Table 3 Facilitators of a healthy diet

1. Affordable price options for healthy food

“You catch sales as well in the middle and end of the month. You just get things a little bit at a time and catch things on sale. Week after week, different things.”

2. Structured food plan

“I kind of grew up cooking, mom went to work and dad went to work, so we had the dinner ready for them. My mom was a horticulturalist so I learned a lot from her.”

3. Desire to modify appearance or weight

“I like to look bigger because I think I look better in terms of appearance. I have more confidence in the way I look, and the way I take care of myself. More confident to assert my ideas, instead of feeling like a proverbial 98-pound weakling. I feel better overall if I’m at a certain weight. Like I’m not sickly.”

4. Access to medical professionals or following a doctor’s recommendation

“I go to the doctor a lot and she tells me what to eat, and she’s usually pretty right on, but I’m always learning, that’s why I’m here tonight. I like to eat.”

5. Motivation for disease prevention

“For me personally, my diet is important to me to eat well and healthy because I know that I’m undetectable and healthy, but I don’t what to have anything else like kidney problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes. I try to keep it easy on the soda. I try to subconsciously not eat too much junk food or sweets because I know it can lead to health issues, and I don’t want any other health issues in my life.”

6. Social support

“Having a friend that’s very healthy and eats right. I look up to that and get lots of suggestions.”