What provided the bulk of necessary nutrition in the historical Greenlandic diet?
Answer
Seals, whales, and walruses
The historical cornerstone of the Greenlandic diet was centered entirely on the ocean's bounty, specifically marine mammals. Seals, whales, and walruses were the primary providers of sustenance because they yielded the massive caloric density required for survival in the harsh climate. These animals supplied the critical fats necessary for insulating the body and maintaining heat regulation against the extreme cold, making them the dominant source of nutrition before modern dietary shifts.
Related Questions
How is the traditional Greenlandic food *Mattak* typically consumed?What provided the bulk of necessary nutrition in the historical Greenlandic diet?Why was the high-fat profile of the historical Greenlandic diet beneficial?What components are utilized in the preparation of the fermented delicacy *Kiviak*?Where is the seal carcass containing the auk birds left to ferment for *Kiviak* preparation?What ingredient is often used to thicken the broth of the traditional meal *Suaasat*?Which terrestrial animals were essential supplementary sources of sustenance alongside marine life?What health issue has been linked to the shift away from the high-fat traditional diet?Besides fermentation, what other methods were used to preserve large hauls of meat?What aspect of Greenlandic identity is tied to the ability to provide traditional meats?