What Determines Our Food Choices?

Food Biography List 5 food likes and 5 food dislikes List 5 food likes and 5 food dislikes Choose 1 from each column and explain why Choose 1 from each column and explain why Answer the following questions: Answer the following questions: 1. Why do you eat? List 3 reasons why you find yourself eating food. What is the purpose of eating? 1. Why do you eat? List 3 reasons why you find yourself eating food. What is the purpose of eating? 2. Why do you eat what you eat? What makes you choose to eat the foods you do? 2. Why do you eat what you eat? What makes you choose to eat the foods you do? 3. What do you think the difference 3. What do you think the difference between appetite and hunger is?

Individual Influences AKA. “WHY DO I EAT WHAT I EAT???” AKA. “WHY DO I EAT WHAT I EAT???” 1. Physical Reasons (ex. Hunger, survival, nutrition, senses) 1. Physical Reasons (ex. Hunger, survival, nutrition, senses) 2. Psychological Reasons (ex. Emotions, moods, memories, etc.) 2. Psychological Reasons (ex. Emotions, moods, memories, etc.) 3. Situational Reasons (ex. Going to a restaurant before prom, Pizza Family night) 3. Situational Reasons (ex. Going to a restaurant before prom, Pizza Family night) 4. Cultural Reasons (ex. Tradition, religion, custom, environment, exposure) 4. Cultural Reasons (ex. Tradition, religion, custom, environment, exposure)

Physiological Influences Physical needs Energy to survive: food nourishes our body so that it can perform daily functions Dietary Needs- vegetarian, vegan, allergies Age- 16 year old vs. senior citizen Hunger (impulses from brain) Food also helps to alleviate some health issues Calcium = Osteoporosis Vitamin C = Heart Health Flax Seed = Lowers Cholesterol Vitamin A = Vision Health

Senses Senses Senses illicit a physical response but can also evoke emotions illicit a physical response but can also evoke emotions Taste  being the biggest Taste  being the biggest Smell  connects to memory, also effects taste Smell  connects to memory, also effects taste Touch  think slimy squid, AKA “mouthfeel” Touch  think slimy squid, AKA “mouthfeel” Hear  (snap crackle pop, pop rocks) Hear  (snap crackle pop, pop rocks) Sight  beige food = blah; desserts Sight  beige food = blah; desserts Science Behind Picky Eaters Science Behind Picky Eaters Science Behind Picky Eaters Science Behind Picky Eaters

Hunger vs. Appetite Hunger  the body telling you it is in need of food (physical response) Hunger  the body telling you it is in need of food (physical response) This can sometimes be mistaken with THIRST (body telling you that you’re becoming dehydrated) This can sometimes be mistaken with THIRST (body telling you that you’re becoming dehydrated) Appetite  the desire for food, independent of if it is really necessary or even if you are hungry Appetite  the desire for food, independent of if it is really necessary or even if you are hungry Emotions, boredom, habit, etc. Emotions, boredom, habit, etc.

Psychological Influences Emotions & Thoughts Emotions & Thoughts Comfort Foods Comfort Foods Stress Stress Appetite Appetite Personal likes & dislikes Personal likes & dislikes

Activity: Word Associations What thoughts or feelings are evoked by the following words? What thoughts or feelings are evoked by the following words? Carnival Carnival Sick Sick Summer Summer Movie Movie Picnic Picnic Campfire Campfire Football Football Airplane Airplane Cafeteria Cafeteria

Eating Habits Eating tends to be a learned behavior. Eating tends to be a learned behavior. Developed eating habits when we are young by watching those around us. Developed eating habits when we are young by watching those around us. Do you feel that your eating habits mirror those of your family? Explain why or why not. Do you feel that your eating habits mirror those of your family? Explain why or why not. Think about: Think about: Portion sizes Portion sizes Snacking behaviors Snacking behaviors Etiquette Etiquette

Cultural Influences Ethnicity Ethnicity Polish- pierogis Polish- pierogis Hispanic- tamales, enchiladas Hispanic- tamales, enchiladas Cuban- mojo chicken Cuban- mojo chicken Religious practices Religious practices Ramadan- Muslim Ramadan- Muslim Seder-Jewish Seder-Jewish Yearly traditions Yearly traditions Christmas cookies Christmas cookies

Situational Influences Social factors Social factors Having guests for Sunday dinner Having guests for Sunday dinner Peer group Peer group Going out with friends before a school dance Going out with friends before a school dance Knowledge & skills Knowledge & skills Are you experienced in the kitchen? Are you experienced in the kitchen? Family schedules Family schedules Do your parents work and not have time to cook? Do your parents work and not have time to cook?

Food is FUN! Family & Social Ties Kitchen is the center of the home, often times Eat and discuss over dinner Food brings people together Special occasions, weddings, birthdays, sporting events, holidays Entertainment Restaurants, Festivals, Television Shows Adventure Trying something new Comfort Often high in fat or calories and tend to evoke a feeling of carefree childhood days

Comfort Foods Article: “The Mood-Food Connection” By Susan Lang Journal Entry #1: 1. What was the article about? Summarize the main idea. 2. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why? 3. Include at least two situations that you can recall someone (or yourself) using food to provide comfort. (think about movies, real life, tv…) u.edu/today/ 2012/youspe ak-comfort- food/