Foods that americans like

Because so many different people live in the United States, many different foods are found here as well. Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Lebanese and Indian – these are just a few of the different foreign foods that Americans enjoy.

Many Americans also love local foods that are special to their area of the country. In the southern state of Louisiana, people enjoy spicy Cajun and Creole foods. Creole uses traditional French cooking with Spanish, African, Native Ame­ri­can and other influences. The city of New Orleans is known for its Creole, while Cajun is more popular in other areas. There are differences between the two kinds of cooking. Many have been lost, though, as Louisiana food has gained national appeal.

In the middle of the United States, farmers grow wheat, corn and other grains. Corn boiled in water is especially popular here. But Americans every­where like to eat corn that expands with a loud noise when heated – popcorn. It is popular at movies.

In the northern state of Wisconsin, farmers raise a lot of cows, so people eat a lot of milk products, like cheese. And in coastal states, especially, people love fresh seafood. In Maine, boiled lobster is popular with local citizens and travelers. This shellfish is caught in traps that are set on the bottom of the water.

Some foods are enjoyed all over the country. These include pizza. This large, flat bread is usually round and covered with cheese, tomato sauce and other toppings. Another food is ice cream, a sweet frozen milk product. Fried potatoes cooked in oil are also popular, and often eaten with hamburgers. Really these are not made with ham from a pig, but with beef from a cow. Still another favorite is chocolate.

Americans call foods without much health value “junk food”. Junk food is one reason the number of overweight people in the United States and other countries has increased. Public health officials say more than six­ty percent of American adults are overweight or obese. Not only do many people eat junk food, they also eat more food than they burn off as energy. This energy im­balance leads to weight gain. Officials are urging Ameri­cans to exercise more and to eat more fruits and vegetables in place of foods high in fats and sweeteners.

American Mosaic 06/20/2008

Vocabulary notes

Lebanese ["lebq'nI(:)z] ливанский

gain national appeal – завоевать признание по всей стране

corn – кукуруза

grains – зерновые

expand [Iks'pxnd] увеличи­вать­ся в объеме

when heated – при нагревании

cow – корова

shellfish – моллюск, ракообразное

trap – ловушка

flat bread – плоская лепешка

hamburger ['hxmbq:gq] гамбургер

obese [qu'bI(:)s] тучный, страдающий ожирением

imbalance [Im'bxlqns] дисбаланс, несоответствие

high in fats and sweeteners – с высоки содержанием жиров и подсластителей

Analyze the following words

different American traditional

shellfish topping overweight

official sweetener hamburger

national coastal seafood

Find the English equivalents

Также; местная еда, блюда местной кухни; характерный для данной местности; острая пища; традиционная французская кухня; славиться чем-л.; различия между двумя способами приготовления пищи; завоевывать признание по всей стране; выращивать зерновые культуры; особенно по­пу­лярный; с громким шумом; при нагревании; прибрежные штаты; свежие морепродукты; популярный среди местных жителей; по всей стране; готовить на растительном масле; еще одно любимое блюдо; люди с избыточной массой тела; энергетический дисбаланс; приводить к набору веса; призывать кого-л. что-л.; богатая жирами пища, вместо чего-л.

Comprehension questions

1. ? Why are there so many different foods in the United States?

2. What foreign foods do Americans enjoy?

3. What does the author mean by ‘local food’?

4. What foods are particularly popular in southern states?

5. And what do they like to eat in northern states?

6. What do people like to eat in coastal states? What foods are enjoyed all over the country?

7. Which of the foods mentioned in the article are also popular in our country?

8. Are they all healthy?

9. What do we call food without much health value?

10. What are the results of eating too much junk food?

11. How many Americans are obese or overweight?

12. What can lead to obesity?

13. What is an energy disbalance?

14. What do public health officials urge Americans eat instead of foods high in fats?

15. Is the problem of weight gain equally serious in our country?

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ACTIVE VOCABULARY

bone – кость

delay [dI'leI] отсрочить, задер­жать, препятствовать

develop [dI'velqp] развивать

development [dI'velqpmqnt] раз­витие

distance ['dIst(q)ns] дистанция, расстояние

gain – извлекать пользу, выи­грывать, достигать

injury ['InG(q)rI] повреждение, травма

intense [In'tens] интенсивный, напряженный

lose weight – худеть, терять вес

lower ['lquq] уменьшать, сни­жать

physical ['fIzIk(q)l] физический

reduce [rI'dju:s] понижать, уменьшать, сокращать

researcher [rI'sq:Cq] исследо­ватель

strengthen ['streNT(q)n] укреп­лять

suffer ['sAfq] страдать, испы­тывать

Practise aloud

blood weight strengthen

develop delay intense

development injury physical

arthritis diabetes pressure

muscle calcium researcher