Eating Habit of American

Eating Habit of American

BY
Maya Nishimura

A SHORT PAPER

IN PARTIAL FULEILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE OF
SUMMER, STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM (US)
Kumamoto Gakuen University, Faculty of Foreign Languages
Department of English






1. Introduction
I’m interested in American foods. But I know hamburger in American foods only, so I wanted to know various American foods. Then, the eating habit of America is different from that of Japan. Japanese regularly eat rice and vegetables. We have calorie in our mind. Japanese are slender in the world. But there are many fat people in America. America is called “Obesity large country”. I had expected American would often eat beef and hamburger before I visited Minnesota. In fact, there are some differences. I was surprised at foods and the eating habit of American.


2. Foods in Minnesota
2.1 Breakfast
American eat light meal at breakfast. For example, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, milk and coffee. I cooked breakfast by myself in Minnesota, and I often ate cereal and bread for breakfast. The American cereal is not sweet, so I was surprised. I ate miso soup and rice once in a while. My host mother takes a shower, and work in early morning. She didn’t have enough time. She drank a cup of tea every morning. When I couldn’t eat breakfast, I brought fruits and snack to school.

2.2 Lunch
American go to fast food restaurants at lunch or cook lunch shortly. Hamburger and Pizza are popular lunch. My host mother often cooked a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. A basic sandwich is generally with one or more slices of any kind of cheese on any sort of bread. It is easy food, but so delicious. I liked it very much.
I ate out sometimes on weekend. I went to Mac Donald’s　with my host mother. The American Mac Donald’s appearance is same Japanese one. But drink is self service. It was very convenient.　This paper cup is a big size. I had expected American burger would be so big before I visited Minnesota. But the American burger size is same as Japanese one. We choose a hamburger size, and the inside of ingredient. I ate a cheese burger. I felt that this burger is better than Japanese one.

2.3 Dinner
American eat a hearty dinner. American often eat chickens and beefs for dinner. My host mother worked every day, so she was tired in the evening. Therefore we often ate out. I went to Mexican and Greek food restaurants. There are many other country food restaurants in Minnesota.
When we had enough time, we cooked dinner at home. My host mother cooked pork steak, barbecue and salad and so on. She is good at cooking, and she cooked shortly. I helped my host mother to cook a dinner. Then, I often had a dinner with Yui and Kim. Kim and Veronica are close friends, and had a dinner on every Monday. Yui and I cooked curry rice and chicken and egg bowl for our host mother. I bought kitchen staffs in Japanese grocery store. This store is useful for Japanese. We bought mirin, soy sauce and dashi. I had never cooked a chicken and egg bowl. But we succeeded in cooking it. They said “It was delicious! Thank you for cooking for us.” So, I was glad.
Next, American eat a dessert after dinner. I ate ice creams almost every day. I particularly like strawberry ice cream. There are many ice cream shops in Minnesota. Dairy Queen is a famous ice cream shop. I went there three times. I always ate strawberry cheese cake ice cream.


3. Other Foods in Minnesota
3.1 Thanksgiving Day
My host mother held a party for us. Yui’s host family and Hiromi’s host family came to my house. The party is “Thanksgiving party”. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada Generally, it celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. But they held thanksgiving party early for us, and prepared the party the day before. Veronica, Kim and Susan cooked, and I looked after children. Main dish is a turkey. Turkey is big! I seldom eat turkey, so I was looking forward to eating it. The table was spread with dishes. For example, mashed potatoes, a casserole, and fruits. I was surprised that they ate turkeys with a cranberry sauce. I had eaten too much. After that, a apple pie and a pumpkin pie served for dessert. I had a good time this day.

3.2 Difference in Japanese foods
I ate Japanese foods in Minnesota. First of all, I went to a starbucks coffee with my host mother. I ordered a green tea. I took a sip of green tea, and I said “This is not green tea!”. The American green tea was different from Japanese one. A Japanese green tea is bitter. But the American green tea is sweet so American doesn’t like bitter.
Then, I went to BENIHANA. This restaurant was sushi bar and a famous restaurant in Minnesota. American is interested in Japanese foods, and they like sushi. But Japanese foods is rich in America. They seldom eat it. I ate sushi, agedashi-tofu and tempura. I was surprised that there is agedashi-tofu in this restaurant.

4. Conclusion
I knew much about the eating habit of American. American eat light meal for breakfast and lunch. They have a splendid dinner, and always eat a dessert after dinner. They eat too much, but they are careful about health. Actually, they often exercise. American often eat out. There are many fast food restaurants in Minnesota, and they often go there. My host mother took me to various restaurants. American foods are very delicious. I liked American foods better after I visited the U.S. I ate too much every day, so I got a weight. I experienced American foods for a month. I want to know more various American foods in the future.


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