2. 1
Food Affects Life

3. Objectives
Explain how the search for food led to the development of civilization.
Use the steps of the decision-making process to make food choices.
Describe how food relieves hunger and improves wellness.
Outline cultural, social, and psychological influences on food choices.
List factors that affect the food supply.

4. The History of Food Early people formed tribes to hunt together
Farming and herding evolved and the food supply became more dependable
As food became more available, people were able to dedicate time to other activities (some learned a craft, others became merchants)
Basic trading began, and with it came the development of civilization
continued

5. Making Choices About Foods
The decision-making process is a method for thinking about possible options and outcomes before making a choice.
It involves the following series of steps:
1. Identify the problem or decision
2. Consider your alternatives, the various options you might choose
3. Think about how your alternatives relate to your goals, aims you try to reach
4. Determine which alternatives are acceptable
5. Choose one alternative
6. Evaluate your decision
1. What should I do for lunch?
2. Options might include making a sandwich, reheating leftovers, or going to get fast food
3. Make healthful food choices, avoid wasting food, or to save money
4. Safely storing the leftover meet the goal to avoid wasting food. Both making a sandwich and reheating leftovers help meet the goal to save money
5. Perhaps you dont feel like preparing a sandwich so reheating leftovers is the best alternative
6. Perhaps you didnt like eating the leftovers for two days in a row, so this will make you consider your choices next time
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6. Food Meets Physical Needs
Food is needed to
maintain vital functions (keeping your heart beating)
provide energy for muscle movement (walking, sitting, and climbing)
build and repair tissues
*Food meets two basic needs:
1. Food eases hunger
2. Food can affect your overall state of health
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7. Food Meets Physical Needs
The digestive tract sends a message to your brain. Your brain receives the message and give a signal, which we recognize as hunger
Food relieves hunger, the physical need for food.
A hunger signal stimulates your stomach to produce hunger pangs. The hunger signal also stimulates your Appetite, which is a psychological desire to eat.
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8. Food Meets Physical Needs
Food improves overall wellness, which is the state of being in overall good health.
The three areas of wellness:
physical health (body)
mental health (mind)
*One sign of overall wellness is an ability to handle stress, which is mental tension caused by change
social health (relationships with other people)

9. Cultural Influences on Food Choices
One factor that affects food habits is culture, the traditions and beliefs of a racial, religious, or social group.
The U.S. is a multicultural society
Each culture that is part of U.S. society contributes unique customs (typical ways of behaving) and beliefs to the nation
© Joe Gough/Shutterstock
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10. Cultural Influences on Food Choices
National origin
In the U.S. immigrants often settled together based on nationality
Example: Foods of Mexican and Spanish origin are found in the West and Southwest. Asian influence is seen on the Pacific Coast.
Religion
Certain food customs determine what and how people should eat
For example, Hindus won't use cattle for food because they consider them to be sacred. Muslims only eat with their right hand.
Fasting, denying oneself food, has long been a religious custom
Christians fast during Lent, Jews fast on Yom Kippur, and Muslim fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan
Holidays
Holiday celebrations abound with food traditions (Heart shaped food for Valentine's Day and Hot Dogs on Independence Day)
Look at map on pg. 10

11. Social Influences on Food Choices
For many people, preparing and eating food are social activities.
Examples:
-Families at the dinner table
-Friends together at parties
-Business lunches
© Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

12. Family
Food choices are often a reflection of family values, items that a person or group considers important. (Ex: a family who values the environment will buy foods that have limited packaging)
Many food habits are formed around family customs. {In my family it was a custom to eat dinner together every night. As an adult I continue to do this in my own home}
Busy lifestyles, or the way that a person lives, limit the amount of time family members have to share meals (Work, school, and sports)

13. Friends
You may feel peer pressure, which is influence that comes from people in a person's social group
Friends may also encourage you to try new foods and preparation techniques
© Jaimie Duplass/Shutterstock

14. Mass Media
Mass media (television, radio, magazines, and the internet) can affect food choices by:
advertising products using icons (Tony the tiger, the Pillsbury dough boy, and Celebrities/Athletes)
reporting health and nutrition information (Today Show)
fostering food fallacies, a mistaken belief and fads, practices that are very popular for a short time
(Today)
(kale)

15. Food Product Trends Health
A consumer concern for health has fueled the trend for functional foods, are foods that provide health benefits beyond the nutrients they contain. (Yogurt containing probiotics or prebiotics)
Convenience
Since consumers do not have a lot of time for food preparation, convenience is a key to the success of new food products (Meal kits, heat and eat breakfasts, single serve packages)
Great taste
Consumers are not willing to give up taste for health or convenience that is why food manufacturers are constantly introducing new and improved flavors of foods

16. Psychological Influences on Food Choices
The way you think and feel about foods will influence what foods you choose
Odors as well as events create memories that affect food choices
Psychology affects why you eat as well as what you eat
Psychology even plays a role in food preparation

17. Factors That Affect the Food Supply
Many factors affect the supply of foods available when you go to the store
The factors include:
-Agriculture
-Environment
-Government
-Economics
-Technology
© Hannamariah /Shutterstock

18. Agriculture and the Environment
Successful agriculture requires a suitable environment to grow crops and raise livestock (air, water, soil, mineral resources, plants and animals)
Practice sustainability, refers to practices that are productive and profitable while still caring for the environment

19. Government
Laws govern the way foods are grown, processed, packaged, and labeled
The food supply in the United States is overseen primarily by:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),enforce standards for the quality and wholesomeness of meat, poultry, and eggs.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA),ensure safety and wholesomeness of all other foods (food processing plants and food shipped across state lines)

20. Economics The law of supply and demand effects food supply
Producers will provide products as long as consumers are willing to pay for them

21. Technology Researchers are using technology to affect food’s
nutrient content
availability
safety
© branislavpudar/Shutterstock

22. Review
#1-16 (Answers only)