WRIT Reflection

Through this writing course I have gained appreciation for writing about food. I never realized the extent to which food can be written about through culture, diet, personal preferences, or production of food items. In this course I was able to explore many different research writing techniques. I was able to research the production of honey while also analyzing different food commercials. There are many different ways about writing a research paper. In this class I was able to enhance writing research papers, but also expand my knowledge about food advertisements, my personal views, and interesting food facts. In the future I plan to use this knowledge to expand upon my previous papers. I have learned that food is not only a thing to talk about, but can be expressed through writing about food beliefs and opinions. 

Changing Eating Habits: Breakfast Eater’s Manifesto

Food is full of nutrients, giving the body energy for the entire day. Then why are so many individuals skipping breakfast? After observing fellow college students, I notice that many skip breakfast and head straight to class, occasionally grabbing something from their room to eat along the way. Mornings can be difficult, especially for a college student who goes to bed at two in the morning and wakes up less than six hours later for class. Some experts consider breakfast the most important meal of the day. Whether it is for nutrients or energy supply, breakfast must not be skipped and is an important issue in today’s health conscious society.

While growing up, I ate breakfast every morning with my family. The options ranged from a tomato omelet compliment of my parents, to cinnamon swirl French toast, to the “I’m too hungry to prepare something” cereal with banana. While it was habit, I got to spend time with my family when we were busy throughout the rest of the day. I ate breakfast because I was told to for good reason: “Breakfast is touted as the most important meal of the day” (Albertson et. al 1). Research shows that starting off with a well-balanced nutritional breakfast prepares you for the rest of the day. As a child I was extremely active, constantly running from school to sports. The extra boost in the morning gave me the necessary energy to start my day off right. As a child I never considered skipping breakfast.

Due to busy family schedules, changes in breakfast eating habits, and society’s strong focus on academic achievement, children have become a strong focus in the debate about whether breakfast is essential in the morning. Doctors and pediatricians strongly promote eating breakfast, but there is a shocking percentage of youth that go to school with their stomachs empty. A survey conducted by Mary Shaw in Australia shows the magnitude of not eating breakfast. In this survey around seven hundred thirteen-year-olds were observed in their daily eating habits. In total, 12% of those studied skipped breakfast: 18% of total females and 5.3% of total males surveyed. Additionally, the females were three times more likely to skip breakfast and lunch than males. The children gave various reasons for skipping: not having enough time in the morning, not hungry, unappealing choices, or not wanting to eat alone. Those who ate breakfast in the morning usually ate with a family member.

Depleting the body of required nutrients results in decreased energy and performance of the body throughout the day. According to Shaw’s study, “skipping breakfast has deleterious effects upon various aspects of cognitive functioning” (1). Those that skipped were inattentive and apathetic which negatively affected their performance at school both in reading and physical activity. Running short on time is common for a student. During high school if my alarm didn’t go off in the morning I was forced to quickly get dressed, gather my homework, and head out of the house without eating breakfast. I lagged throughout the day till lunch. Since then, if I am short on time I will grab something to go and eat on my way.

In Shaw’s study of children, the impact of skipping breakfast went beyond lack of energy throughout the day. The girls who skipped breakfast were more concerned about their body image and had a greater chance of developing an eating disorder if they had not already developed one. In both genders, only fifty percent were happy with their body image; the others either wanted to increase or decrease their weight (Shaw 3).  

Mary Shaw’s study also analyzed family income, ethnicity, and married parents in relation to eating breakfast. The study found Caucasians skipped a lower percentage of meals when compared to other ethnicities. The status of parents—married or divorced—was not a significant factor while family income was: wealth was correlated with an increase of skipped breakfasts. This study shows just a few of the various elements that influence a child’s eating habits.

Breakfast is not just important for a child, but is important for someone’s health throughout their entire life. A study done in 1976 by Belloc and Breslow shows the long-term effects of eating breakfast. Having breakfast was linked to a longer life span than skipping breakfast. The mortality rate of men was .055 compared to 0.132 for not eating breakfast. The females did not show as much of a drastic change. Athletes benefit eating breakfast to fuel their higher rates of physical activity which then translates into a lower body mass index. A person is able to have an overall higher quality of life by eating breakfast. Breakfast has positive effects over someone’s entire life; by starting this habit young, it is easier to continue eating breakfast throughout one’s lifetime.

Breakfast positively increases one’s health, but certain foods consumed can counteract the benefits of eating breakfast. When running short on time for work or class I look for the simplest breakfast option; when at home this may be a piece of toast or dry cereal, but on the road it typically consists of donuts, muffins, or pastries. While I am at home and have time to spare, I am able to open up the refrigerator and choose fruit, cereal with milk, or make myself an omelet. When out of town or running into the nearest coffee shop, the options are limited. It is easy to find healthy options at home, but on the go the simplest and cheapest options are to grab a muffin or pastry from a coffee shop. While this option is delicious and provides the body with some energy in the morning, it is not the right thing to eat overall. A blueberry muffin from Starbucks Coffee contains 370 calories (Starbucks.com) while a bowl of cheerios with milk contains around 150 calories. The muffin contains many unwanted calories and fills up the body with added sugars and fats. This will not provide sustained energy, and thus one may eat another thing shortly after.

As with the Starbucks example, there is an observed correlation between convenience and nutrition. Extra minutes in the morning can affect whether someone sits down to eat a bowl of cereal or grabs a muffin on the go: one option fills the individual up and the other option leaves the person wanting something more to eat. As a college student, it is easy to get a nutritious breakfast if you leave time in the morning. If heading straight to class, food carts provide a quick but not as healthy bagel or muffin.

            When looking for something nutritious to eat in the morning I consider toast with peanut butter, an omelet, bowl of fruit, or cereal. The nutritional aspect of these never seemed that important until I came by an article focusing on the different types of breakfast options people consume. Research by Albertson (et al.) concentrates on the benefits of eating cereal over other options in the morning. It was found that cereal provides fiber, iron, and less fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol than other non-cereal options. When cereal was consumed in the morning, there was an increase in fiber and carbohydrate consumption with a decrease in fat consumption through the rest of the day. Throughout the day, energy levels were up with increased physical activity. Their research additionally shows that eating cereal correlates to a “consumption of other nutritious foods and displaces less healthful foods” (Albertson et al.).

When analyzing these studies and results I am encouraged to consume cereal in the morning everyday. Skipping breakfast has never been a problem for me; whether it is for school or sports, I will wake up the extra fifteen minutes and eat a well-balanced nutritional meal. I never contemplated the different choices I made relative to what I eat for breakfast; by allowing extra minutes in the morning to eat I am able to eat a range of choices. The breakfast options I eat range from an omelet, bowl of cereal or fruit, wheat toast, or French toast. After analyzing these studies’ results I am convinced to consume cereal in the morning everyday.

After observing their nutritional statistics, there is a significant difference among calories, fats, sugars, and nutrients consumed between cereal and non-cereal breakfasts. It is important to note that some cereals can be unhealthy compared to an omelet and toast; it is important to distinguish which cereals are healthy to eat in the morning. Some health options include Kashi Blueberry Clusters, Bear Naked Granola, and General Mills Whole Grain Cheerios (Liles 3). When growing up sugary cereals were prohibited from my household; I ate cheerios and other cereal that was classified as healthy. Whenever I have cereal, I have it with skim milk, supplying a large amount of calcium for the day.

This research prompts me to analyze the food choices I make following breakfast for snacks, lunch, and dinner. Albertson’s (et al.) study states that eating cereal is correlated with “increased consumption of fiber and carbohydrates and decreased consumption of fats across all times of day” (Albertson et al.). I am urged to make my self a bowl of cereal everyday; by starting with cereal in the morning, I am more likely to consume healthier options throughout the entire day. Many times when the dining halls present unappealing food I opt for a bowl of cereal. This is usually not the heart healthy cheerios, but still gives me the nutrients I need to finish the day.  

After analyzing both studies (Shaw and Albertson et al.), it is clearly evident that children who consume breakfast in the morning, specifically cereal, will be better off for the rest of the day. Children have been a strong focus because of recent studies on their behavior and academic achievement, but breakfast is important for all age groups. Implementing a breakfast routine when young will encourage children to consume food in the morning when they grow older. 

While observing my friends in college I notice many going straight to class, skipping breakfast, and not eating anything till lunch. Getting up an extra fifteen minutes before class is worth the gained nutrients and energy to start the day. Many breakfast items can contain high amounts of fats and sugars, but chosen correctly, they can be very beneficial. A well-balanced nutritional meal in the morning may not always be available, but eating something for breakfast is better than eating nothing. Shaw and Albertson (et al.) have studied the benefits of breakfast and the consequences that can result after skipping this meal. According to Shaw’s study, a significant number of youth are skipping breakfast. Encouraging children at a young age is the only way to continue the beneficial habit of eating breakfast in the morning.  While it may be inconvenient, too expensive on the road, or one is not hungry, breakfast plays such an important role in one’s day and it should not be skipped. 

Bibliography:

Albertson, Ann M., et al. “Consumption of Breakfast Cereal is Associated with Positive Health Outcomes: Evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.” Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) 28.11 (2008): 744-52. Ebsco Host. Web. 22 May. 2012.

Belloc, Nedra. "Relationship of Health Practices and Mortality." ScienceDirect. Preventive Medicine, 2004. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0091743573900091>.

"Bountiful Blueberry Muffin." Starbucks Coffee Company. 2011. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bakery/bountiful-blueberry-muffin?foodZone=9999>.

Liles, Valerie. "Top 5 Healthy Cereals." LIVESTRONG.COM. Demand Media Inc., 5 May 2011. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/435994-top-5-healthy-cereals/>.

Shaw, Mary E. "Adolescent Breakfast Skipping: An Australian Study." Adolescence. The University of Queensland, 1998. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:7963/ms_ad_33_98.pdf>.

Breakfast Eater's Manifesto- rough draft

Food is full of nutrients, giving the body energy for the entire day. Then why are so many individuals skipping breakfast? After observing fellow colleges, I notice many skip breakfast and head straight to class, occasionally grabbing something from their room to eat along the way. Mornings can be difficult, especially for a college student who goes to bed at two in the morning and wakes up less than six hours later for class. Some individuals consider breakfast the most important meal of the day. Whether it is for nutrients or energy supply breakfast must not be skipped. Due to a change in habits, children have become a strong focus in the debate whether breakfast is essential in the morning. This topic may be open to discussion, but research proves the benefits of eating certain foods in the morning.

Doctors and pediatricians strongly promote eating breakfast, but there is a shocking percentage of youth that go to school with their stomachs empty. A survey conducted by Mary Shaw in Australia shows the magnitude of not eating breakfast. In this survey around seven hundred thirteen-year-olds were observed in their daily eating habits. In total, 12% of those studied skipped breakfast: 18% of total females and 5.3% of total males surveyed. Additionally, the females were three times more likely to skip breakfast and lunch than males. The children gave various reasons for skipping: not having enough time in the morning, not hungry, unappealing choices, or not wanting to eat alone. For those who ate breakfast in the morning, they usually ate with a family member.

Shaw’s study also analyzed family income, ethnicity, married parents, and family income in relation to eating breakfast. The study found Caucasians having a lower percentage of meals skipped compared to other ethnicities. The status of parents—married or divorced—was not a significant factor while family income was: wealth was correlated with an increase of skipped breakfasts. This study shows just a few of the various elements that influence a child’s eating habits.

“Breakfast is touted as the most important meal of the day” (Albertson et. al 1) for its many benefits. Research shows that starting off with a well-balanced nutritional breakfast sets you ahead for the rest of the day. Children are extremely active, constantly running from school to sports. Higher rates of physical activity can be linked to breakfast as well as improved nutrition and a lower body mass index. With an overall higher quality of life, one is able to start their day off better by eating breakfast.

These benefits counteract the negative effects of not consuming food in the morning. Depleting the body of required nutrients results in decreased energy and performance of the body throughout the day. According to Shaw’s study, “skipping breakfast has deleterious effects upon various aspects of cognitive functioning” (Shaw 1). Those that skipped were inattentive, apathetic, and this negatively affected their performance at school in either reading or physical activity. Energy is not the only consequence of not eating in the morning. The girls who skipped breakfast were more concerned about their body image and had a greater chance of developing an eating disorder if not already done so. For both genders, only fifty percent were happy with their body image; the others wanted to either increase or decrease their weight (Shaw 3).

These negative effects continue onto adulthood unless certain habits are changed. A study done in 1976 by Belloc and Breslow shows the long-term effects of eating breakfast. This was linked to a longer life span than those that skipped breakfast. The mortality rate of men was .055 compared to 0.132 for not eating breakfast. The females did not show as much of a drastic change. Breakfast has effects over someone’s entire life. By starting this habit young, it is easier to continue eating breakfast throughout one’s lifetime.

            Breakfast positively increases one’s health, but certain foods consumed can counteract the benefits of eating breakfast. When running short on time for work or class I look for the simplest breakfast option; when at home this may be a piece of toast or dry cereal, but on the road it is typically consists of donuts, muffins, or pastries. While at home and have time to spare, I am able to open up the refrigerator and choose fruit, cereal with milk, or make myself an omelet. When out of town or running into the nearest coffee shop, the options are limited. It is easy to find healthy options at home, but on the go the simplest and cheapest options are to grab a muffin or pastry from Starbucks Coffee. While this option is delicious and is providing the body with some energy in the morning, it is overall not the right thing to eat. A blueberry muffin from Starbucks Coffee contains 370 calories (Starbucks.com) while a bowl of cheerios with milk contains around 150 calories. The muffin contains many unwanted calories and fills up the body with added sugars and fats. This will not provide sustained energy and thus one will have to go and eat another thing shortly after. As with the Starbucks example, there is an observed correlation between convenience and nutrition. Extra minutes in the morning can affect whether someone sits down to eat a bowl of cereal or grabs a muffin on the go: one option filling the individual up and the other option leaving the person wanting something else to eat.

            Research has been done by Albertson (et al.) on the different types of breakfast options people consume. Their research and study concentrates on the benefits of eating cereal over other options in the morning. It was found that cereal provides fiber, iron, and less fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol than other non-cereal options. When cereal was consumed in the morning, there was an increase in fiber and carbohydrate consumption with a decrease in fat consumption through the rest of the day. Throughout the day, energy levels were up with increased physical activity. Their research additionally shows that eating cereal correlates to a “consumption of other nutritious foods and displaces less healthful foods” (Albertson et al.).

When analyzing these studies results I am enticed to consume cereal in the morning everyday. Skipping breakfast has never been a problem for me; whether it is for school or sports, I will wake up the extra fifteen minutes and eat a well-balanced nutritional meal. I have never contemplated the different choices I choose to eat for breakfast; by allowing extra minutes in the morning to eat I am able to make a piece of toast or bowl of cereal than grab a muffin to take to school. Breakfast options I eat range from an omelet, bowl of cereal or fruit, wheat toast, or French toast. After analyzing these studies’ results I am enticed to consume cereal in the morning everyday. When observing their statistics, there is a significant difference among calories, fats, sugars, and nutrients consumed between cereal and non-cereal breakfasts. There is still the possibility of cereals being more unhealthy than having an omelet and toast. Growing up, sugary cereals were prohibited from my household. I grew up eating cheerios and cereals classified as being healthier. Whenever I have cereal, I have it with skim milk, supplying a large amount of calcium for the day.  

This research prompts me to analyze the food choices I make following breakfast for snacks, lunch, and dinner. Albertson’s (et al.) study states that eating cereal is correlated with “increased consumption of fiber and carbohydrates and decreased consumption of fats across all times of day” (Albertson et al.). I am urged to make my self a bowl of cereal everyday; by starting with cereal in the morning, I am more likely to consume healthier options throughout the entire day. Many times when the dining halls present unappealing food I opt for a bowl of cereal. This is usually not the heart healthy cheerios, but gives me the nutrients to finish the day.  

After analyzing both studies (Shaw and Albertson et al.), it is clearly evident that children who consume breakfast in the morning, specifically cereal, will be better off for the rest of the day. Children have been a strong focus because of recent studies on their behavior, but breakfast is important for all individuals. Implementing a breakfast routine when young will encourage children to consume food in the morning when they grow older. 

I grew up sitting at the dining table every morning having breakfast whether it included a bowl of cheerios, a grapefruit, an omelet, or a piece of toast with Skippy crunchy peanut butter. I never stopped this routine when I grew older: While it was habit, the rest of my family ate in the morning and this was time to spend together as a family when we were busy through the rest of the day.

While observing my friends in college I notice many going straight to class, skipping breakfast, and not eating anything till lunch. Getting up an extra fifteen minutes before class is worth the gained nutrients and energy to start the day. Many breakfast items can contain high amounts of fats and sugars, but chosen correctly, they can be very beneficial. A well-balanced nutritional meal in the morning may not always be available, but something is always better than nothing. Shaw and Albertson (et al.) have studied the benefits of breakfast and the consequences that can result after skipping this meal. According to Shaw’s study, a significant number of youth are skipping breakfast. Encouraging children at a young age is the only way to continue the beneficial habit of eating breakfast in the morning.  While it may be inconvenient, too expensive on the road, or one is not hungry, breakfast plays such an important role in one’s day and should not be skipped.

Deciding What to Consume

American citizens have always been concerned with what to eat. We cling to the newest diet told by nutritionists, doctors, or magazines. Pollan says this clearly: “Humans deciding what to eat without expert help […] is seriously unprofitable if you’re a food company, distinctly risky if you’re a nutritionist and just plain boring if you’re a newspaper editor or journalist” (2). Even though nutrition is the key topic among the latest food trends, starting advice was based off of religion and angels. As time passed, scientists and professionals gave advice over newly discovered vitamins, germs, and calories.

Our ancestors chose what to eat when it fell out of a tree; there were no added preservatives or fats in their food items. Overtime, food values and views have changed to what is healthy and popular to eat. During the 1800’s, meat was a “sign of white citizenship” (Dupuis 40). Consuming red meat was popular and the latest trend, and thus the American diet became a meat-centered diet. This diet also consisted of eating more, shifting focus to optimum health rather than the cheapest meal one can consume by World War I.

Overtime, faith has been lost in religion and science as guiding us to what we choose to eat. We, as Americans, rely on the latest magazine article, written by any doctor or professional, to guide our decisions. As long as the author holds a doctorate degree, a common citizen considers their opinion and advice credible. It was once popular to eat meat, but now large consumption is condemned due to the large health risks. We no longer make our own decisions of what to eat; we choose to eat based off of what others tell us and what is healthy. 

Interesting Food/Nutrition Facts

When reading over the classes blog posts I found some very interesting facts regarding food and their nutrition. The first blog was about eating cereal for breakfast. It was intriguing that even though cereal is found to be full of sugar, it is better than other options. I have cereal on occasion, but now I am prompted to have it more often for breakfast. The second post I read was about pop. It was shocking to know that drinking pop increases hunger but decreases desire for dairy products. 

Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of the Day?

Mornings can be very stressful: finding something to wear, gathering homework from the night before, and eating something before the bus comes. Eating breakfast before school starts has progressively become uncommon for many children. Observing fellow colleges, I have noticed that many skip breakfast and head straight to class, occasionally grabbing a bagel off the food cart. Mornings can be difficult, especially for a college student who goes to bed at two in the morning and wakes up less than six hours later for class. This has never been a problem for me; whether it is for school or sports, I will wake up the extra fifteen minutes and eat a well-balanced nutritional meal. Some individuals consider breakfast the most important meal of the day. Whether it is for nutrients or energy supply breakfast must not be skipped, and this has become a strong focus regarding children.

Doctors and pediatricians strongly promote eating breakfast, but there is a shocking percentage of youth that go to school with their stomachs empty. A survey conducted by Mary Shaw in Australia shows the magnitude of not eating breakfast. In this survey around 700 thirteen-year-olds were observed in their daily eating habits. In total, 12% of those studied skipped breakfast: 18% of total females and 5.3% of total males surveyed. Additionally, the females were three times more likely to skip breakfast and lunch than males. The children gave various reasons for skipping: not having time in the morning, not hungry, unappealing choices, or not wanting to eat alone. For those who ate breakfast in the morning, they usually ate with a family member.

Shaw’s study also analyzed family income, ethnicity, married parents, and family income in relation to eating breakfast. The study found Caucasians having a lower percentage of meals skipped compared to other ethnicities. The status of parents—married or divorced—was not significant while a family with a higher income skipped breakfast more. This study shows just a few of the various elements that influence a child’s eating habits.

The push for youth eating breakfast is a result of the researched consequences of not consuming a well-balanced nutritional meal in the morning. Depleting the body of required nutrients results in decreased energy and performance of the body throughout the day. In Shaw’s study, those that skipped breakfast were inattentive, apathetic, and this negatively affected their performance at school. Energy is not the only consequence of not eating in the morning. The girls who skipped breakfast were more concerned about their body image and had a greater chance of developing an eating disorder if not already done so. For both genders, only fifty percent were happy with their body image; the others wanted to either increase or decrease their weight. These effects continue onto adulthood unless habits are changed.  

            I grew up sitting at the dining table every morning having breakfast whether it included a bowl of cheerios, grapefruit, omelet, or a piece of toast with crunchy peanut butter. I never stopped this routine when I grew older, mainly because it was habit and the rest of my family ate in the morning. While observing my friends in college I have noticed many going straight to class, skipping breakfast, and not eating anything till lunch. Getting up an extra fifteen minutes before class is worth the gained nutrients and energy to start the day. A well-balanced nutritional meal in the morning may not always be available, but something is always better than nothing. According to Shaw’s study, a significant number of youth are skipping breakfast, especially children. Encouraging children at a young age is the only way to continue the beneficial habit of eating breakfast in the morning.