IndexTraditional cuisine and cultureFast foodConsumption of cigarettes and alcoholEmotional stressQuoted by Brillat-Savarin (1826), states that the food we consume 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 the dietary pattern is influenced by a variety of factors. Obesity and other health problems can be attributed to this lifestyle. In this essay, the eating habits of Mauritians and their dangers will be further analyzed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Traditional Cuisine and Culture According to McGruther (2018), “Traditional foods are those foods that nourished our ancestors throughout history and prehistory before the advent of video games” the industrialization of food”. Mauritius being a multicultural country, its traditional food comes from various parts of the world such as India, China, Africa and Europe. Comparing the time of our ancestors with the food we eat today, the composition of traditional food in Mauritius has changed dramatically. Long ago, it consisted mainly of vegetables, root vegetables, cereals and fresh cow's milk, while now it includes curry, "gateau piment", "rougaille" and fruit salad, among others, which are generally very oily and salty. In particular, Indo-Mauritians maintain their culinary traditions from India and these meals tend to be very high in calories. This eating behavior has proven to be harmful to the population in the long term and, due to lack of exercise, causes several chronic health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Therefore, 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 food is characterized by fast foods, easily accessible and economical alternatives to home-cooked meals. (Hellesvig-Gaskell, 2017) Following industrialization, styles of Mauritians' lives have taken on a more Western aspect; we consume more fast food and exercise less due to time constraints. Most fast foods are fried and therefore very oily. KFC) contains approximately 1,860 calories. This new way of eating causes health problems such as obesity and diabetes. In fact, the Mauritius Non Communicable Diseases survey (2015; pp 5-6) states that approximately 20.5% of Mauritian population is diabetic and 19.1% is obese. This is the consequence of the lack of physical activity due to the notable improvement in the standard of living in Mauritius which has led to a more sedentary lifestyle. computers, video games and an internet connection that have replaced free-time fitness activities. Therefore, Mauritians who often eat fast food and do not exercise pose a threat to their health. Cigarette and alcohol consumption Regular consumption of alcohol and cigarettes has many negative 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 every year and the alcohol addiction rate in Mauritius is 1.9% versus 1.5% in African countries". This implies that alcohol trade is widespread and very profitable in the country. However, the regular consumption of alcoholic beverages, being highly caloric, is very harmful to the body.