Food Preferences and Nutrition Culture

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Description of the food
My dislike for chicken soup
Process evaluation
Identification of food that I do not, cannot, or will not eat now
Exit process evaluation
Conclusion

Introduction

Food plays an important role in the development of a society. Some may even argue that food has contributed significantly to the establishment and success of various cultures around the world. I believe that food tastes better when it is shared among family and friends. There are different types of food depending on the ingredients used. However, due to physiological, religious and cultural reasons, most people are very choosy about what they eat. For example, despite how the food was prepared or presented, I never liked or ate chicken noodle soup in the past. This was attributed to its smell, looks and slimy feel. This essay shall give reasons as to why I could not eat this food, and how I came to like it.

Description of the food

Chicken soup is made from chicken mixed with other assorted ingredients. The traditional chicken soup is often made from boiling chicken together with some vegetables. During my childhood, my mother liked preparing this soup for us. She used to believe that it had medicinal values and that it could be used as a remedy for colds and flu. However, I never liked it. The sight of this meal made me slightly nauseous. I never understood why this meal had a negative impact on my nasal cavity. I ate chicken, but I did not like it as much.

My dislike for chicken soup

In my opinion, chicken was tasteless and it looked slimy. The soup was even worse. In most cases, I could see a layer of fat floating at the top. The chicken pieces looked white and bear. Each time my mother cooked the soup put me in a miserable state. Since I was not allergic to chicken or its byproducts, my mother decided that enough was enough. After everyone had eaten their soup, my mother told me that I would not go into my room until I had cleared my bowl of soup. I tried to prolong the inevitable for as long as I could in that circumstance but I finally caved in due to my mother’s persistence.

I took the bowl in my hands and poured its contents in my mouth. I immediately threw up all over the table. I could see my mother’s conviction as she threw her hands in the air. I never understood why I did not like chicken soup. It was not genetic or biological. I simply did not like how it looked, smelled and tasted. The thought of it made me sick to my stomach. As such, I never ate, would not eat and could not eat this meal in the past. However, things took a turn when I went to stay at my aunt’s home in order to attend school.

Process evaluation

At my aunt’s home, family members had a different culture than the one at home in regard to socialization and eating habits. My aunt was a strong believer of the fact that food has significant cultural, social and spiritual value in an individual’s life. As such, she always took her time to prepare meals, and she was good at making delicious meals. After I told her that I could not eat chicken soup, she suggested that we try different variations of the meal. Like my mother, my aunt insisted that chicken soup is a comfort meal with known medicinal values. I explained to her why I did not like it.

During my first try, she used a Bulgarian recipe to prepare the chicken soup. It was similar to the classic chicken soup but seasoned with vinegar and lemon juice. This recipe made the soup smell enticingly nice, and the chicken had an acquired taste that was delicious. I enjoyed the first few spoonfuls, but I still had my reservations. I was glad that I was able to enjoy the goodness of this common delicacy, even in small bits.

Over time, we tried different recipes and my liking for this meal increased gradually. During my birthday, she made us chicken soup with noodles and some spices. I loved it. This recipe made the soup look and taste delicious. The aroma was also very inviting. The noodles disguised the fat, and the boneless chicken was cut into small pieces and mixed with various vegetables. The meal looked attractive and was tastier than anything I had ever eaten before.

Even after leaving my aunt’s home, I kept on taking the soup. It became one of my favorite meals since it was delicious and easy to prepare. I gave my mother the recipe and nowadays, each time I visit her, she makes me a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I have developed a strong liking for this food and I ensure that I make some for myself at least four times a week. It truly is a comfort meal worth having.

Identification of food that I do not, cannot, or will not eat now

Throughout my life experiences, I have had the opportunity to interact with people from different cultural and social backgrounds. As such, I have witnessed different food preferences among my friends and have tasted various types of foods. However, despite the numerous times I have seen people eat mashed potatoes; I can never bring myself to try it. I have never eaten potatoes and do not thing I will ever try eating any meal that contains potatoes.

Potatoes are used to make fries and other assorted meals. However, I think they are dirty and ugly before and after preparation. In particular, mashed potatoes look like food that has been chewed and spitted out. The color is not appealing and the smell is appalling. My dislike for potatoes has been worsened by the revelation that they can make people fat.

It is very difficult for me to explain my dislike for this meal. This is because mashed potatoes are a delicacy for most people (my family included). It is very difficult to visit a home that does not cook this meal especially during the festive seasons. I have done research to try and figure out why I do not like potatoes. At first, I thought there was a scientific explanation as to why people dislike certain foods. My results were inconclusive. I am not allergic to potatoes, but I think my dislike is derived from the way they look before and after they are cooked.

Exit process evaluation

As a child, I always accompanied my mother to the market to buy food stuff. As is with most markets, there are various smells that cover the air. Some smells are enticing (for example, fruits and herbs) and some are awful (raw meat and potatoes). The more I went to the market, the more I disliked potatoes. I accidentally stepped on a potato and I never liked how it felt, looked or smelled.

Similarly, the fact that people around me preferred mashed potatoes as a common dish made me dislike it even more. At home, my mother could prepare mashed potatoes at least three times a week. Similarly, at school, the cafeteria served this meal at least twice every week. In both cases, mashed potatoes never look appealing or appetizing. My friend and family members have on numerous occasions tried to convince me to try eating mashed potatoes or even fries. However, I always feel nauseated by the thought of putting a spoonful in my mouth.

Furthermore, nowadays there are generic brands of instant mashed potatoes being sold. Most people I have met complain that these brands taste awful. It is becoming difficult to separate the real potatoes from the generic ones in stores. However, if the real potatoes are not as good, I do not think that the generic ones will be better. As such, I do not think that I will ever eat mashed potatoes.

Conclusion

Food plays a major role in our societies. However, cultural differences among people dictate their preferences for various meals. In my case, I never liked chicken soup. However, after interacting with people who prefer it and know how to prepare this meal, it became part of my repertoire. Despite my tolerance for certain foods, I do not and cannot eat mashed potatoes. I believe that everyone has a right to make personal choices in regard to food preferences. I have made my choices and I will stick to those choices until proven otherwise.

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