Food Choices, Special Nutritional Needs and Eating Patterns

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, 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)

Nutritional Needs Through the Life Cycle Nutritional needs impact food choices, both positive and negative, over one’s life cycle and are essential for one’s good health. Each stage of a person’s life cycle is affected by his/her diet. Reasons for a healthy diet: 1. Prevent and overcome health problems 2. Lengthen life span

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: Pregnancy/Lactation - Need to increase iron intake, folic acid and caloric intake - Avoid raw fish, unpasteurized dairy products, and excessive caffeine

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: Infancy/Early Childhood - Need to increase nutrient-dense formulas, breast milk (colostrum), easy-to- digest solid foods - Avoid foods that produce common food allergies

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: Preschool - Need a balanced diet, two cups of dairy daily, increased iron and calcium, and daily activity based on age, health, and body size - Avoid high-sugar snacks and fatty foods

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: School-Age Children - Need a balanced diet, three servings of dairy daily, daily activity based on age, health and body size - Avoid high-sugar snacks and fatty foods

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: Teen-aged Children: - Need a balanced diet, three servings of dairy daily, daily activity based on age, health and body size, girls need to increase iron intake, boys should increase caloric intake - Avoid sugary soft drinks, “empty” calorie foods and fatty foods

LIFE CYCLES/STAGES: Adults/Older Adults - Need a balanced diet, three servings of dairy daily, daily activity based on age, health and body size, increase fiber - Avoid fatty foods, excessive sodium and sugar

CHRONIC CONDITIONS and DISEASES Can be reduced or cured by making healthier food choices One may have to follow a special eating plan or medical nutrition therapy

High Blood Pressure Causes: eating fatty foods, high cholesterol foods and a lack of fiber in the diet Symptoms: elevated blood pressure and HDL/LDL levels Foods to Include: low-fat/fat-free foods, whole grains, lean meats, fish and fresh fruits/veggies

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Causes: eating foods with a high sodium or fat content; low consumption of foods containing calcium, potassium, and magnesium Symptoms: elevated heart rate, shortness of breath with exertion Foods to include: low- sodium foods, fresh fruits/veggies, whole grains

Obesity Causes: eating high-fat content and low- nutrient foods, eating oversized portions, limited physical activity, inherited genetic traits Symptoms: increased health problems, elevated BMI rating Foods to include: reduced-fat/fat free foods, whole grains, lean meats, fish, fresh fruits/veggies, smaller portion sizes

Diabetes Type II Causes: eating foods high in sugar, excessive body weight, low consumption of fiber Symptoms: excessive thirst and fatigue Foods to include: low- sugar and sugar-free, whole grains, protein foods, reduce-fat/fat free

Osteoporosis Causes: lack of calcium and exercise Symptoms: brittle bones/bones that break easily, hormonal changes, deficiency of Vitamin D Foods to include: calcium and vitamin- enriched foods, foods high in phosphorous, dark green leafy veggies

EATING DISORDERS Self-destructive condition created by emotions, attitudes and behaviors related to food, eating and weight

Anorexia Nervosa The intense fear of gaining weight, although already thin Causes: an unrealistic body image, peer pressure to be thin Symptoms: eating rituals, extensive exercise and obsession with dieting

Bulimia Nervosa Characterized by two traits: Binge eating followed by purging Purging includes the abuse of laxatives, diet pills and diuretics; Bulimics often stay within 10 to 15 pounds of a healthy weight Causes: guilt associated with overeating, desire to control weight by any means Symptoms: tooth decay, blistered hands, ruptured esophagus

Binge Eating Characterized by eating abnormally large amounts of food in a short time Causes: feeling depressed or guilt Symptoms: consuming 3000 to 5000 calories a day; excessive weight gain

Vegetarian Eating Plans Vegan: eat only food from plant sources Advantages: diet is high in fiber and low in saturated fats Disadvantages: diet may lack Vitamin D and B12

Vegetarian Eating Plans Lacto-Vegetarian: eat foods from plant sources and dairy products Advantages: diet is high in calcium Disadvantages: diet may lack some nutrients vital for pregnant women and young children

Vegetarian Eating Plans Ovo-Vegetarian: eat foods from plant sources and eggs Advantages: eggs are a good alternative protein source Disadvantages: whole eggs contain cholesterol and should be limited

Vegetarian Eating Plans Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian: eat foods from plant sources, dairy products and eggs Advantages: milk and eggs are good sources for protein and most vitamins and minerals Disadvantages: whole egg and milk both contain cholesterol and should be limited

Ethnic Eating Plans The New National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Guidelines recommend trying different ethnic cuisines to give a variety in eating plans while counting calories and fat. Many ethnic cuisines offer nutritious food choices that are low fat and low in calories. Examples include: Asian, Indian, Native American, Mediterranean/Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Latino- Hispanic

FOOD ALLERGIES Abnormal response to certain foods by the body’s immune system; a trace of the food can cause serious health problems and even death The FDA requires that all food allergens be clearly identified on food labels Examples: milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, shellfish

FOOD INTOLERANCE Physical reaction to food but does not involve the immune system; less serious digestive problems usually occur Lactose intolerance: sensitivity to the sugar in cow’s milk Gluten intolerance: sensitivity to gluten products

Sample Test Questions… An example of a nutritional need during the prenatal period is low-salt foods. An example of a healthy food choice for an elderly person is well-balanced diet with extra fiber and supplements. When comparing foods to avoid for teens and adults, avoid foods high in fat and high sugar foods.

Sample Test Questions… Healthy snacks compare to junk foods because healthy snacks are high in fiber and usually lower in calories than junk foods. A cause of high cholesterol may be eating large amounts of high-fat foods. A symptom of anorexia nervosa may be one is very thin.

Sample Test Questions… The primary benefit of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern eating plan is it is a healthy way to manage weight. A breakfast food MOST LIKELY to prevent colon cancer is raisin bran cereal.

Sample Test Questions… Family tradition is an example of an individual influence. Eating a mid-morning snack is a result of individual influences only. TV and radio are classified as external influences.