Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls is well-known throughout the world for her contributions to the fashion industry. She frequently discusses how her cultural identity influences her outlook on life, including her eating patterns.

Smalls' declaration demonstrates her pride in her background and her refusal to follow restrictive dieting fads that are inconsistent with her customs and values. Rich flavors and filling dishes like rice, pork, and beans—all mainstays of the local diet—are hallmarks of Puerto Rican cuisine. Smalls views these foods as an essential component of her culture.

Someone stating that they wouldn't give up their favorite comfort food because it's an integral part of who they are is comparable to her quote. Smalls has strong feelings about traditional Puerto Rican foods, much like you might have about your mother's lasagna or your grandmother's homemade cookies. These foods serve as more than just meals; they are a link to her community and heritage.

Smalls conveys a message that individual identity is more significant than social pressure to diet and fit in by embracing her cultural cuisine. She exhorts people to embrace their distinct heritages and take pleasure in the customs that define them.