On Regions & Food Choices

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Kelly

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Hope the week is treating you well so far. I was super excited for my lunch of peanut butter, oats, Greek yogurt, strawberries and mango made in a near-empty peanut butter jar on Monday. Too bad I grabbed the wrong peanut butter jar when I was rushing off to work…

Oops. Trader Joe’s and a fruit stand saved the day. (I know NYC has a million take-out lunch options, but I just hate spending $12 on a salad or sandwich, you know?)

Tuesday started off a bit better with a 7.5 mile progression run in Central Park. I decided on a progression run to ease my way back into tempo runs and more speedwork, and stayed on the bridle path to keep the pace under control.

I find that when I stay on the bridle path, my pace is about 20 second slower than when on the roads. Consistent speedwork on the bridle make me feel a little speedier when I stick mainly to the roads – kind of like swimmers who don’t shave their bodies until race day, maybe?

Heaping bowl of Kashi Heart to Heart with berries for breakfast

Anyways, I’ve been thinking. Whenever I travel anywhere, whether it be across the country, ocean, state or just to Brooklyn, I always find myself observing what people are eating. I guess this is kind of a subconscious nutritionist thing, but I really find it fascinating.

I like thinking of and finding connections between the things people are eating and the geographical area they live in, because this almost always influences their choices. For example, growing up in Buffalo (my hometown), pizza, wings and fast food were a staple in my diet and in the diets of mostly everyone I knew.

It’s just the way it was. Pizza, wings and sub restaurants are everywhere you turn, and vegetables were kind of an afterthought at a lot of these places.

When I was in Napa and San Francisco a few weeks ago, the food was fresh and there was a ton of variety. Ingredients were largely local and I never had to hunt for healthy menu options when we dined out.

Living in New York, I’m probably spoiled. Not only are all kinds of restaurants and foods at my fingertips, but the latest food and nutrition trends are everywhere – you can’t help but notice them. (Ok, maybe I’m also a little too in the trenches because I read and learn about this stuff all the time).

But seriously, sometimes I wonder about the advantage I have as a New Yorker, or the advantage others have as San Franciscans, or those that live near organic farms in Maine (you get the idea…) over people that live in other areas when it comes to food and nutrition.

Because you can’t change your habits or lifestyle if you don’t know what you’re doing or putting into your body isn’t so great. If it’s what you grow up on or what you’re surrounded by, whether it be a pizza and wings-based diet, a heavy, fried Southern diet or [insert other regional diet here!], it’s so hard to see things any other way.

I think this is a huge challenge I’ll face as a dietitian in a lot of ways, but one that isn’t going to go away any time soon.

Now you tell me – how did the area you grew up in influence the way you ate (or still eat)? Have you ever changed any of your eating habits based on where you live?

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  • http://www.insightfulappetite.com sofia

    You are so right about different eating patterns in different regions. I grew up in NYC where you really have every kind of eater (and person) with a heavy influence of health foods as a result of our very cosmetic culture. My family in particular was very focused on health foods (more so because my dad is totally insane) and it was neat to be a part of the health foods movement when it was so new- before whole foods and trader joe’s were so big (the Chelsea whole foods was the original in NYC, but I don’t remember shopping there) and when independently owned health food stores dominated. Now there are so few of the m left (like LifeThyme on 6th ave and 8th street) and of course everyone in those stores knows my dad by name. It’s cool to sort of be an early adopter of something that got so so big- I remember when edensoy was one of two or three brands of soy milk. Oh how times have changed!

    • http://www.insightfulappetite.com sofia

      oh, but i must add: i no longer drink soy milk (hurts my stomach), and i don’t necessarily only buy organic produce. i guess my family and city’s habits didn’t have as much of an effect on me in the end!

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      it must have been so cool to grow up here and see the availability of different foods and health food stores evolve. And again, I really like your dad :)

  • http://balancingme.wordpress.com Grace @ Balancing Me

    This is such an interesting post!

    I grew up right around the New York City suburbs, so my style of eating hasn’t really changed too much. My family is Asian, and while I think that may have impacted my eating habits, I also feel like my parents had more of an impact than anything else. My mom stressed healthy eating and we never really had anything processed in our house.

    We also have strange quirks of eating – for example, I could eat what others consider the equivalent of “lunch” or “dinner” for breakfast. I’m just not the type of girl who thinks that such-and-such “can’t” be eaten for breakfast. I can’t stick only to yogurts / fruits / cereal / milk / bagels for breakfast. Sometimes I can literally down a side of veggies, soup, and some chicken / fish by 9am.

    I know, I know … that’s not totally “normal,” but hey, I feel great!

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      haha, I love that! It defintely sounds like the breakfast of champions :)

  • http://secondcityrandomness.wordpress.com Amy @ Second City Randomness

    I refuse to ever spend $12 on lunch. Lucky that you have quick/cheap options near your office!

    The eating habits I have now are far different than the ones I had growing up. In farming communities, where most people are blue collar and doing physical labor all day, dinners and even lunches are often “steak and potato” type meals. When my parents started reading my blog, neither one of them could really understand how I’d go a day without meat. Or not have bread/carbs at every meal. And to be honest, it took a while for my habits to shift, too (which I am happy that they did- I feel much better with “lighter” meals).

  • http://meggiesmith.blogspot.com Meggie

    My eating habits COMPLETELY changed when I moved to NYC 7 years ago, mostly because I was exposed to new goods that people don’t eat in TN! I’ve now become a food snob. And a coffee snob.

  • http://thenchangeit.com Kace

    Well I’m from the land of cheesesteaks and soft pretzels and tastykakes, soo….. yeah haha. Growing up in Philadelphia area you have a lot of Irish and German and Polish and Italian heritage, so we all seem to stick to the meat-and-potatoes (or pasta) diet. When I was younger most meals were just a baked potato and chicken, or pasta and meatballs, etc. Not a lot of veggies or variety. Then again my mom hated veggies…. anyway.

    I don’t know if it’s food network or what, but I’m SUPER into experimenting with different cuisines and veggies and foods. Or maybe it’s just a generational shift; we all want bigger and better and trendier and to seem more worldly? And we all have access to so much more information now. I feel like my friends and I are always trying new places and flavors – living so close to Philly helps with that.

    Very interesting post! Never really thought about it before. But I think the cusisine of a place really goes back to the immigrants who first settled there; the recipes are handed down and tradition is upheld.

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      Yeah, I totally agree with you! Cuisines are definitely influenced by generations and generations and it’s so interesting. And, I think the popularity of Food Network and cooking shows has definitely helped people branch out more with what they eat, which is awesome!

  • http://washingtonranhere.wordpress.com/ sarah

    I think the fresh/healthy/global movement is a lot more accessible these days than it was even 10 years ago, at least in the NY region. Growing up in New Jersey, our going-out staple was diner food – I’m talking cheese fries, fried zucchini, milkshakes, and so on. Not healthy at all. However, with a large Asian population, I did get a good variety of Japanese/Indian influences. With any region, though, it’s just a fact that McDonald’s is going to be at your fingertips. For convenience and instant gratification (not to mention price), it’s hard to beat the drive-thru.

  • http://aliontherun.wordpress.com Ali on the Run

    Nice splits this morning! As always it was a pleasure running into you (even though I was totally that jerk going the “wrong” way on the Bridle Path — though in my defense it was because I needed to get home ASAP!).

    I love this discussion about how regions influence your food choices. I just spent a long weekend in Charlotte where southern food dominates most menus. I kind of let all my regular diet choices go in favor of sampling the cuisine, but boy was I hurting. I feel so lucky to live in NYC where we have so many fresh, healthy options at our fingertips.

    Growing up in New Hampshire didn’t influence me as much by region as by my parents’ eating habits. Lots of processed food, which I didn’t realize was unhealthy until somewhat recently, actually. I was a sucker for Hamburger Helper! We did eat a lot of meat/potatoes/vegetables type meals and I still have a hard time breaking from the fact that each meal needs those three elements to be complete.

    And now I’ve written you an essay. You’re welcome?

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      nah – you weren’t going the wrong way at all! It was great to see you :)

      Oh hamburger helper – I think I ate way too much of that stuff growing up too! Essays from you are always welcome and enjoyed!

  • http://naturallycassie.wordpress.com naturallycassie

    Grew up with healthy bike riding parents who had a huge garden in our back yard, mixed the ‘sweet’ cereals with the ‘regular’ cereals, and always kept us very active. I got older and rebelled, filling my teenage years with junk food and inactivity (of course). Then I came back to the healthy life style they raised me with. In full force, and loving it!

    I loveee checking out the food everywhere that I travel. Whether it be in the next town over, or overseas! I am sooo excited to drive to Maine again this summer. When there, I never have to worry about finding a healthy option.

    • http://naturallycassie.wordpress.com naturallycassie

      By the way, that all happened in New Jersey!

  • http://runnerscookie.com Corey @ the runner’s cookie

    Interesting topic! I grew up picking fruit at local farms, eating home cooked meals almost every night, and fast food was rare. I think my town falls somewhere in the middle of there being a ton of fresh food available everywhere you go and a town consisting of mostly fast food options. In general, I think it was a pretty healthy place to grow up and my family always emphasized supporting local farmers.
    Even within regions every family and individual has their choices. My mom chose to cook most meals at home and teach us the value in eating fruits and veggies, which I definitely appreciated more when I went off to college and was able to make healthy decisions on my own. :)

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      Picking fruit at local farms must have been amazing! And I heart your mom :)

  • http://runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com/ Stephanie

    i never think to put pb into yogurt, i bet it is amazing, good thought

  • http://keepingitrealfood.com Jess

    Diners were a big part of my upbringing (oh, New Jersey…), so I’ve been basically drinking coffee since I was in the womb. Since I grew up so close to NYC, I got to try all different kinds of things. Except falafel—I didn’t have that until I moved to the city. No idea how that happened…

    I find it is much easier to get vegetarian and vegan food here in the city. When my boyfriend and I go to visit my family, it’s a bit harder for him to order in restaurants. Luckily, my mom’s an awesome cook and loves experimenting with new vegetarian recipes when we come over.

  • Nicole

    You definitely bring up a great point…I live in the city too but happen to be home in NJ for the week and I must say I am missing my NYC staples! Obviously the city can be a complete calorie bomb with very indulgent foods but the healthy options are endless as well. I feel like all anyone eats here is Italian food-pizza, pasta, etc. every night! There is not much variety and the portions are huge! I think the only benefit of living out here as far as food goes, is the fact that you can cook more. It is easier to lug groceries when you have a car and can stock up. You also get the option of grilling outside and other methods of cooking which are limited in the city… I only say this because my kitchen is basically a small closet and by the time you buy all the ingredients in NYC, it seems cheaper to get a sub at the deli!

  • http://smilesfromcallie.blogspot.com/ Callie

    I love your reflection on how different locations influence our diet. Being from North Carolina, BBQ and fried food is the norm, but I’ve never cared for it because my mom made dinner every night, which consisted of your protein, carbs and greens. Being involved in sports at a young age also made me more aware of body image hence NO fried food! :) It hasn’t been until this year that I’m actually interested in what individual fruits or veggies can supply me with. Which one is better at reducing bloating or which one is better to fuel up for a run kind of thing. I’ve actually been wanting to buy a book on all of these nutrition questions! Any ideas?

  • http://marathonmaiden.wordpress.com/ marathonmaiden

    well i drink gansett beer now that i live in ri. but, unlike typical new englanders, i don’t really like lobster or clam chowder. i’m a bad new englander.

  • http://koolcatkaren.wordpress.com Karen

    Great post! Kind of similar to what I was thinking about today as I watched people in the break room chow down on a party spread for the staff. It’s interesting for me to watch people mindless eat whatever is in front of them without a seeming care in the world for what they are putting into their body. Looks like you were thinking along the same lines and geographical location! My family always did fast food when we were kids, McDonald’s, Burger King, etc. College was the land of pizza, wings, breadsticks, calzones, and giant subs. You will definitely face some fun and interesting challenges as a dietician. Can’t wait to hear all about them! :)

  • http://whatkateiscooking.com Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    Oooh, I love hearing about stuff like this! I get really excited when I hear about the differences between certain regions of the US- whether it’s food, accents, or whatnot :) Growing up in California has probably spoiled me. I’m used to all kinds of fruits and veggies being available year round, and we have some pretty awesome Mexican food! I don’t really know if there is any cuisine that is specific to Southern California, though.

  • http://lovesweatandbeers.wordpress.com Tiff

    I totally hear ya on this! I was just at my grandfather’s place this weekend, and there are no health food stores or healthy restaurants where he lives. The only healthy places are Subway (eww) and Ruby Tuesdays. The grocery stores carry staples- nothing fancy. You can make a super healthy meal with staples, but if you’re in a Twinkie and Frosted Flakes rut, it may be harder to try new things.

  • http://objectsevents.wordpress.com Lacey

    well i am from NH and still consider it home. my parents go to “the farm” almost every day in summer (produce, fruit- literally a medium sized stand set up at the end of a dirt road that opens up into fields). so i love having that when i go home. other food influences- seasonal fruit picking (apple, blueberry) so i don’ t like eating these fruits unless i picked them. i eat frozen raspberries though b/c i have those every morning.

    in general i have always been vigiliant about what i eat. i started being a vegetarian in middle school. i’ve always been an athlete, so i had certain “refueling” needs to be met, and it wasn’t until the end of high school that i really started thinking about ingredients, food group balancing, and what is “healthy”. college was easy because in vermont, my school has won runner up for best dining commons in the country (my brother’s school gets first place!!!). so we always had lots of fresh, local food, vegetarian options, soy milk, you could make requests, etc.

    i actually have a nutritionist now and i would say my eating is probably at it’s most “sophisticated” in terms of balance all around. i work with her in terms of exchanges instead of calories, and i have to say it is AWESOME. do you have a certain approach you are going to take in your nutrition career?

  • http://shesgoingdistance.blogspot.com Monique

    haha the first (and I think only looking back) time I made oats in a jar I made the same mistake. There was WAY too much peanut butter. I was licking my lips and teeth for like an hour after haha. Glad you were able to salvage the meal :)

  • http://leashieloo.wordpress.com leashieloo

    The Midwest definitely affects the way I eat. TONS of comfort here, but luckily a lot of delish produce as well from local farmers. It’s a nice balancing act.

  • http://thisitalianfamily.wordpress.com Rach @ This Italian Family

    Oh I definitely think there can be generalizations like that. I mean, not everyone eats based on their surroundings, but I understand what you’re saying. Living in China meant I ate a diet full of fresh veggies, fruit, rice and noodles with fish as the main source of “meat”. Mmmm.. just thinking about it makes me hungry for home, haha! But now I’m married into an Italian family and we eat TONS of pasta and pizza. ;)

  • http://findingblissforme.wordpress.com Emily

    Your question is an interesting one that I’ve actually been thinking about. Since moving to Seattle (from Minneapolis) almost 2 years ago I’ve been much more interested in eating local and trying to get humane animal protein sources. I don’t know if it is Seattle’s influence, me being more ‘whole foods’ interested, or the general public’s increasing interest in sustainable food. Huh. Great post!

  • http://shannalikebanana.wordpress.com Shanna, like Banana

    I grew up in WI, but never enjoyed a lot of meat, never have liked beer and avoid fried foods. I now live in Cali, near SF and love that I can indulge in all the healthy choices — I feel quite lucky!