Factors Influencing Food Choices Why are you eating that?
Factors Influencing Food Choices Physical Psychological Social Cultural Resources
Physical Factor: Health Food is essential to life Nutrients are needed for body to function properly And to control diseases such as diabetes
Physical Factor: Taste You enjoy the taste of food Source of pleasure
Physical Factor: Age Needs are different throughout the life cycle
Physical Factor: Appetite vs Hunger Appetite: A natural and healthy desire for food “Want it” Hunger: Body needs food “Need It”
Psychological Factor: Emotional Eating Stressed, troubled, bored, or unhappy
Psychological Factor: Means of Rewards Food for good grades Food for good behavior
Psychological Factor : Associations with Past Experiences Reminds you of when you were a child Attach importance to an occasion or a loved one
Social Factor: Family A time for families to prepare and share meals and time together
Social: Peer Pressure Your friends influence your choices
Social Factor: Special Occasions Holidays, weddings, birthday parties
Social Factor: Food Fads What’s new and trendy? Local (100 mile diet) Healthy Gluten-free
Social Factor: Lifestyle Your daily activities (or lack of)
Social Factor: Advertising Advertisers want to convince you to buy their product
Cultural Factor: National Origin Geographical location Staple Foods in that area Local economy Foreign Contact
Cultural Factor: Religion Hindus may not eat beef Jews may keep Kosher Catholics may refrain from meat on certain days Muslims may not eat nor drink during daylight hours (Ramadan)
Cultural Factor: Ethnic Traditions Food customs are handed down
Resource Factor: Food Supply What foods are available (seasonality)
Resource Factor: Time Time to shop Time to prepare meals Time to eat
Resources: Energy Electricity or gas Personal energy
Resource Factor: Skills & Knowledge Knowing how to prepare meals Having the skills to cook well
Resource Factor: Money The amount of money you have influences the food you can buy