Eating Habits in America and China - Essay Example

Field trip Food is a fundamental requirement for the functioning of the human body. It nourishes the body and provides it with nutrients that enable it to live and survive. The physical and mental capacities of human beings are also improved by eating the correct amount and type of food. Every culture, community, and country all over the world has formed habits and opinions towards food. For instance, it is a generally accepted habit both socially and scientifically that a human being should have at least three meals in a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From this basis, a number of communities have taken to habits that represent their culture and social life. This paper seeks to explore the different eating habits between two countries: China and America. Furthermore, it will look at the farms in America and the type of crops that are cultivated; the food market and lastly, it will show the experience that has been gained by students. The various customary practices, environment, and region are among the various factors that influence the different eating habits between China and America. The difference in eating habits that are going to be highlighted include: the number of meals eaten in a day, the size of meals eaten when hosting for guests, the size of vegetables and proteins eaten in a single day, eating viscera of animals, the preference of rice and flour, eating of sweet food, tea or coffee, soya bean products and the size of portions. These differences were chosen because they give the best contrast between China and America eating habits. Most of the American citizens prefer eating severally in a single day. Apart from the three prescribed meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they also have a preference of eating snacks in between these meals. Therefore, it means that they take at least six meals in a single day. In contrast, the Chinas citizens eat only three meals in a given day. However, there might be exceptions but the majority of them take three meals per day. The second difference is observed during festivities or a period whereby the Chinese or American families entertain guests. The Chinese prefer to prepare a lot of food for their guests or even at a celebration festival. This is done in honor of the guest, and it ensures that the guests eat to their fill. This scale of extravagance is not witnessed in their American counterparts (Counihan and Esterik 44-50). When entertaining guests or during the festival celebration, the Americans are not as extravagant as the Chinese. The Chinese prefer to eat fresh fruits and vegetables in most of their meals. The level of fresh fruit that is consumed by the Chinese is much more than that consumed by the Americans. However, research has shown that the Americans partake of larger amounts of protein per sitting as compared to the Chinese. In contrast, the Chinese eat a lot of animal byproducts. This includes the livers, intestines, lungs, and heart. The American eating habits do not include the eating the viscera. This may be attributed to the fact that the viscera contain large cholesterol amounts. Americans are wary of food products that have unusually high levels of fat and cholesterol. It is quite a common occurrence among the Chinese culture to eat rice and its products like flour. To some extent, rice can be considered a staple amongst the Chinese. In contrast, the Americans have a preference of eating products such as cake or bread that is made from white flour. After eating their meals, the Americans would take a dessert. The dessert is a sweet food. The Chinese, on the other hand, have a preference of eating fruits after finishing their meals. In addition to the fruits, the Chinese also prefer drinking a cup of hot tea after their meals. On the other hand, the Americans prefer to drink coffee after their meal. Chinese prefer tea to coffee since tea helps to reduce the cholesterol in the body. Soybean milk and products such as the bean curd has been a traditional recipe amongst the Chinese. Soybean milk assists the body to absorb nutrients, and it is highly nutritious. Only a few number of Americans prefer eating soybean and its products. A large percentage of the soybean produce is used for animal feeds (Counihan and Esterik 54-65). The United States has a vibrant agricultural sector. The agriculture sector is made up of various enterprises. These include the producers (Farmers), processors, and the marketers. The producers are the farmers who ‘get their hands dirty’ and come up with the raw materials in this case the foodstuffs. The farmers cultivate different kind of foods in their farms. Each farm may specialize in a single crop, animal or may have a variety of crops that are cultivated. Among the most important plants that are farmed in the majority of farms, include corn, which is an important plant for making both human and animal food. Apart from corn, other plants include soya beans, onions, fruits, and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes are also cultivated. The farms are mechanized, and they employ only a few people who operate the machines. The machines that are in the farms include tractors, combine harvesters, and storage silos. The use of machines on the farms not only lightens the workload but also enable the farmers to get better yields and improve their precision. The different plants produced by the farmers are taken to processors. The processors carry out value addition turning the raw farm products into finished goods. The goods produced depend on the capability of the processor and their line of specialization. For instance, an egg processor will receive eggs from different farmers. After receipt of the eggs, they will carry out the various value addition process to come up with the different egg products such as egg powder, liquid eggs, egg whites and graded whole eggs. Each product has its own specific market. The marketer is tasked with selling the finished products from the processor. They source for the market, order from the processors the products, and supply the market with the product that is required. However, not all are taken to the processors. The farmers are at liberty to take their produce to the farmers market. The food markets are specialty markets that seek to indulge the visitors who choose to visit them with fresh produce, seafood, and traditional dishes. The food markets have been part of the modern America. They have evolved to become a center of attraction to not only food lovers but to farmers and producers who bring colorful fresh produce. The visitors to the food markets are keen on picking up fresh products such as vegetables, meat products, breads, cheeses and other assorted goods and services. More so, the people who visit the food markets are able to learn the culture and habits of the locals based on what the locals are offering for sale in the food markets. In the U.S., the food markets have become an integral part of Americans. This is evident based on the rise in popularity of the food markets. The consumers have also shown increased interest on fresh produce. Scientific research has shown that fresh foods are better than processed or frozen foods. Therefore, this explains the rise in the number of consumers who are seeking fresh foods. The main advantage of the food market is that it allows the farmers to provide the consumers with produce that is directly from the farms. The direct marketing bypasses the processors and thus the farmers are able to cultivate customer loyalty with their customers. In addition, the food markets enable the farmers to have an outlet where they are able to get higher profit margins that what is being offered by the processors. While studying in China, it was not a usual experience to take a field trip. Field trip has many benefits to the students. First and for most, the field trips offer the students an experience that can be enjoyed away from the school environment. By visiting different locations, the students will get a more hands on experience and get to interact with different scenarios in the field experience. Field trips that have incorporated community service also benefit the local community. Secondly, a field trip gives a welcome break from the rigorous classroom environment. Thirdly, the field trips offer a new experience for the students. It engages the students to try out new ideas, explore opportunities that were not previously considered, and it may spark new interest in the students. Lastly, the field trips enhance a fine understanding of the subject at hand. Students get to see the real life experience and application of the lessons that they have learned in school. Therefore, they appreciate their studies. This class has offered a tremendous experience. The classroom interaction proved to be a revelation. In a sense, the class has introduced a new world filled with information that is not only new, but also interesting. The classroom interaction has had a positive effect on my thinking and interaction. I now have a deeper understanding of the food produced and consumed by America. By studying the different eating habits between America and China, I fully appreciate the cultural diversity. By nature, I am an adventurous person, keen on visiting different places and meeting new people. The field trips that have been conducted in this class have enabled me to visit different places and meet new people. Florida has a number of amazing and fabulous scenes. This class experience has enabled me to enjoy these scenes. For instance, the field trip to the Fruit and Spice Park; Oolite Restaurant and Bar; the Farmers’ Market; and the Sister Farm was an eye opener, fun and a fulfilment of a dream come true. For example, the Fruit and Spice Park enables one to enjoy a pleasant tropical climate while at the same time learning about the different varieties of spices, vegetables, herbs, and nuts. This class helps to shape focus and interaction with other people from a different cultural background. I have a better understanding of how the different plants are farmed, packaged, processed, marketed, and sold. Having this knowledge helps one to appreciate the role played by every person in the value chain especially the producers who are the farmers. In summary, this class enabled me to understand the benefits of field trips. In my native country, China, field trips are a rare occurrence. Being part of this class has exposed me to the benefits of field trips and broken the monotony of classrooms. In addition, the class has shaped my future interaction in the workplace and social environments. For instance, now I understand the different eating habits between different cultures and appreciate the differences, which are a result of region, customary practices, and the environment. This paper explores the difference in eating habits between China and America. Several factors contribute to these differences. They include region, environment, and the customary practices. Some of the different eating habits include the number and size of meals eaten in a day, the size of vegetables and proteins eaten in a single day, eating viscera of animals, the preference of rice and flour, eating of sweet food, tea or coffee, soya bean products and the size of portions. It further explores the food market in the U.S. and the marketing channel that are taken to deliver the food product to the consumer. In conclusion, it highlights the experience that has been gained over the length of this class. Works Cited Counihan, Carole and Penny Van Esterik. Food and Culture: A Reader. Location: Routledge, 2013. Print. Read More