Louis E. Grivetti, Ph.D.

Louis Grivetti

Position Title
Professor Emeritus, Department of Nutrition

3139 Meyer Hall
Bio
Education
  • Ph.D., Geography, University of California, Davis
Research Interests

Dr. Grivetti's research blends classical approaches of social and biological sciences with historical perspectives. The unifying theme of his research is how and under what conditions human diets change, the mechanisms of change, and the nutritional implications of human behavior.

Dr. Grivetti's research has taken two sub-themes:

  1. History, origin, and maintenance of safe, nutritionally sound diets: Such work has included identification and nutrient analysis of edible wild plants in Greece and Swaziland and species consumed during famine in the Sahel of Western Africa; religious determinants of human diet; food-use patterns during and after World War II evidenced by Eastern European, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian societies; and food patterns and food safety in post-war Vietnam.
  2. Cultural-ethnic diet and nutritional status: such work has included changes associated with rural to urban migration in Greece; food patterns and access to health care by Native Americans; nutritional consequences associated with dietary changes associated with first-, second-, and third-generation immigrants to California, especially Asians, Hispanics, and Mediterraneans.

Dr. Grivetti is also the compiler of the University of California, Davis Olympic Centennial Athletic, Sport, Recreation Bibliography Project and the creator of America the Bountiful: Classic American Food from Antiquity to the Space Age, an exhibit of the history of American food, currently showing at the University of California, Davis Shields Library.

Selected Publications

Chapters and Appendices in publication 136:

  • Chapter 3. Grivetti, L. E., and B. Cabezon. Ancient Gods and Christian Celebrations: Chocolate and Religion.
  • Chapter 4. Cabezon, B., P. Barriga, and L. E. Grivetti. Chocolate and Sinful Behaviors: Inquisition Testimonies.
  • Chapter 6. Grivetti, L. E. Medicinal Chocolate in New Spain, Western Europe, and North America.
  • Chapter 7. Grivetti, L. E. Chocolate and the Boston Smallpox Epidemic of 1764.
  • Chapter 8. Grivetti, L. E. From Bean to Beverage: Historical Chocolate Recipes.
  • Chapter 19. Grivetti, L. E. “C” is for Chocolate: Chocolate and Cacao as Educational Themes in 18th Century North America.
  • Chapter 20. Grivetti, L. E. Chocolate, Crime, and the Courts: Selected English Trial Documents, 1693-1834.
  • Chapter 21. Grivetti, L. E. Dark Chocolate: Chocolate and Crime in North America and Elsewhere.
  • Chapter 27. Grivetti, L. E. Boston Chocolate: Newspaper Articles and Advertisements, 1705-1825.
  • Chapter 33. Cabezon, B., P. Barriga, and L. E. Grivetti. Blood, Conflict, and Faith: Chocolate in the Southeast and Southwest Borderlands, 1641-1833.
  • Chapter 34. Grivetti, L. E., P. Barriga, and B. Cabezon. Sailors, Soldiers, and Padres: California Chocolate, 1542? – 1840.
  • Chapter 51. Cabezon, B., and L. E. Grivetti. Symbols from Ancient Times: Paleography and the St. Augustine Chocolate Saga.
  • Chapter 55. Grivetti, L. E. Blue and Gray Chocolate: Searching for American Civil War Chocolate References.
  • Chapter 56. Grivetti, L. E. and H.-Y. Shapiro. Chocolate Futures: Promising Areas for Further Research.
  • Appendix 3. Gordon, B. M., and L. E. Grivetti. Commonsense Rules for Working in Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
  • Appendix 6. Grivetti, L. E. Boston Chocolate, 1700-1825: People, Occupations, and Addresses.

Grivetti, L. E. and H-Y. Shapiro (Editors). Chocolate: History, Culture, Heritage. 2009. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 975 pages.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, B. Gordon, C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 10. Greens. Bicentennial to Tercentennial: Earth Bound, Reaching for Mars (1976-2076). Nutrition Today. 2007;42(2): 88-94.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 9. Chicken. Cold War and Social Upheaval: Through the Atomic Age and Vietnam to the American Bicentennial (1945-1976). Nutrition Today. 2007;42:28-36.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 8. Potatoes. World War II: Home Front and Abroad (1941-1945). Nutrition Today. 2007;41: 125-130.

Lange, M. and L. Grivetti. Have Your Chocolate and Eat It Too: Integrating Concept Maps into a Content Management Framework with Relational Database Connectivity. 2006. Vol. 2, pp. 126-129 In: Concept Maps: Theory, Methodology, Technology. A. J. Cañas and J. D. Novak Editors. 2 Vols. San José, Costa Rica: University of Costa Rica Press.

Grivetti, L. E. Edible Wild Plants as Food and as Medicine: Reflections on Thirty Years of Fieldwork. 2006. pp. 11 – 38 In: Eating and Healing. Traditional Food as Medicine. Edited by A. Pieroni and L. L. Price. New York, New York: Haworth Press.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 7. Wheat. Best of Times, Worst of Times (1910-1941). Nutrition Today. 2005;40:138-148.

Grivetti, L. E. Wine in Health and Social Commentary. From Hippocrates to Athenaeus. Laetaberis. New Series. 2005;15: 27-54.

Grivetti, L. E. J. L. Corlett, B. M. Gordon, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 6. Beef (Part 2). Reconstruction and Growth: Into the 20th Century (1865-1910). Nutrition Today. 2004;39(3): 1-11.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, B. M. Gordon, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 6. Beef (Part 1). Reconstruction and Growth: Into the 20th Century (1865-1910). Nutrition Today. 2004;39(1): 18-24. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E. Ethical and Ethnical Requirements in the Production of Food. Journal of Food Science. 2004;69(1): 20-28.

Grivetti, L. E. and T. Wilson. A Brief History of Human Beverage Consumption. Pre-history to the Present. In: Beverage Impacts on Health and Nutrition. Edited by T. Wilson and N. J. Temple, Nutrition and Health Series, Humana Press. Beverages in Nutrition and Health. 2004;1:3-18.

Grivetti, L. E. Cultural Aspects of Nutrition. The Integration of Art and Science. The Oxford Brookes University Lectures, 2003. Oxford, England: Information Press (275 pp.)

Corlett, J. L., E. A. Dean, L. E. Grivetti. Hmong Gardens. Botanical Diversity in an Urban Setting. Economic Botany. 2003;57:365-379

Johnson, N., and L. E. Grivetti. Gathering Practices of Karen Women. Questionable Contribution to Beta-Carotene Intake. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2002;53: 489-501. [PubMed]

Johnson, N., and L. E. Grivetti. Environmental Change in Northern Thailand. Impact on Wild Edible Plant Available. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 2002;41: 373-399.

Dalsin, M. F., E. A. Laca, G. Abuova, and L. E. Grivetti. Livestock- Owning Households of Kazakstan. Part 2. Food Patterns and Health. Seasonal and Regional Analysis. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 2002;41:345-371.

Dalsin, M. F., E. A. Laca, G. Abuova, and L. E. Grivetti. Livestock- Owning Households of Kazakstan. Part 1. Food Systems. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 2002;41:301-343.

Grivetti, L. E. Dietary Supplements in American Children. Scientific vs. Marketing Justifications. Nutrition Today. 2002;37(3): 128-129. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 5. Pork. A Nation Divided: The American Civil War Era (1861- 1865). Nutrition Today. 2002;37(3): 110-117. [PubMed]

Corlett, J. L., Clegg, M. S., Keen, C. L., & Grivetti, L. E. Mineral content of culinary and medicinal plants cultivated by Hmong refugees living in Sacramento, California. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2002;53: 117-128. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 3. Beans. Revolution and Expansion: The Frontier Experience (1776 - 1848). Nutrition Today. 2001;36(2) 172-181.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 2. Turkey. Birth of a Nation: Colonialization to the Revolution (1565 - 1776). Nutrition Today. 2001;36(2): 88-96.

Grivetti, L. E., J. L. Corlett, and C. T. Lockett. Food in American History. Part 1. Maize. Bountiful Gifts: America on the Eve of European Colonization (Antiquity to 1565). Nutrition Today. 2001;36(1): 19-28.

Bloom, K. J., and L. E. Grivetti. The Mysterious History of Partridge Poisoning. Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences. 2001;56: 68-76. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. G. Psychological and Cultural Aspects of Energy. Nutrition Reviews. 59 (1): 2001;S5-S12. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E. Mediterranean Food Patterns. The View from Antiquity. Ancient Greeks and Romans. pp. 3-30 In. The Mediterranean Diet. Edited by A-L. Matala, A. Zampelas, V. Stavrinos, and I. Wolinsky. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2001; pp. 3-30.

Reed, B. A. and L. E. Grivetti. Controlling On-Farm Inventories of Bulk-Tank Raw Milk. An Opportunity to Protect Public Health. Journal of Dairy Science. 2001;83: 1-4. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. G. Nutritional Geography. History and Trends. Nutritional Anthropology. 2000;23(2): 1-16.

Dillinger, T. L., P. Barriga, S. Escarcega, M. Jimenez, D. S. Lowe, and L. E. Grivetti. Food of the Gods - Cure for Humanity? A Cultural History of the Medicinal and Ritual Use of Chocolate. Journal of Nutrition. 2000;130 (Supplement): 2057S-2072S. [PubMed]

Lockett, C., C. C. Calvert, and L. E. Grivetti. Energy and Micronutrient Composition of Dietary and Medicinal Wild Plants Consumed During Drought. Study of Rural Fulani, Northeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2000;51: 195-208. [PubMed]

Lockett, C., and L. E. Grivetti. Food-Related Behaviors During Drought. A Study of Rural Fulani, Northeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.2000;51: 91-107. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E. and B. M. Ogle. Value of Traditional Foods in Meeting Macro- and Micronutrient Needs: The Wild Plant Connection. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2000;13: 1-16. [PubMed]

Matalas, A.-L., C. E. Franti, and L. E. Grivetti. Comparative Study of Diets and Disease Prevalence in Greek Chians. Part 2. Emigrants Residing in Athens and the United States. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1999;38: 381-414.

Matalas, A. -L., C. E. Franti, and L. E. Grivetti. Comparative Study of Diets and Disease Prevalence in Greek Chians. Part 1. The Rural and Urban Residents of Chios. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1999;38: 351-380.

Wada, J. Y., B. Pogosian, Y. Yamani, and L. E. Grivetti. Japanese Festival Foods. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1999;38: 307-350.

Grivetti, L. E., J. Corlett, C. Lockett. Classic American Foods. A Cultural-Historical Retrospective. pp. 99 - 115 In: Proceedings, Cultural and Historical Aspects of Foods. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Edited by M. W. Kelsey and Z-A Holmes. Corvallis, Oregon: Nutrition and Food Management College of Home Economics and Education, Oregon State University, 1999.

Grivetti, L. E. Sound Nutrition in the Midst of Poverty. The Otomí Revisited. pp. 90 - 98 In: Proceedings, Cultural and Historical Aspects of Foods. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Edited by M.W. Kelsey and Z-A Holmes. Corvallis, Oregon: Nutrition and Food Management College of Home Economics and Education, Oregon State University, 1999.

Grivetti, L. E. Muslim Food- and Health-Related Behaviors. Pregnancy and Postnatal Periods. pp. 82-89 In: Proceedings, Cultural and Historical Aspects of Foods. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Edited by M. W. Kelsey and Z-A Holmes. Corvallis, Oregon: Nutrition and Food Management College of Home Economics and Education, Oregon State University, 1999.

Carpenter, M. F., E. A. Laca, and L. E. Grivetti. Linking Livestock Production to Human Nutrition in Kazakstan. pp. 158-168 In: Proceedings: Heifer Project International Symposium on Human Nutrition and Livestock in the Developing World. Edited by B. A. Miller. Little Rock, Arkansas: Heifer Project International, 1999.

Dillinger, T. L., S. C. Jett, M. J. Macri, and L. E. Grivetti. Feast or Famine? Supplemental Food Programs and Their Impact on Rural and Urban Native Americans. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 1999;50: 173-187. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E., D. Leon, K. Rasmussen, P. S. Shetty, R. Steckel, and J. Villar. Report of the IDECG Working Group on Variation in Fetal Growth and Adult Disease. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1998;52: S102-103. [PubMed]

Glew, R. H., D.J. VanderJagt, C. Lockett, L. E. Grivetti, G. C. Smith, A. Pastuszyn, and M. Millson. Amino Acid, Fatty Acid, and Mineral Composition of 24 Indigenous Plants of Burkina Faso. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 1998;10: 205-217.

Grivetti, L. E. Social Determinants of Food Intake. pp. 121-131 In: Nutritional Implications of Macronutrient Substitutes. New York Academy of Science. 1997; Volume 819. Edited by G. H. Anderson, B. J. Rolls, and D. G. Steffen. New York: The New York Academy of Sciences, pp. 121-131.

Grivetti, L. E. Morning Meals. North American and Mediterranean Breakfast Patterns. Part 3. Mediterranean Patterns and Summary. Nutrition Today. 1997;32(4): 1-8.

Applegate, E.A., Baumgartner, B., Clarkson, P.M., Grivetti, L.E., Haislett, N., McDonald, R.B., Mills, B. and A. Oerter. Gold medal roundtable: Athlete Presentations, Audience Questions, and Summary Statements. Symposium: Nutrition and Physical Performance: A Century of Progress and Tribute to the Modern Olympic Movement. Journal of Nutrition. 1997;127:886S-892S. [PubMed]

Applegate, E.A. and L.E. Grivetti. Search for the competitive edge. A history of dietary fads and supplements. Symposium: Nutrition and Physical Performance: A Century of Progress and Tribute to the Modern Olympic Movement. Journal of Nutrition. 1997;127:869S-873S. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L.E. and E.A. Applegate. From Olympia to Atlanta: A Cultural-historical Perspective on Diet and Athletic Training. Symposium: Nutrition and Physical Performance: A Century of Progress and Tribute to the Modern Olympic Movement. Journal of Nutrition. 1997;127:860S-868S. [PubMed]

Applegate, E.A., Clarkson, P.M., Grandjean, A.C., Grivetti, L., McDonald, R.B., and C.M. Tipton. Introduction. Sympsium: Nutrition and Physical Performance: A Century of Progress and Tribute to the Modern Olympic Movement. Journal of Nutrition. 1997;127:857S-859S.

Grivetti, L.E., E.A. Applegate, P.M. Clarkson, A.C. Grandjean, R.B. McDonald, and C.M. Tipton. From Ancient Olympia to Modern Atlanta. Celebration of the Olympic Centennial. Nutrition Today. 1996;31(6): 241-249.

Smith, G.C., S.R. Dueker, A.J. Clifford, and L.E. Grivetti. Carotenoid Values of Selected Plant Foods Common to Southern Burkina Faso, West Africa. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1996;35:43-58.

Smith, G.C., M.S. Clegg, C.L. Keen, and L.E. Grivetti. Mineral Values of Selected Plant Foods Common to Southern Burkina Faso and to Niamey, Niger, West Africa. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 1995;47:41-53. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L.E. Morning Meals: North American and Mediterranean Breakfast Patterns. Part 2. America At Breakfast. Nutrition Today. 1995;30:128-134.

Grivetti, L.E., L.M. Bui, and L.T. Vuong. Nutrition in Vietnam: Historical Topics and Contemporary Research Opportunities. International Child Health. 1995;6:11-24.

Grivetti, L.E. Morning Meals: North American and Mediterranean Breakfast Patterns. The European Anglo-Saxon Heritage. Nutrition Today. 1995;30:24-29.

Matalas, A.-L. and L.E. Grivetti. The Diet of Nineteenth-Century Greek Sailors: An Analysis of the Log of the Konstantinos. Food and Foodways. 1993;5:353-389.

Kurowski, H., S. Gospe, L.E. Grivetti, F.J. Zeman. Nutritional Factors and Anticonvulsant Drug Therapies: Effect on Growth Retardation in Children with Seizures. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1993;58:858-861. [PubMed]

Matalas, A., and L.E. Grivetti. Mediterranean Diet. Food Pattern Comparison Between 19th and 20th Century Greek Sailors. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 1993;44:261-279

Romero-Gwynn, E., D. Gwynn, L. Grivetti, R. McDonald, G. Stanford, B. Turner, E. West, and E. Williamson. Dietary Acculturation among Latinos of Mexican Descent. Nutrition Today. 1993;28(4):6-12.

Humphry, C., M.S. Clegg, C. Keen, and L.E.Grivetti. Food Diversity and Drought Survival. The Hausa Example. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 1993;44:1-16.

Uhle, A. F., and L .E. Grivetti. Alpine and Brazilian Swiss Food Patterns After a Century of Isolation. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1993;29:119-138.

Romero-Gwynn, E., D. Gwynn, B. Turner, G. Stanford, E. West, E. Williamson, L. Grivetti, and R. McDonald. Dietary Change Among Latinos of Mexican Descent in California. California Agriculture. 1992;46(4): 10-12.

Grivetti, L. E. Nutrition Past -- Nutrition Today. Prescientific Origins of Nutrition and Dietetics. Part 4. Aztec Patterns and Spanish Legacy. Nutrition Today. 1992;27(3): 13-25.

Stevens, D. A., L. E. Grivetti, R. B. McDonald. Nutrient Intake of Urban and Rural Elderly Receiving Home Delivered Meals. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1992;92: 714-718. [PubMed]

Grivetti, L. E. Clash of Cuisines. Notes on Christoforo Colombo 1492-1503. Nutrition Today. 1992;26(2): 13-15.

Stern, J. S., D. C. Chen, S. Saitoh, Y. Shimomura, M. Suzuki, L. E. Grivetti. Eat More Rice (EMR). A Study to Increase Rice Consumption in Americans. pp. 141-145 (in) Obesity. Dietary Factors and Control. Edited by D.R. Romsos. Basel: Karger, 1991.

Grivetti, L. E. Nutritional Geography. pp. 126-127 (in) Modern Geography. An Encyclopedic Survey. Edited by G. Dunbar. New York: Garland Publishing, 1991.

Grivetti, L. E. Nutrition Past -- Nutrition Today. Prescientific Origins of Nutrition and Dietetics. Part 3. Legacy of China. Nutrition Today. 1991;26(6): 6-17.

Grivetti, L. E. Nutrition Past -- Nutrition Today. Prescientific Origins of Nutrition and Dietetics. Part 2. Legacy of the Mediterranean. Nutrition Today. 1991;26(4): 18-29.

Grivetti, L. E. Nutrition Past -- Nutrition Today. Prescientific Origins of Nutrition and Dietetics. Part 1. Legacy of India. Nutrition Today. 1991;26(1): 13-24.

Smidt, L. J., F. M. Cremin, L. E. Grivetti, and A. J. Clifford. Influence of Thiamin Supplementation on the Health and General Well-Being of an Elderly Irish Population with Marginal Thiamin Deficiency. Journal of Gerontology. 1991;46: M16-22. [PubMed]

McArthur, L. H., L. E. Grivetti, and H. G. Schutz. Practices, Beliefs and Knowledge of International and U. S. Students Regarding Food Supplements and Health Foods. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1990;24: 233-249.

Smidt, L. J., F. M. Cremin, L. E. Grivetti, A. J. Clifford. Influence of Folate Status and Polyphenol Intake on Thiamin Status of Irish Women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1990;52: 1077-1082. [PubMed]

Shack, K. W., L. E. Grivetti, and K. G. Dewey. Cash Cropping, Subsistence Agriculture, and Nutritional Status among Mothers and Children in Lowland Papua New Guinea. Social Science and Medicine. 1990;31: 61-68. [PubMed]

Shack, K. W., K. G. Dewey, and L. E. Grivetti Effects of Resettlement on the Dietary Intakes of Mothers and Children in Lowland Papua New Guinea. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1990;24: 55-70.

Shack, K. W., L. E. Grivetti, and K. G. Dewey. Effects of Resettlement on Nutritional Status of Mothers and Children in Lowland Papua New Guinea. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1990;24: 37-54.

McArthur, L. H., L. E. Grivetti, and H. G. Schutz. Health Food Store Shopping Practices and Rationale of International Students and Students from the United States. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 1989;23: 211-224.

Smith, G. N. and L .E. Grivetti. Church of the East. From Ancient Times Through World War One. Yearbook, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers. 1989;51: 101-123.

Grivetti, L. E. Informazione o Disinformazione: ResponsabilitI Degli Educatori Nutrizionali [Information or Mis-Information: Responsibilities of Nutrition Educators]. pp. 112-133 (in) Atti dela Convegno L'informazione Alimentare. Mangiare Meglio per Vivere Meglio. Milan: Selezione dal Reader's Digest, 1988.