You Are What You Eat

Rachel Lee
Nov 12
3 min read

By Srihita Madiraju Nov. 12, 2025

The phrase “you are what you eat” is typically used to convey the importance of a nutritious, healthy diet—yet it can also be taken literally: families often sustain their cultural identity through cooking and eating traditional meals; many individuals seeking change in their lifestyle begin with altering their diet; people connecting with friends or forging new relationships bond over indulging in their favorite cuisines or trying a new trending dish together. Beyond serving as fuel for the body, food can play a significant role in shaping cultural, personal, and social identity.

Food is a key factor of many cultures—it reflects the traditions, values and resourcefulness passed down within a community.

“I often find myself feeling homesick for my birthplace and motherland, Turkey, especially when I am upset or stressed out. When I encounter these feelings, I like to prepare one of my favorite Turkish dishes called Manti—meat stuffed dumplings—and instantly I feel calmer and comforted. Even though I live in a different country, food helps me continue to celebrate Turkish culture and connect back with my roots,” Senior Isra Celik said.

Blending techniques and ingredients from different cultures can bridge the gap between different groups and cultures. Tex-Mex—the combination of Mexican and Texan ingredients and cooking styles—and Indo-Chinese—Chinese style cooking with Indian ingredients and spices—have evolved into staples in dining worldwide. Sharing cultural dishes with individuals from different backgrounds can create connection and appreciation for other cultures.

“I love letting my friends from other cultures try Indian food; it helps me feel more comfortable around them in expressing my cultural identity and it helps them understand my background better. Now, they even love taking the opportunity to celebrate events in my community with me and my family,” Freshman Emily John said.

Personal identity is also expressed through one’s decisions and habits revolving around food. For example, some may feel that their choice to follow vegetarian or vegan diets reflects their ethical or religious commitments. Others may alter family or cultural recipes to align with their individual food related habits, representing how food can be used to establish a balance between tradition and individuality. Furthermore, trying new cuisines and dishes or cooking new recipes allows for further self exploration while broadening one’s horizons.

“My diet has evolved with my lifestyle once I began prioritizing my health and fitness last year. However, instead of missing out on traditional foods in exchange for a healthier alternative, I began learning how to make these dishes with ingredients that adhere to my diet. Not only do I still get to enjoy my favorite dishes, my cooking skills have greatly improved,” Senior Gabriel John said.

Socially, food creates a lasting impact, too. Social media, especially platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, serves as a way for users to share recipes, create and explore trends and celebrate diverse cuisines. For instance, matcha, a finely ground green tea, and ramen, a hot noodle soup with a flavorful broth, are widely known across the world—despite originating from Japan—due to their rise in popularity on social media. Food-related content not only promotes cultural appreciation but also fosters community, providing an opportunity for those with shared culinary interests to connect and interact with each other.

Food is more than just sustenance for the body. It is a reflection of personal taste and a bridge between heritage and modern day life, connecting individuals with their culture while breaking boundaries in a globalized world. The meals a person chooses to indulge in help shape their identity and background.

About the Contributors

Srihita Madiraju

staff writer

Srihita Madiraju is a senior at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. When she isn't busy lifeguarding she loves going to the beach with her friends, going on long walks, and reading.