Factors Affecting Food Choices Chapter 2

Food is a Reflection of Culture Food habits are a reflection of culture. Food habits are a reflection of culture. If affects all aspect of your life. If affects all aspect of your life. Some eat insects while we eat BBQ. Some eat insects while we eat BBQ. –Sounds strange to us, but BBQ sounds strange to them. Historical Influences Historical Influences –Where are your ancestors from? Does that affect traditional foods in your family? Ethnic Influences Ethnic Influences –Usually religion or racial or certain part of the country food. –Food taboos-against eating beef, or cannot understand why we wouldn’t eat dog. Regional Influences Regional Influences –Eat it because it is popular where you live or an abundance of it where you live. Religious Influences Religious Influences –Rules regarding food choices. Can you think of one?

Social Influences on Food Choices By people we are around. By people we are around. Restaurants/foods become popular by certain people. Restaurants/foods become popular by certain people. Family- manners, how to eat certain foods, traditions Family- manners, how to eat certain foods, traditions Friends- noticed that you all like similar foods? Friends- noticed that you all like similar foods? Status of food- foods that have a social impact on others. Ex: who eats caviar? Status of food- foods that have a social impact on others. Ex: who eats caviar? Media- advertisements, colors. Media- advertisements, colors.

Emotions Affects Food Choices Eat a bad banana, now can never eat a banana. Eat a bad banana, now can never eat a banana. Fig 2-8 Fig 2-8 Emotional responses- linked to gender Emotional responses- linked to gender To deal with emotions- depressed, happy To deal with emotions- depressed, happy For reward or punishment- chocolate, salad. For reward or punishment- chocolate, salad. Preferences- like one more than another because of positive emotions. Preferences- like one more than another because of positive emotions.

The Influence of Agriculture, Technology, Economics and Politics Control over what food to put in your pantry, little control over what is available to buy and price at the store. Control over what food to put in your pantry, little control over what is available to buy and price at the store. Resources: Soil, climate, technical knowledge, human energy. Resources: Soil, climate, technical knowledge, human energy. Technology: Improved packaging to get foods here otherwise we may not. Technology: Improved packaging to get foods here otherwise we may not. Economics of food: Money is needed for producing and buying. Poor countries lack this so they cannot afford the importing. Economics of food: Money is needed for producing and buying. Poor countries lack this so they cannot afford the importing. Politics of food: what is grown and where, investing, regulations. Politics of food: what is grown and where, investing, regulations.

Nutrition Knowledge Affects Food Choices We are so influenced by everything around us that sometimes we believe “old wives tales” about certain foods. We are so influenced by everything around us that sometimes we believe “old wives tales” about certain foods. Ex: Should you avoid vegetable oil beause it is high in cholesterol? You should answer no because if you did your research you would find that it has no cholesterol. Ex: Should you avoid vegetable oil beause it is high in cholesterol? You should answer no because if you did your research you would find that it has no cholesterol. Magical power foods (apples) Magical power foods (apples) Pills (multivitamins are a must) Pills (multivitamins are a must) Pesticides (chemicals) Pesticides (chemicals) Cure diseases (citrus prevents Scurvy disease) Cure diseases (citrus prevents Scurvy disease) You need to make yourself knowledgeable about the food you eat and know what you are putting in your mouth. You need to make yourself knowledgeable about the food you eat and know what you are putting in your mouth.

Activity In your food journals try and add one new food that you usually do not eat or a food you have never eaten before. What are you going to try? (want to be able to see it). In your food journals try and add one new food that you usually do not eat or a food you have never eaten before. What are you going to try? (want to be able to see it). Identify a food from your culture. Ex: you originally from Germany describe a food from there. Draw a picture of the food or find a picture on the internet, explain what is in it and try and explain how it fits into the culture. Identify a food from your culture. Ex: you originally from Germany describe a food from there. Draw a picture of the food or find a picture on the internet, explain what is in it and try and explain how it fits into the culture. Extra Credit: prepare this food at home and bring it in to share with the class. Extra Credit: prepare this food at home and bring it in to share with the class.