UNDERSTANDING OUR FOOD CHOICES Factors That Influence What We Eat
Feb 14, 2016
UNDERSTANDING OUR FOOD CHOICES
Factors That Influence What We Eat
UNDERSTANDING OUR FOOD CHOICES
Numerous factors influence choices: Hunger, appetite, and food habits Nutrition knowledge, health beliefs/concerns, and
practices Availability, convenience, and economy Advertising and the media Early experiences, social interactions, and cultural
traditions Personal preference, taste, and psychological needs Values, such as political views, environmental
concerns, and religious beliefs
Availability: Americans enjoy the most abundant food supply in the world We have the resources to maintain a large agricultural industry and
import a wide variety of foods from all over the world Americans tend to choose high-fat diets rich in meat, eggs, desserts, etc.
As a result, an abundant food supply has been linked to degenerative diseases
Degenerative diseases are sometimes referred to as diseases of affluence
Influential Factors in Making Food Choices
Income, Food Prices, and Convenience: Extremely low incomes make it difficult to buy enough food to meet minimum
nutritional needs which leads to… Undernutrition: severe under-consumption of calories or nutrients leading to disease or increased susceptibility to disease; a form of malnutrition.
Many people perceive that a healthy diet costs more and is inconvenient. Which can lead to the purchase of inexpensive, high fat, low nutrient “fast foods”
and overnutrition
Influential Factors in Making Food Choices
Advertising and the Media: The food industry spends more than $11 billion overall for
food, beverage, and fast-food advertising The media rank among the most influential sources of diet
and nutrition information Television, then magazines and newspapers, radio, family or
friends, books, and the Internet: and finally to doctors Advertising is not always created with the consumer’s best
interest in mind. What is the advertisers goal???
Influential Factors in Making Food Choices
PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO HEALTHFUL EATING Healthy foods are not always available from fast-food and take-
out restaurants
It costs more to eat healthy foods
Too busy to take the time to eat healthfully
Too much conflicting information about which foods are healthy and which foods are not
Healthy foods don’t taste good
The people I usually eat with do not eat healthy foods
EATING TO BEAT THE ODDSHealthy Food Choices
EAT TO BEAT THE ODDS
Fat Saturated Fat Sodium/Salt
Limit Alcohol Added Sugars
Whole grains Fiber Fruits/Veggies Low Fat Dairy
Maintain a HEALTHY Weight
EATING TO BEAT THE ODDS
Helps to REDUCE the risk of: Certain types of cancers Diabetes Heart Disease Obesity Stroke High Blood Pressure
NUTRITION ACTION
Eating to Beat the Odds at SchoolGood and Fast: A Guide to Eating on the Run
Guide to eating on the run at school Without “Supersizing” your waist
Strategy 1: Don’t supersize.
Strategy 2: Think grilled, not fried. Fried food adds 50% more fat and calories.
Strategy 3: Hold the mayo.
Strategy 4: Avoid all-you-can-eat restaurants.
Strategy 5: Avoid the soda. Have water or seltzer.
Strategy 6: Balance fast-food meals with other food choices during the day.
Strategy 7: Split your order—share with a friend.
Strategy 8: Bring your lunch.
Strategy 9: Choose grab-and-go foods – pretzels, fresh fruit, string cheese, bars (think portable)
Guide to eating on the run at school Without “Supersizing” your waist