The Culture of Food in America
The Culture of Food in America
ANT 101
Abstract
Food is an essential part of any culture and it serves to show the diversity and unique aspects of different cultural beliefs. In the United States, there are people from diverse cultural groups and many different cultures. These groups possess unique culinary cultures, which add to diversity. This paper explores the different cultural groups present in the United States and their traditional foods. These cultures enable us to understand the concept of cultural diversity. The paper also explores divergence towards the “fast food” culture and its effects of the health of Americans. Two journal articles are used to further explain the unique American food culture; “Food choices in three ethnic groups: Interactions of ideals, identities, and roles” by Devine, Sobal, Bisogni, and Connors (1999) which explains that health, taste, time, cost and social relationships affect purchase decisions of food among all American cultures, while the second, “Fast-food consumption among U.S. adults and children: Dietary and nutrient intake profile” by Paeratakul, Champagne, Ferdinand, Ryan and Bray (2003) has shown that consumption of fast foods is actually bad for health. The findings are useful to the general public, health care practitioners and clinical medical anthropologists since they aid in the appreciation of the diversity of food from different cultures, and show the health and cultural homogenization dangers associated with a convergence towards a culture of fast food.
The Culture of Food in America
The United States has been defined as a cultural melting pot where people from diverse cultures and societies live in harmony. Many people from different backgrounds have immigrated to the U.S. in search for better jobs and opportunities. According to Miller (2007), these people have brought their cultures and created a rich cultural
ANT 101
Abstract
Food is an essential part of any culture and it serves to show the diversity and unique aspects of different cultural beliefs. In the United States, there are people from diverse cultural groups and many different cultures. These groups possess unique culinary cultures, which add to diversity. This paper explores the different cultural groups present in the United States and their traditional foods. These cultures enable us to understand the concept of cultural diversity. The paper also explores divergence towards the “fast food” culture and its effects of the health of Americans. Two journal articles are used to further explain the unique American food culture; “Food choices in three ethnic groups: Interactions of ideals, identities, and roles” by Devine, Sobal, Bisogni, and Connors (1999) which explains that health, taste, time, cost and social relationships affect purchase decisions of food among all American cultures, while the second, “Fast-food consumption among U.S. adults and children: Dietary and nutrient intake profile” by Paeratakul, Champagne, Ferdinand, Ryan and Bray (2003) has shown that consumption of fast foods is actually bad for health. The findings are useful to the general public, health care practitioners and clinical medical anthropologists since they aid in the appreciation of the diversity of food from different cultures, and show the health and cultural homogenization dangers associated with a convergence towards a culture of fast food.
The Culture of Food in America
The United States has been defined as a cultural melting pot where people from diverse cultures and societies live in harmony. Many people from different backgrounds have immigrated to the U.S. in search for better jobs and opportunities. According to Miller (2007), these people have brought their cultures and created a rich cultural
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