INTRODUCTION

The culture of the United States is primarily a Western culture, but is also influenced by Native American, African, Asian, Polynesian, and Latin American cultures. American culture started its formation over 10,000 years ago with the migration of Paleo-Indians from Asia into the region that is today the continental United States. It has its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, andfolklore. The United States of America is an ethnically and racially diverse country as a result of large-scale immigration from many different countries throughout its history

1. 20% of meals are eaten in the car. 2. In 2000, Americans consumed an average of 57 more pounds of meat than in the 1950s. 3. According to a 2000 Roper Reports survey, 70 percent of Americans over 18 years old admit that they ate, "pretty much whatever they want." 4. Less than 1/3 of Americans eat more than 1 fruit per day. 5. 1 in 4 Americans consume fast food every day. 6. In 2000, Americans ate 52 teaspoonfuls of added sugar per day. 7. There are almost 50,000 fast food chain restaurants in the United States. 8. About 1/4 of Americans eat more than 2 vegetables per day. 9. Americans spend $100 billion on fast food every year. 10. America's consumption of corn sweeteners (i.e. high fructose corn syrup) hasoctupled (8x) since the 1950s. 11. In 2001, Americans spent 10% of their disposable income on food.

In 1991, it was 11.6%. In 1971, it was 13.4%.

Americans tend to eat a full meal for breakfast when they bother to eat that meal at all. They prefer sweet foods (fruit, pancakes, cereals) for their first meal of the day and tend to pair them with eggs and or meats (usually pork like bacon or sausage). They tend to have their smallest and most casual meal at lunch which can be a smaller version of a dinner

meal but is more commonly a sandwich, some leftovers, soup, noodles or a yogurt and some fruit. Dinner is eaten pretty early compared to a lot of other nations. Americans prefer to eat dinner between 6-7pm. This is the biggest meal of the day and usually consists of meat (or other protein), a carb (potatoes, bread) and at least one vegetable (corn, peas, broccoli). Many Americans tend to drink soft drinks with their meals although a lot of parents insist on milk. And Americans tend to prefer large quantities of beverages, they can easily go through two or three 22oz cups of water, juice, soda or milk during a meal. Although in restaurants these contain a significant volume of ice.