Working Class/Low-income or Poor
Where do you live/ what type of housing?
Delta Gamma Sorority
Describe the food situation where you live. I.e is food provided to you, do you cook for yourself, do you use a meal plan, etc.
Delta Gamma Sorority- Food is provided 3 times a day; limited space to cook your own food, if you have your own food it has to be ready made or microwaveable, no meals on weekends. Have to go out of your way to buy food.
Do you feel comfortable with the food situation you have? Why or why not?
It’s comfortable in that everything is accessible and it’s convenient to have food ready made, but it’s not exactly what I would choose to eat if I were at home, which makes me uncomfortable. But I am grateful for what we have, I appreciate it.
What is most important to you when deciding what and when and where you are going to eat?
What- If I will be full and it won’t hurt my stomach, I have had stomach problems in the past but it has gotten better.
When- when I have time, my class schedule is block so I bring bars a lot of the time. Weekends it depends on if I’m hungry and able to pay for it. I don’t like paying for food. I end up getting hungry and eating unhealthy food on the weekends.
Do you feel that other people in your house and in the community respect your food choices?
Yes, nobody ever comments which is a change from my hometown, also I don’t have my sisters who are mean about food. People talk about food a lot at home. Working out and food takes up our lives at home- its what my family does. I don’t have that here, which is almost an issue.
Do you feel any cultural connection to the food you eat? Emotional?
No cultural, but my family makes dishes that me me feel nostalgic and comforted. My Mom’s love language is food so food is very important to us on a respect level.
I have always had a weird relationship with food because of high school, but being in college has been a positive reinforcement for body image.
How important is the price of the food in determining what you will eat?
It should be more. I used to be very thrifty when it came to food, but now I get hungry more often and post mate food and spend more money than I would like. I have been choosing convenience bc school has been so hard so i have been prioritizing that over money and health.
How important is nutrition in determining what you eat?
When I am at school it’s not that important, i think more about getting filled up so i don’t have to think about food later. At home it is really important to me and my family. At summer camp we eat very unhealthy as well.
If you are able, could you define your food preferences? For ex. Vegan, paleo, raw, etc.
I go through fads, I was gluten free for 2 years bc of stomach issues, but am not anymore bc I am better and convenience. I would go through swings of not eating sugar or carbs. I would use control over food to control myself and my actions in high school.
Do you feel free to make your own food choices, or are external factors restricting you?
Yes, it’s sometimes hard when we have food made for us, if I am paying for food here it’s hard to justify getting other food that I would prefer. I’m happiest when I’m not thinking about food, but I do want to feel good about myself, so I go back and forth between restricting myself and not being as happy or not thinking about it and not being as confident in my body.
Would you change anything about the way you eat? If you could what would it be? Are you able to make this change?
I wish the food here was more like at home with wholesome, healthier ingredients. I feel better eating at home, that’s why I work out more here to feel better about what I eat. My identity has always revolved around food and working out as an ex-athlete, so I wish I was better about what I eat and having self discipline.
How much do you typically spend on food per day? Per week?
$40 a week including coffee.
Do you follow nutritional recommendations provided by the government?
I don’t even think the food pyramid is relevant anymore. No, I don’t. Kids aren’t really taught that any more
Do you consider yourself a healthy eater?
When I try yes, I believe that I eat well but I am hard on myself, and drink too much coffee. I can’t stay awake without it and I don’t have time to take naps anymore.
Who do you eat with?
Whoever is sitting at dg, or my roommates, bc then we don’t have to interact with other people while we eat.
What do you eat with your family?
Everything is well made, high quality, I feel good about eating all types of foods, bc they are so high quality and healthy. It is a very positive way of eating food.
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