Table of ContentsTraditional Cuisine and CultureFast FoodCigarette and Alcohol ConsumptionEmotional StressQuoted by Brillat-Savarin (1826), this states that the food we eat has a great impact on our well-being and health. Eating habits refer to what, how, when and in what quantities an individual eats. As for Mauritians, it is true that eating habits are influenced by various factors. Obesity and other health problems can be attributed to this lifestyle. This essay will analyze in more detail the eating habits of the people of Mauritius and the dangers associated with them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayTraditional Food and CultureAccording to McGruther (2018), “traditional foods are the foods that nourished our ancestors throughout the history and prehistory before the advent of food industrialization. » Mauritius being a multicultural country, its traditional food comes from various parts of the world like India, China, Africa and Europe. Comparing the times of our ancestors and the foods we eat today, the composition of traditional Mauritian food has changed dramatically. In the past, it consisted mainly of green vegetables, root vegetables, cereals and fresh cow's milk, whereas today it includes, among others, curry, "chili cake", "rougaille" and fruit salad, which are usually very fatty and salty. In particular, Indo-Mauritians keep their culinary traditions emanating from India and these meals tend to be very high in calories. This dietary behavior has proven to be harmful in the long term for the population, leading to various chronic health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, due to lack of physical exercise. Thus, it can be said that the eating habits of Mauritians are influenced by traditional cuisine, which in turn can lead to long-term health problems. Fast Food As described by the National Institutes of Health (2017), “fast foods are characterized as fast, easily accessible, and inexpensive alternatives to home-cooked meals. (Hellesvig-Gaskell, 2017) Following industrialization, the way of life of Mauritians took on a more Western aspect; we eat more fast food and exercise less due to time constraints. The majority of fast foods are fried and therefore very fatty. For example, a full dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) contains approximately 1,860 calories. This new way of eating gives rise to health problems like obesity and diabetes. In fact, the Mauritius Non-Communicable Disease Survey (2015; pp 5-6) indicates that approximately 20.5% of the Mauritian population is diabetic and 19.1% is obese. This is the consequence of the lack of physical activities due to the considerable improvement in the standard of living in Mauritius which has led to a more sedentary life. More and more people can afford televisions, computers, video games and Internet connection which have replaced fitness activities in their free time. Thus, Mauritians who often eat fast food and do not exercise pose a threat to their health. Consumption of cigarettes and alcohol Regular consumption of alcohol and cigarettes has many harmful effects on people's physical and mental health. A recent study by the World Health Organization showed that “Mauritians consume on average 3.6 liters of alcohol each year and the rate of dependence on alcoholic beverages in Mauritius.