They say we are what we eat. But for many modern people, that might not be the healthiest news! Photographer Gregg Segal decided to document children around the globe with their usual meals, and the results were fascinating, educational, and visually stunning!
Over three years, he traveled the world and compiled a book called Daily Bread: What Kids Eat Around the World. Which country promotes the healthiest habits at the earliest age? Who has the most delicious kids menu on the planet?
Read on to compare the yummiest local diets of kids worldwide, McDonald's not allowed!
Kawakanih Yawalapiti, 9, Upper Xingu Region Of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Kawakanih Yawalapiti is just your average rain forest gal, a member of the Yawalapiti tribe. Their preserve in the Amazonian Basin hosts a village surrounded by cattle ranches. But they keep on keepin' on, as usual. When Kawakanih not practicing to keep her tribe's endangered language alive, fishing and harvesting tapioca, or splashing around in the river, she munches on lunches.
Local meals are very simple, actually. Fish, fruit, tapioca, and nuts are typically on the list. When members of the tribe are hungry, they take a five-minute trip to catch their lunch in the river with a net! Yum, is that piranha?
Anchal Sahani, 10, Chembur, Mumbai, India
Anchal resides in a little tin shack at a construction site near Mumbai in a family of 5. Her dad makes less than five bucks a day. Can the Sahani family afford to enjoy delicious meals on such a basic budget?
Indeed, mom can easily prepare okra and cauliflower curry, along with lentils and traditional homemade Indian bread. Frankly. This sounds like a popular restaurant on Yelp! But for Anchal, it's no big deal at all. They say variety is the spice of life, but it seems this family lives life with a variety of spices! Delicious, nutritious, just India.
Davi Ribeiro De Jesus, 12, Brasilia, Brazil
Davi Ribeiro de Jesus lives a very different lifestyle in Brazil than the indigenous rain forest people. But his family also lives very modestly, in what locals call a ''favela". Sadly, that means a slum, and this one is near a dump! What is Davi able to eat in his cramped, one-room house?
Davi’s stepmother cooks, and beans and rice are often on the menu. Pork bits, fried eggs, pasta, and porridge are also options that frequently make it to the table. The one thing he says he hates is bitter legumes! But generally, he's not a picky boy.
Ademilson Francisco Dos Santos, 11, Vão De Almas, Goiás, Brazil
Ademilson Francisco dos Santos lives in a small town setting with around 300 other families, but it's pretty remote. To get to the next town, unpaved mountainous roads and rivers are part of a 200 km journey to visit! What's going on in Vão de Almas, in terms of cuisine these days?
Ademilson Francisco helps his father farm and collect local plants, and the family feasts on a variety of crops and fruits: Rice, cassava, squash, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, okra, gherkin, orange, lemon, jiló, watermelon, coffee, sugar cane, buriti, mango, mangaba, pequi, coco indaiá, caju, and more!
Meissa Ndiaye, 11, Dakar, Senegal
Meissa Ndiaye lives in Senegal, sharing a single room with mom, dad, and brother in a sandy Dakar suburb. Their home is right near the open-air market, and it's common to see hundreds of stalls selling all that villagers may need. Fish, dresses, produce — it's all quite close by!
This Muslim area sacrifices goats for various holidays and that meat is eaten with porridge. But on a regular day, Meissa likes to eat French bread stuffed with various fillings: fried potatoes, spaghetti, or peas. And a few times a week, the family buys local take out!
Hank Segal, 8, Altadena, California
Onto America, and diets that vary from coast to coast! Little Hank Segal lives in Altadena, CA. And what does he eat in this fresh state with longtime Latin culinary influences?
Outside of Los Angeles. Hank and his family actually grow some of heir own produce. And it's truly impressive, for one American property: Sun gold cherry tomatoes, zucchini, artichokes, spinach, yams, pomegranates, watercress, snap peas, herbs, Serrano chili peppers, and a variety of fruits cycle through the Segal household. But Hank's favorite smell in the kitchen? He says it's still melted butter and garlic!
Beryl Oh Jynn, 8, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Beryl Oh Jynn lives in the capital of Malaysia in a quiet condominium. What do her parents prepare for her and two siblings on an average day?
At an early age, she ate a lot of porridge and cake. These days, her favorite meal is spaghetti carbonara, but she also eats healthy veggies like bok choy and spinach straight from her city balcony garden! Sadly, she is not allowed to drink soda. And she hates ginger, at least for now. An acquired taste, perhaps!
Sira Cissokho, 11 Yrs Old, Tambacounda, Dakar
Sira is one of nine children, and she says she doesn't always get enough to eat at the moment. When does enjoy a hearty meal on a special occasion, her mom likes to make chicken. In fact, it's her favorite food!
On a daily basis, the family eats peanuts and grain available from their own garden. Millet is often on the menu, and she already knows how to cook a local porridge using this ingredient. Impressive, Sira!
Rosalie Durand, 10, Nice, France
Rosalie lives in France, specifically in the beautiful southern city of Nice. Her parents are divorced, split between the Mediterranean region and the Alps. Likewise, her cuisine varies back and forth!
Rosalie's father happens to own a restaurant and has taught her about healthy local eating. Her diet includes lentils, salads, and fresh fish, like sardines. But she also enjoys classic French sausages and crepes, from time to time! Sadly, she hates ratatouille. Despite its traditional place in French homes, Rosalie doesn't approve!
Adveeta Venkatesh, 10 Years Old, Mumbai, India
Adveeta lives in Mumbai, as an only child with her grandmother and parents in a large apartment with a view. Mom and dad are scientists working much of the time, but there is always something delicious, hot, and vegetarian when they come home!
At the meal, Adveeta prays with gratitude for the food. Electronics are banned, and it's family time! South Indian cuisine in the house includes dosas with yogurt and spicy chutney, a specialty dish around the world at this point. But in India, it's just a normal meal!
June Grosser, 8, Hamburg, Germany
And now, to Germany. Young June Grosser lives in Hamburg, and her favorite food is classic schnitzel. She says she doesn't like curry or truffles, but there is a new taste she has learned to tolerate recently. That is broccoli, of course!
According to June, she is full after her meals. But it seems her hunger returns pretty fast! Maybe curry will be more appetizing someday, but roasted chicken, pasta, pizza, and other Western kid-friendly staples provide plenty of yums for now. Understandable, June!
Leona “Nona” Del Grosso Sands, 6, Glendale, Ca
Lil' Nona live in Cali as well, but this trip is in Glendale today. Right now, life involves an apartment with her mom, cat, and a giant tomato plant she is growing the size of a small tree. What does mom make, and what does Nona make in the kitchen?
The youngster knows how to make oatmeal and pancakes, actually. When mom was sick, these skills sure came in handy! On a regular day, Nona is forced to eat her veggies. This includes broccoli! Truthfully, she enjoys all kinds of sweets most of all. No surprises there, Nona.
Andrea Testa, 9, Catania, Italy
Andrea spends his time in Italy these days, as many people wish they could! Naturally, he has access to all kinds of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. What does he prefer, though?
Mom does the cooking in this house, and she often makes his favorite dish: pasta carbonara with extra bacon. In terms of balanced meals, veggies are always a good idea. But for now, he says he is not a big fan of cauliflower. La Vita è Bella — never say never, Andrea!
Yusuf Abdullah Al Muhairi, 9, Mirdif, Dubai
Yusuf Abdullah lives in Dubai, a gem of the UAE. What does a child in this emirate eat for an average meal?
Yusuf’s mom actually came from Ireland for work as a chocolatier and pastry chef, then married a local man. His parents are divorced now, but he enjoys bonding with mom over cooking, He has learned how to make scrambled eggs and toast, all by himself so far. To be sure, he is a big fan of pizza, popcorn, and salmon. Many people only wish they could live with a professional chef, and Yusuf is living the dream!
Tharkish Sri Ganesh (10) And Mierra Sri Varrsha (8), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tharkish and Mierra also live in Malaysia, but in a public housing project in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur. Their building is full of friends and very lively all the time. Mom stays at home and alternates between home cooking and takeout. What does this menu include?
The kids have plenty of individual opinions on food, including dislikes. Mierra dislikes the smell of meat and prefers candies. Tharkish doesn’t like the taste of onions. But he loves Puttu, a local dessert consisting of layers of steamed ground rice, coconut, bananas, and palm sugar. Sounds delicious, Tharkish!
Siti Khaliesah Nataliea Muhamad Khairizal, 9, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Siti Khaliesah Nataliea Muhamad Khairizal is a long name in a very ceremonial family. In a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Siti and her 4 siblings recite the Du’a and silently eat meals that mom makes. What kind of dishes end up at this very formal table?
Siti’s favorite meal is spaghetti carbonara, which seems to be a theme around the world now! She says she also goes crazy for the smell of fried instant noodle bowls, which doesn't sound half bad. Chicken, lots of rice, and pizza are definitely on the menu, too. Bon appetit, Siti!
Greta Moeller, 7, Hamburg, Germany
Greta Moeller is a young Hamburg resident, and she searches for chestnuts at her grandma's house sometimes. Is that her favorite food, by chance?
No way! With fish sticks around who can resist a plate? And then there's the matter of mashed potatoes. Yes, please! Greta also loves cookies, donuts, and applesauce. And strawberries! But rice pudding? No dice. Greta has plenty of opinions about good and yucky foods, and her exploration continues. Gut luck, little frau!
Frank Fadel Agbomenou, 8, Dakar, Senegal
Frank Fadel is a boy in Senegal who loves to eat anything and everything. He just likes to eat, whether it's peanuts from the peanut tree at his house or local fish cooked just right. What about his sweet tooth? Surely he has a few favorites in that category, too!
Locally, mangos, bananas, melons and more are available for munching. And for a special occasion, Frank Fadel likes to break out the Nutella! Who doesn't, really?
Isaiah Dedrick, Long Beach, California
Isaiah Dedrick is a hip young man in modern Long Beach, California. With plenty of options at the American grocery store, he has really developed his palette! What are his favorite dishes, at this point?
Isaiah’s favorite meal is mouthwatering orange chicken and fried rice. Nice choice, there! He says also enjoys the smell of hot apples with cinnamon. But as far as serious sweets go, there is a household ban on soda. Healthy habits start early, and Isaiah has decided on his own he wants to eliminate further snacks in his diet. Way to go, Isaiah!
Cooper Norman, 10, Altadena, California
Cooper resides in Altadena, California with his working mom and dad. This boy is no picky eater, venturing into dim sum and Asian fusion without a blink. He loves his mom's home cooking since she originally comes from Thailand!
But food is varied, out in California homes. Cooper gets plenty of PB&J, pizza, and rice with beans. Takeout happens sometimes, and Jack in the Box is pretty popular all around. This child even enjoys sushi. Yes, raw fish! It's clear many culinary adventures are still ahead, but Cooper has a good running start so far.
John Hintze, 7, Hamburg, Germany
John also lives in Hamburg, and he enjoys an apartment with a garden in the suburbs. He describes himself as a human omnivore, which isn't a surprise to keen observers of the Germans. Today, that's pretty much everyone in sausage and potato loving Germany! John is certainly in good company over there.
But John does have more varied tastes than the average boy his age. He loves Musli, grandma’s roast, and Chinese curry with cashews! On the weekends, he washes that down with Orange Fanta. He is also beginning to prepare things himself, experimenting with fruit plates recently. Happy tasting, chef John!
Alexandra (9) And Jessica (8) Lewis, Altadena, California
Alexandra and Jessica also live in Altadena. Their yard is teeming with treats: blackberries, grapes, figs, peaches, guavas, mulberries, and more! And then, there's the chickens. Producing eggs constantly, these sisters have a lot to snack on right at home!
Jessica loves other things that don't grow so easily. Pizza with ham, sushi, and chocolate, for sure. Alex enjoys Hot Pockets and quesadillas, but her all-time favorite is definitely macaroni and cheese. Not on the menu? Brussels sprouts, but that's forgivable at this age. In fact, for some, it's lifetime no-no!
Paolo Mendolaro, 9, Belpaso, Sicily
Paolo is a Sicily child, the island that seems to have directly inspired a lot of well known Italian-American classics. Is that what he eats today, like one would expect?
Actually, that seems to be the case! Mom definitely makes time to prepare authentic Sicilian Cannolo or Pasta alla Norma. And Paolo loves pizza the most, which he is currently learning to perfect himself right at home. Once a week, the family goes out to eat. But a regular day in this house sounds like a culinary dream, too!
Henrico Valias Sant`anna De Souza Dantas, 10, Brasilia, Brazil
Henrico shows readers yet another side of Brazil, which is actually a very large and diverse nation. Today, he lives in a fancy suburb of Brasilia with his mother and siblings. Mom works in film and advertising, so who does the cooking?
It turns out to be a joint effort between mom, grandma, and the maid! Henrico loves Feijoada, a stew of black beans and pork with white rice, and a side of collard greens. He likes chocolate soufflé, Toblerone, and Nutella, too! Who doesn't, honestly? Even with juicy, local mangoes, that stuff remains irresistible to humans, Brazilian or not.
Daria Joy Cullen, 6, Pasadena, California
Daria Joy Cullen lives in Pasadena, California. She enjoys bacon, like so many Americans. She also likes pasta, popcorn drenched in butter, and milk chocolate. Plus, one more thing: Mint chocolate chip ice-cream!
But sadly, she refuses to eat any fruits or vegetables. That's right, none whatsoever! And this habit has been going on for years, which is not a healthy option for the long term. Will Daria grow out of this picky phase? Her doctor is concerned, but maybe she will discover garden goodies at some point. There's nothing like a wholesome California salad, but it can be an acquired taste for some!