Factors Influencing Food Choices
Why Are You Eating That?
Factors Influencing Food Choices Physical Psychological Social Cultural Resources
Physical Factors: Health Essential to life Nutrients are needed for body to function properly To control diseases such as diabetes
Physical Factors: Health Nutrition: Study of nutrients and the body uses them Nutrition: How food choices affect health Benefits of good nutrition: Look your best, grow properly, and you have energy
Physical: Taste You enjoy the taste of food Source of pleasure
Physical: Age Needs are different throughout the life cycle
Physical: Appetite VS Hunger Appetite: A natural and healthy desire for food “Want It” Hunger: Body needs food “Need It”
Psychological: Emotional Eating Stressed, troubled, bored, or unhappy
Psychological: Means of Rewards Food for good grades Food for good behavior
Psychological: Food Associations Past Experiences Reminds you of when you were a child Attach importance to an occasion or a loved one
Social: Family A time for families to prepare and share meals and time together
Social: Peer Pressure Your friends influence your choices
Social: Special Occasions Holidays, weddings, birthday parties
Social: Food Fads What’s new and trendy?
Social: Food Fads What’s old?
Social: Lifestyle Your way of life Activities
Social: Advertising Advertisers want to convince you to buy their product
Social: Advertising Limited information Positive images Celebrity endorsement Scare tactics Studies Infomercials False claims
Cultural: National Origin Geography Staple Foods Economics Foreign Contacts
Cultural: Religion Hindus do not eat beef Jews keep Kosher Catholics refrain from meat on certain days Muslims don’t eat nor drink during daylight hours during Ramadan
Cultural: Traditions Food customs are handed down
Cultural: Ethnic Customs Canada is a blend of many ethnic groups Pretzels and doughnuts from Holland Pizza from Italy Tacos from Mexico Egg rolls from Asia
Resources Objects and qualities that can help reach goals
Resources: Food Supply What foods are available We may eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Resources: Time Time to prepare meals Time to shop Time to eat
Resources: Energy Electricity or gas Personal energy
Resources: Knowledge Knowing how to shop and prepare meals
Resources: Skills The ability to do something well
Resources: Money The amount of money you have influences the food you can buy