International students are bound to have different dietary needs than the average American.
The current food culture in America is based mainly on fast food restaurants and takeouts, which do not always meet international students’ dietary needs.
This may be due to the lack of exposure to the availability of fresh produce, exotic meats, or ethnic foods in their home country.
For this reason, international students should consider adjusting their diet accordingly to fit into their new surroundings.
Introduction: The Cultural Food Habits of International Students
International students are very diverse, and their food habits vary by country and location. They bring these different cultures to America and introduce new types of food, such as sushi, to the American diet.
The most popular foods that international students enjoy in America are pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, cheese sticks, french fries, and salads. Pizza is a favorite because it is often considered a “casual” meal and is easy to make at home.
Factors Affecting the Eating Habits of Students
Students are faced with many challenges when it comes to eating habits. Sometimes they feel like they don’t have enough time in the day to eat, either because of busy schedules or because they’re too tired from school and need to do their homework. Other times, students might go hungry because there is not enough food in the house or because their family can’t afford it. The reality is that many students struggle with eating and food insecurity and often don’t even know where to turn for help.
This post aims not to provide a solution for these issues, but rather to provide a better understanding of what factors affect the eating habits of students and how we can address them.
Many factors affect the food environment category, for instance: the location that the food is gotten, how much the food cost, public attributes, distance to the restaurant, shop accessibility, etc.
- Accessibility of food: This can be described as having enough money to get the right food for a healthy diet. This can be affected by the period of relocation and/or the job situation. You will soon realize that getting traditional food items is not easy compared to the fast and convenience foods located at almost every corner.
- Price of food: Students are forced to change their dietary habits due to the cost of food. Some foods are relatively cheaper compared to what was being offered back home. With the traditional foods not being readily available, they are also very highly-priced, and most of them are not of the same quality as the ones back home. Most students prefer fast and convenient foods because they are cheaper.
- Transportation: The significant stores are usually located in the big cities. These are the ones that stock traditional food from various countries. Students will opt to eat whatever food is available near them rather than make the long journey to the big city. Alternatively, they will ask their college mates who have their mode of transportation to hitch a ride to make purchases. This could be once a month.
- Food availability: If you have family members back in your home country, they can send traditional foods to you. However, this will take time, as maybe they can be able to dispatch after every six months. Students will have a short time to enjoy the food they enjoyed back home before going back to foods sold near them.
- Personal Preference on Student Dietary Habits: Some people prefer to snack on candy or chips, while others prefer to eat fruit and vegetables. Either way, the human body needs fuel. The best strategy for staying healthy is balance. If you’re just getting started with a new diet plan, it’s essential to think about your goal and talk to your doctor about any health conditions you may have.
- Religious influence on dietary habits: Religious influence on nutritional habits is a hotly debated topic. Many facets go into spiritual diets, such as vegetarianism, veganism, Kosher, Halal and more. In this paper, I will explore the many ways in which religion influences dietary habits and how it has changed over the years.
What You Should Avoid as an International Student
The international student experience is a great way to expand your knowledge and social skills. However, it is essential to be aware of the risks and challenges of studying in another country. This guide will give you some tips on what not to do as an international student, so you can avoid some common pitfalls and get the most out of your experience.
We should avoid taking on any financial debts that we cannot pay back. This often means we should avoid taking out a loan at all costs, but we can also avoid running up credit card debt if possible. Debt is more likely to affect our mental health, so it’s always better to save money to minimize the risk of relying on credit cards for emergency cash flow when costs are high.
How To Start Eating Healthy As An International Student
There is a whole range of international student cooking books that can be found in your local bookstore or online. You can also find cooking videos on YouTube that teach you how to cook.
Here are some tips on eating healthy as an international student:
- Start with breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it will set you up for the day ahead. Make sure you include protein and fiber in your breakfast meal to avoid feeling hungry between lunch and dinner. You can also add in some fruits, which will provide extra nutrients when you need them, such as after a workout when your metabolism kicks into high gear.
- Make smarter lunches: When it comes to lunch, many people choose takeout or something from a fast-food restaurant, but this can be expensive and poor for your health. Instead, try making a healthy lunch at home.
Professional essay writer Joan Young agrees that dietary habits have a direct effect on student’s performance. More so international students who are facing culture shock in their universities if they are from abroad. AdvancedWriters – professional writing service will give you more information on how to ensure that your diet is balanced as an international student.
