1. Factors Influencing Food Choices
Why are you eating that?

2. Factors Influencing Food Choices
Physical
Psychological
Social
Cultural
Resources

3. Physical Factor: Health
Food is essential to life
Nutrients are needed for body to function properly
And to control diseases such as diabetes

4. Physical Factor: Taste
You enjoy the taste of food
Source of pleasure

5. Physical Factor: Age
Needs are different throughout the life cycle

6. Physical Factor: Appetite vs Hunger
Appetite: A natural and healthy desire for food “Want it”
Hunger: Body needs food “Need It”

7. Psychological Factor: Emotional Eating
Stressed, troubled, bored, or unhappy

8. Psychological Factor: Means of Rewards
Food for good grades
Food for good behavior

9. Psychological Factor : Associations with Past Experiences
Reminds you of when you were a child
Attach importance to an occasion or a loved one

10. Social Factor: Family
A time for families to prepare and share meals and time together

11. Social: Peer Pressure
Your friends influence your choices

12. Social Factor: Special Occasions
Holidays, weddings, birthday parties

13. Social Factor: Food Fads
What’s new and trendy?
Local (100 mile diet)
Healthy
Gluten-free

14. Social Factor: Lifestyle
Your daily activities (or lack of)

15. Social Factor: Advertising
Advertisers want to convince you to buy their product

16. Cultural Factor: National Origin
Geographical location
Staple Foods in that area
Local economy
Foreign Contact

17. 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)

18. Cultural Factor: Ethnic Traditions
Food customs are handed down

19. Resource Factor: Food Supply
What foods are available (seasonality)

20. Resource Factor: Time
Time to shop
Time to prepare meals
Time to eat

21. Resources: Energy
Electricity or gas
Personal energy

22. Resource Factor: Skills & Knowledge
Knowing how to prepare meals
Having the skills to cook well

23. Resource Factor: Money
The amount of money you have influences the food you can buy