Nutrition
Lettuce (96%);
Cucumber (96%);
Zucchini (95%), ;
Radish (95%);
Celery (95%);
Tomato (94%);
Watermelon (92%)
Water Content Source: University of Kentucky
We continue to eat more vegetables, even though their market value rises, and several of our agricultural activities are devoted to developing better methods for harvesting these crops.
By the same logic, we also avoid products that dehydrate the consumer, since due to dehydration we focus most of our attention on re-hydration. Therefore, certain food items are primarily used by the wealthy, and their presence is associated with power and richness. We use these items less frequently, and they remain tied to an air of exclusivity.
Foods that dehydrate:
Alcohol;
White Asparagus;
Cured Meats (high sodium);
Coffee;
Soy sauce;
Fried Foods;
Sugary Drinks
Source: Huffington Post
Another relevant point is the fact that while agriculture crops demand a high quantity of water to be produced, foods from animal origin take exponentially more. According to The Huffington Post, it takes 1,847 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. Thus, animal protein (aside from fish), is typically so expensive that we often consume it only during rare and special occasions.
Overall, Makokoans try to eat more sea vegetables, land vegetables, fish, less land based meat and fewer fried foods. The cheapest foods are typically pasta and bread. Therefore, obesity has decreased since junk food is less common, and frankly less available in Makoko, but it is also harder to build muscle, since protein sources are scarce.