Emphasis> Fingerlings

Based on the nutrient requirement of guppy, Poecilia reticulata fingerlings as reported earlier, nine experimental diets with 300 g protein, 100 g lipid and 16.72 MJ digestible energy/kg diet were formulated using snail meat (D-1), freshwater fish processing waste (D-2), surimi by-product (D-3), chicken offal (D-4), earthworm (D-5), squid (D-6), mussel (T-7), chicken liver (T-8) and lean prawn (T-9) as major protein source in addition to fish meal and peanut oil cake and fed ad libitum to the fish (0.27 ± 0.01 g) for a period of 60 days. Twenty-seven indoor circular fiber-reinforced plastic tanks (10 fish/tank) with 40 L of water were used for rearing the fish. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the guppy fed surumi by-product, squid, mussel and lean prawn meal diets had significantly higher (p < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio and lowest (p < 0.05) food conversion ratio than the snail, freshwater fish processing waste, chicken offal, earthworm and chicken liver meal diets and therefore, these four could be used as dietary protein source in formulating the diets for guppy. However, to formulate the cost-effective diets for guppy fingerlings, the use surimi by-product is suggested as it is being discarded as waste material and therefore, available free of cost.     

Concentration of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Calcium, and Magnesium in the Serum,Tissues, and Urine of Streptozotocin-Induced Mild Diabetic Rat Model

A survey carried out in Lake Tana in 2015 found that Hg levels in some fish species exceeded internationally accepted safe levels for fish consumption. The current study assesses human exposure to Hg through fish consumption around the Lake Tana. Of particular interest was that a dietary intake of fishes is currently a health risk for Bihar Dar residents and anglers. Hair samples were collected from three different groups: anglers, college students and teachers, and daily laborers. A questionary includes gender, age, weight, activity. Frequency of fish consumption and origin of the eaten fish were completed by each participant. Mercury concentrations in hair were significantly higher (P value <0.05) for anglers (mean?±?standard deviation 0.120?±?0.199 μg/g) than college students (mean?±?standard deviation 0.018?±?0.039 μg/g) or daily workers (mean?±?standard deviation 16?±?9.5 ng/g). Anglers consumed fish more often than daily workers and college group. Moreover, there was also a strong correlation (P value <0.05) between the logarithms of total mercury and age associated with mercury concentration in scalp hair. Mercury concentrations in the hair of men were on average twice the value of the women. Also, users of skin lightening soap on a daily basis had 2.5 times greater mercury in scalp hair than non-users. Despite the different sources of mercury exposure mentioned above, the mercury concentrations of the scalp hair of participants of this study were below levels deemed to pose a threat to health.     

Formulating rations with cassava meal to promote high live weight gain in crossbred Limousin bulls

Formulating rations with high energy and protein feeds such as cassava and locally sourced protein meals is an important strategy to increase live weight gain (LWG) of crossbred bulls in Indonesia. Current systems of production for Indonesian smallholders fatten bulls using cut and carry. Formulating a diet for an optimal combination of available feeds will increase production and potential profitability for smallholders. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using cassava meal in the diet at levels of 70C, 60C, 50C, 40C and 30C% (with most of the remainder being the protein meals) on the LWG of Limousin × Ongole bulls so as to determine the optimum combination of cassava meal and protein meals for LWG. Thirty bulls were allocated in a completely randomized block design with 6 blocks based on initial live weight (LW) and 5 treatments based on level of cassava meal. The combination of cassava meal (with 2% urea) and protein meals significantly affected LWG with the highest (1.35 kg/day) recorded at 40C (40% cassava meal, 40% protein meals and 20% maize stover). The LWG and nutrient intake increased curvilinearly with decreasing cassava meal and increasing protein meals (P < 0.05). Measured cassava meal inclusion in the final ration as a consequence of the changes in intake was 60, 56, 47, 37 and 28% for the designated 70C, 60C, 50C, 40C and 30C treatments, respectively. Dry matter intake reached 96 g/kg^0.75 per day or equal to 2.24% LW at this 40% level of inclusion. At the 70C treatment with 60% cassava meal and 9% protein meals, DM digestibility (69.1%) was lowest and that value increased as the proportion of cassava meal decreased and was highest at the 40C treatment (75.8%). Feed treatments significantly affected rumen pH, ammonia N (NH₃N) and volatile fatty acid concentrations (P < 0.05). There was no significant effect on protozoal population (P > 0.05). Rumen pH ranged from 6.3 to 6.9. It was concluded that a combination of 40% dried cassava meal and 40% protein meals with roughage (20%) maximized intake and LWG and beyond that level of cassava meal inclusion, LWG and intake decreased markedly.     

Innate food aversions and culturally transmitted food taboos in pregnant women in rural southwest India: Separate systems to protect the fetus?

Pregnancy increases women's nutritional requirements, yet causes aversions to nutritious foods. Most societies further restrict pregnant women's diet with food taboos. Pregnancy food aversions are theorized to protect mothers and fetuses from teratogens and pathogens or increase dietary diversity in response to resource scarcity. Tests of these hypotheses have had mixed results, perhaps because many studies are in Westernized populations with reliable access to food and low exposure to pathogens. If pregnancy food aversions are adaptations, however, then they likely evolved in environments with uncertain access to food and high exposure to pathogens. Pregnancy food taboos, on the other hand, have been theorized to limit resource consumption, mark social identity, or also protect mothers and fetuses from dangerous foods. There have been few tests of evolutionary theories of culturally transmitted food taboos.We investigated these and other theories of psychophysiological food aversions and culturally transmitted food taboos among two non-Western populations of pregnant women in Mysore, India, that vary in food insecurity and exposure to infectious disease. The first was a mixed caste rural farming population (N = 72), and the second was the Jenu Kurubas, a resettled population of former hunter-gatherers (N = 30). Women rated their aversions to photos of 31 foods and completed structured interviews that assessed aversions and socially learned avoidances of foods, pathogen exposure, food insecurity, sources of culturally acquired dietary advice, and basic sociodemographic information. Aversions to spicy foods were associated with early trimester and nausea and vomiting, supporting a protective role against plant teratogens. Variation in exposure to pathogens did not explain variation in meat aversions or avoidances, however, raising some doubts about the importance of pathogen avoidance. Aversions to staple foods were common, but were not associated with resource stress, providing mixed support for the role of dietary diversification. Avoided foods outnumbered aversive foods, were believed to be abortifacients or otherwise harmful to the fetus, influenced diet throughout pregnancy, and were largely distinct from aversive foods. These results suggest that aversions target foods with cues of toxicity early in pregnancy, and taboos target suspected abortifacients throughout pregnancy.