Food Choices and MyPlate.gov

INFLUENCES OF FOOD CHOICES Individuals make food choices based on: nutritionwellness enjoymentfamily and social ties comfortentertainment adventure 2 types of influences are individual and external

Individual Influences include… Physiological Influences that are affected by gender/age, wellness and activity levels Psychological Influences that are affected by appetite, emotion and thoughts, stress and personal likes/dislikes

Individual influences continued… Cultural Influences are shared by racial, religious, or social groups and include religious customs and yearly traditions Situational Factors (social factors) include stages of life, family schedules, financial resources, knowledge and skills and peer groups

External Influences…are those that come from outside of the individual or family Media Influences are a constant source of information about food products and nutrition issues (television, print, internet) Economic Influences are affected by consumers willing to pay for products and producers willing to provide them (supply/demand, price, food’s availability)

External influences continued… Environmental influences are factors such as air, water, soil, minerals, plants and animals (ecological factors, climate issues, land availability, local agriculture) Technological influences are developments improving any methods for doing tasks (food processing/additives, food preparation, biotechnology advancements)

Influences on Food Choices A male teenager’s caloric needs are different than a female teenager’s caloric needs. This is an example of individual physiological influence. Development of shelf-stable foods is an example of a technological factor influencing food choices. Growing a garden in a vacant city lot to save on food costs is an illustration of both environmental and economic influences on food choices.

Influences on Food Choices Choosing to eat pizza with friends at lunch is an example of the influence of entertainment on food choices. Choosing to eat pizza at home with friends and family when a parent just became unemployed is an economic influence. Vitamin fortification is an example of an external influence affecting food choices.

Influences on Food Choices Food processed in aseptic packaging is an illustration of the external influence of technology. Choosing a certain brand of bottled water because of the attractive advertisement in a magazine is an illustration of the external influence of the media. Eating convenience foods because a person doesn’t know how to cook is an example of knowledge and skills.

Influences on Food Choices Eating foods because everyone else likes them, even if one doesn’t, is an example of being influenced by a peer group. Losing a job and attending culinary school are both examples of the individual influence of situational factors. Eating sushi for the first time is an example of the influence of adventure.

Influences on Food Choices Selecting low-sodium foods is an example of the food choice factor of nutrition. A person can make healthier food choices when shopping for packaged and canned foods by reading nutrition labels.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans A credible source of science- based nutrition and fitness information.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans RECOMMENDATIONS Recommends that one follow a lifestyle that enables one to achieve a healthy weight. Recommends one to eat fewer processed and red meats. Recommends one should consume foods rich in potassium such as potatoes and bananas. Recommends one burn more calories than one consumes.

An example of a healthy food choice for a teenager is eating fresh fruits and vegetables regularly. An example of nutrition information that a person should be cautious of is the grapefruit diet that guarantees one will lose five pounds per week.

ChooseMyPlate.gov To encourage good nutrition, ChooseMyPlate.gov recommends that your plate should be filled with a variety of foods from each of the food groups and foods that are high in fiber and dense in nutrients. Vegetables are encouraged by ChooseMyPlate.gov through the use of the green section on the bottom left of the plate. The food groups that are recommended in lesser amounts on the plate on ChooseMyPlate.gov are fruits and protein.

ChooseMyPlate.gov An example of food in the red section on ChooseMyPlate.gov is sliced peaches. ChooseMyPlate.gov is a credible source of science-based nutrition and fitness information.