Question

As cultures meet and influence one another, one way they change each other is by influencing food habits and diets. How did Pacific Island diets change after colonization?

Answer 1

Prior to colonization, people in the Pacific Islands often ate root crops like yams, sweet potatoes, and taro. Tree crops such as bananas, coconuts, and breadfruit also were common, and seafood played an important role. After European colonization, the Pacific Islands experienced an increase in the number of domesticated animals like sheep, cattle, and rabbits. Modern Western foods such as canned goods and soft drinks also appeared on many islands.