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Nutrition: Food & Culture

Though I do not like being referenced as a millennial (depending strongly on the context) and for the sake of contextual clarity rounding up this series, the interviewee is Gen Z. She is an academic honor student, gorgeous, athletic, and talented. I could go on, but I won’t. [laughs]

I introduce you all to the one and only amazing, Lena!

Hi Lena, how are you doing?

I’m good. [laughs]

Are you nervous?

A little.

Don’t be. I’d like you to start by introducing yourself to my readers.

My name is Lena Nicole. I am a competitive swimmer. I am a funny, kind, and beautiful person and I like to draw, dance, and sing.

You have a lot of great things going for yourself. Competitive swimmer! That’s impressive. Do you like swimming?

I looooove [sic] swimming!

You’re an athlete, so that means you’re very active?

Yes, I used to do cheerleading too.

Do you eat healthy food because of that?

Yes, I eat healthy. I like to eat yummy salads and drink water. It is important to drink water when you’re swimming a lot of laps, so I have to stay hydrated.

That’s awesome! Do you think it is a good thing that you are active.

Yes, I do. It is fun, it helps me stay slim, and I get to make friends.

I see. What are three common meals you have in your home?

• Baked chicken with rice or broccoli and a side salad
• Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans
• Turkey and greens

I love the duck my mom makes. It is my favorite thing she cooks, but she only cooks it around Thanksgiving.

What are two common meals you would have if you ate out/went to a restaurant?

• I would eat seafood more if I could. [laughs]
• Broccoli and cheddar soup with half of sandwich. The sandwich is usually a barbeque turkey sandwich.

I’m with you. Seafood is so delicious! Do you like homecooked food?

I love it!  I like how the smell fills the house. When you take a bite out of homecooked food it is worth it. [laughs]

There is nothing like a homecooked meal. Do you like eating fast food/eating out?

Yes, I like eating out too.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Captain Loui!  

Oh, a seafood boil type restaurant?

Yes! They have the best sauce.

You know what food is considered healthy? What are some examples of healthy foods that you know?

Baked fish and cabbage or kale are healthy foods. Healthy food is natural food like you would grow. Vegetables like carrots and green beans are healthy. Healthy food helps with your digestion and keeps you from getting out of shape. Healthy food helps you go to the bathroom. Healthy food helps you stay in shape so that you do not have trouble breathing. Can I say that?

Yes. [laughs] Give me some examples of where you can get healthy foods and where your family may get them. What are some places you see healthy food?

We go to the grocery store for food, but the farmers market has more produce with lots of fruits and vegetables. I see healthy food in the produce area, at the fancy stores like Sprouts, in a garden, at the farmers market, and on the farm with Grandpa.

Do you like the farmers market?

I do like it because you see more stuff, but I don’t like that it is super cold inside. You see more fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh stuff.

What kind of fresh stuff do you see at the farmers market?

Crabs and fish. [laughs] I like to look at the crabs and sometimes they have really huge fish on display.

That’s cool. Do you help with cooking?

Yes, I help with cooking and packing my lunch. I like to cook now. My mom tells me of how she used to cook with her mom, and I want to do that. I want to learn how to cook soul food.

What is your favorite meal to cook?

Butternut squash soup with the bread bowl.

Have you had food from other cultures?

Yes, I have. My favorite cultural food is Arab food. It has the right amount of seasoning, and it is really healthy. It helped me know that even if someone is from a different country, it doesn’t mean their food is nasty.

Nice! What other cultural cuisines have you tried?  

I have tried Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, and Korean food, but Arab food is my favorite. I like their hummus with carrots.

Do you ever get frustrated with having to eat healthy?

Sometimes I do. If I see cake, wings, or French fries, I want to eat it. But you can’t eat that kind of stuff everyday even though it tastes really good. So, I get frustrated because I see it a lot but can’t have it.

Have you learned to eat with self-control?

Yes. I know when to stop. I ate too much junk before and it made me sick. I don’t do that anymore. [laughs]

If you went to the store with your own money, would you buy healthy or unhealthy food?

I would buy a little of both, but I wouldn’t eat too much.

When you think about nutrition, what comes to mind?

What comes to mind about nutrition is eating greens and other colors and eating healthy by drinking water and eating fruit. My mom taught me to have balance. If I choose to eat something kind of unhealthy, I eat a piece of fruit with it or drink some water with it.

What have you learned about fruit?

It is funny to say this, but fruit helps everything come out. [laughs] Fruit helps keep you clean inside. [laughs]

Yes! Fruit cleans you out. [laughs] So, what does having balance look like to you?

If they have pizza at school, balance will look like having pizza with salad and some fruit instead of pizza and fries. I would pick something healthy with something unhealthy, but not all unhealthy stuff.

If you were to make your own meal what you include in your meal? I would pick a protein like fish or chicken, some vegetables, and maybe a grain.

That sounds like you would put together a pretty balanced meal. I am glad you did this interview with me, and I am happy that you have been paying attention to your mother. Thank you.

You’re welcome. [laughs]