Why You Eat What You Eat Concept 1

Pop Quiz True or False? Nutrients don’t necessarily provide calories. Phytochemicals are harmful chemicals found in processed foods. You tend to eat more when you eat with others. Advertising is ineffective when it comes to influencing people’s food choices. The food choices that are available to you overall are very similar to those available to your grandparents. ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER ANSWER

What Drives Our Food Choices? We Need to Eat and Drink to Live Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Taste and Culture Social Reasons and Trends Advertising Cost, Time, and Convenience Habits and Emotions Influence Not Only What You Eat, But When You Eat

We Need to Eat and Drink to Live Food provides essential nutrients and nonnutritive compounds. Nutrients: chemical compounds in foods that provide energy (measured in calories), growth, and maintenance, and regulate body processes Six classes: carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water Phytochemicals: nonnutritive compounds in foods that promote health and may play a role in fighting chronic disease

Rate Yourself: Do Outside Factors Influence Your Food Choices? TRUE or FALSE? Whenever I meet friends, we get something to eat or drink, no matter the time of day. I sometimes find myself walking past a coffee shop, fast-food restaurant, or convenience store and am prompted to buy myself something to eat. When I am bored, stressed, or sad, I snack. I always eat or drink something when I am studying, even if I am not hungry. I always eat when I am watching a flick at a movie theatre.

Rate Yourself: Do Outside Factors Influence Your Food Choices? If you answered TRUE to the majority of these statements, you are among friends. Many of our food choices are driven by external influences rather than by hunger.

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Many factors drive our food choices besides the basic need to refuel our body with nutrients: Taste and Culture Social Reasons and Trends Advertising Cost, Time, and Convenience Habits and Emotions

Factors Influencing Food Choices Figure 1.1

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Taste and Culture According to research, taste is the most important consideration in making food choices. Culture and tradition also determine food choices. A culture’s cuisine is greatly influenced by environmental factors, including: Climate and soil conditions Native plants and animals Distance from rivers, lakes, or the sea Accessibility

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Social Reasons and Trends Eating is an important way to bond with others. Celebrations such as Thanksgiving are centered around food. Research shows that people consume 40 percent more when eating meals with others. Social activities can also involve eating certain foods. Popular trends influence the availability and variety of certain items, which ultimately affects your food choices.

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Advertising Manufacturers spend over $10 billion annually on food advertising. Children and adolescents have a strong influence on household purchases. Food advertisers direct commercials toward children. Over half of television ads during Saturday morning cartoons are for food. A majority of food advertising is for sweets and treats such as candy, soft drinks, chips, and sugary breakfast cereals.

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Cost, Time, and Convenience Eleven percent of American households experience food insecurity and may be forced to base food choices on cost. Americans want to spend less time preparing meals, which has influenced the types of foods sold in supermarkets. Today, Americans spend 45 percent of their food budget on the convenience of eating out, compared with just 25 percent in the 1970s.

Many Factors Influence Our Choice of Foods Habits and Emotions Influence Not Only What You Eat, But When You Eat Your daily routine and habits can dictate what and when you eat. Many people use food as an emotional crutch during times of stress, sadness, or disappointment. Celebrations and happiness also trigger eating.

Your Food Choices Differ From Those of Past Generations Nutrition Science Has Begun to Significantly Influence Our Food Choices Translating Nutrition Knowledge into Action One Bite at a Time

Nutrition Science Has Begun to Significantly Influence Our Food Choices Past generations were concerned with health problems resulting from nutrient deficiencies. Rickets: linked to vitamin D deficiency Beriberi: caused by thiamin deficiency Laws were passed requiring enrichment of grains and other products with vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiencies. The RDAs (Recommended Dietary Allowances) were developed as nutritional guidelines to help Americans stay healthy.

Nutrition Science Has Begun to Significantly Influence Our Food Choices Americans today are struggling with conditions such as overweight, heart disease, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. Research suggests that many of these diseases can be prevented with a healthful diet. Laws and policies continue to evolve to reflect the latest nutrition research.

Translating Nutrition Knowledge into Action One Bite at a Time The goal of this course is to empower you with knowledge that will affect your reasoning, judgment, and decision making about the foods you choose to eat. A lot of little adjustments in your diet can have a major impact on health. Each concept will give you practical strategies and tips to enable you to eat your way to better health.

The Top Five Points to Remember There are six categories of nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Foods also provide nonnutrient compounds, such as phytochemicals, that may play a role in fighting chronic disease. Food choices are influenced by personal taste, culture, social life, advertising, accessibility, and time constraints. You eat out of habit, in response to your emotions, and, of course, because food is delicious.

The Top Five Points to Remember Nutrition knowledge has increased tremendously over the last century and greatly influenced America’s food choices. Nutrition concerns have shifted from prevention of deficiency diseases to prevention of chronic diseases. Small changes to your diet, made over time, can have a positive impact on your long-term health.

TRUE. Only carbohydrates, fats, and proteins provide calories. Answers to the Pop Quiz TRUE. Only carbohydrates, fats, and proteins provide calories. BACK TO QUIZ

Answers to the Pop Quiz FALSE. Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that are thought to play a role in protecting your body against some chronic diseases. BACK TO QUIZ

Answers to the Pop Quiz TRUE. Eating a meal with others has been shown to increase the size of your meal by over 40 percent. BACK TO QUIZ

FALSE. Advertising can be very effective. Answers to the Pop Quiz FALSE. Advertising can be very effective. BACK TO QUIZ

Answers to the Pop Quiz FALSE. As nutrition discoveries and sciences advance, so do the food types available to you. BACK TO QUIZ