Chapter 1. Basic Concepts in Nutrition There are other factors besides environment and lifestyle that influence the foods you choose to eat. Different foods affect energy level, mood, how much is eaten, how long before you eat again, and if cravings are satisfied. We have talked about some of the physical effects of food on your body, but there are other effects too. Food regulates your appetite and how you feel. Multiple studies have demonstrated that some high fiber foods and high-protein foods decrease appetite by slowing the digestive process and prolonging the feeling of being full or satiety. The effects of individual foods and nutrients on mood are not backed by consistent scientific evidence, but in general, most studies support that healthier diets are associated with a decrease in depression and improved well-being. To date, science has not been able to track the exact path in the brain that occurs in response to eating a particular food, but it is quite clear that foods, in general, stimulate emotional responses in people. Food also has psychological, cultural, and religious significance, so your personal choices of food affect your mind, as well as your body. The social implications of food have a great deal to do with what people eat, as well as how and when. Special events in individual lives—from birthdays to funerals—are commemorated with equally special foods. Being aware of these forces can help people make healthier food choices—and still honor the traditions and ties they hold dear. Factors that Drive Food ChoicesAlong with these influences, a number of other factors affect the dietary choices individuals make, including:
Why do you choose the foods you do? It’s a question that marketing pros, restaurant managers, health experts, grocery store owners and even your mom would like answered. It turns out that the most independent free thinkers among us are often influenced to eat the foods their friends, family or favorite celebrities favor. Several other factors also affect whether you reach for an apple or a slice of cherry pie the next time your stomach requests a refill.
Your family is your first cultural influence regarding food. If your parents celebrated the end of every workweek with a Friday night pizza fest, you may find your mouth watering for a taste of expertly tossed dough smothered with cheese and pepperoni every time life sends something good your way.
If you’re fortunate enough to have an indulgent grandparent, freshly baked chocolate cookies topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream may make the world seem like a conquerable place. Once you hit the school cafeteria, your cultural base grows to include friends. Their bad attitude about all foods green, for instance, can help determine your feelings about broccoli.
Cultural influences on your food choices is often more about familiarity than taste. Certain spices or an aroma that reminds you of a treasured family recipe can bring you right back home where it all began. Even if you always hated Lima beans, your adult self may cook them every year because that’s what your mom fixed on New Year’s Day.
Your food choices are often dictated by a food’s appearance, and advertisers know this. The next time you stop by your favorite grocery store, check out the lighting in the produce department. Many grocery chains alter the lighting there so that those leafy greens look brighter and the oranges look … well, more orange. This makes lettuce, beans and other vegetables seem fresher and the tomatoes, plums and other fruits appear perfectly ripe.
Manufacturers include colors on their packaging to attract your eye as well. Yellow is a popular color that may remind you of sunshine and summertime fun, which can influence your cereal choice for the week. Packaged meats are often dyed so they look more appetizing. Environmentally conscious shoppers may be more attracted to earth tones, including soothing greens and browns.
Placement in the store and on the shelves matters, too. You can pretty much guarantee that advertisers want you to reach for eye-level products rather than your favorite brand of oatmeal that’s perched on the top shelf and requires a tiptoe stretch to grab.
Your doctor, family medical history or your own desire to develop healthy habits can greatly affect your food choices. It’s no secret that nutrition plays a vital role in longevity as well as the quality of your physical health, especially if you have warning signs of diabetes or another serious medical condition. Knowing you're at risk for developing a serious medical problem may motivate you to opt for nutritious fare instead of junk foods.
Healthy food choices can also impact your emotional well-being. Sugary, processed snacks can leave you feeling jittery and anxious. An apple paired with a slice of cheese can satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you feeling energized rather than nervous.
Schedules that leave only moments to spare can have you reaching for a bag of chips for breakfast or turning into the nearest fast food drive-through at lunch to quiet your grumbling stomach. A long day makes frozen, microwavable meals tempting alternatives to preparing a healthy dinner.
You can satisfy your craving for healthy and quick by making a few meals on your day off and storing them in the freezer in microwavable containers. Store sliced carrots, grapes or other healthy foods in serving-size containers that you can grab as easily as that bag of chips when it’s time for your morning commute.
Once you’re aware of the issues influencing your food choices, it’s easier to make healthy changes if necessary. You may even be able to overcome the influences of your childhood friends and develop a fondness for broccoli and other green veggies.
3. Physical determinants such as access, education, skills and time Accessibility and availability Accessibility to shops and the availability of foods within shops influence food choice. This is associated with transport links and geographical locations. For example, ‘food deserts’ are areas of resistance with few or no shopping Education and knowledge, and skills Individuals that are educated and knowledgeable about ‘healthy eating’ are more likely to opt for healthy dietary choices. This, however, depends on whether the individual is able to apply their knowledge. Educating the population requires accurate and consistent messages. Education on how to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in an affordable way such that no further expense, in money or effort, is incurred may be beneficial for influencing food choices. In addition, a lack of knowledge and the loss of cooking skills can also inhibit buying and preparing meals from basic ingredients. Time constraints Time constraints will prevent individuals from adopting healthy choices especially the young and those that live alone who choose convenience foods. The demand has been met with the introduction of more ready-to-cook meals and pre-packed fruits 4. Social determinants such as social class, culture, and social context Social class/socioeconomic There are differences in food choices in different social classes which lead to both under- and over-nutrition. For example, people within the higher social class groups tend to have healthier diets (e.g. higher intakes of fruit, lean meat, oily fish, wholemeal products, and raw vegetables) compared with manual workers. It is thought that higher socioeconomic groups have healthier diets because they may have higher educational levels and may be more health conscious and have healthier lifestyles. Social class differences in diet are of particular concern with respect to health inequalities. Cultural influences Cultural influences impact on diet choices and food preparation – evidence has shown that traditions, beliefs and values are among the main factors influencing preference, mode of food preparation, and nutritional status. Cultural habits, however, have been shown to change, for example, when individuals move to a new country and adopt the food habits of the local culture. For example, South Asian females migrating to Scotland showed increased fat intakes and this was associated with an increased body mass index, and incidence of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Social Context Social context includes both the people who have an impact on an individual’s eating behaviour and the setting in which an individual consumes their dietary choice. People influence an individual’s food choices directly and indirectly: buying food on behalf of an individual is a direct impact whilst learning from a peer’s behaviour (conscious or subconscious) has an indirect impact. Social support (e.g. families) can have a beneficial effect on individual’s food choice by encouraging and supporting healthy eating practices. The setting for food consumption (e.g. home, school, work, and restaurants) will affect food choice by the availability of food options. 5. Psychological determinants such as mood, stress and guilt The evidence supporting psychological determinants and food choice is limited and proposed mechanisms for the relationship are complex. Stress Stress can trigger changes in human behaviours that affect health; the effect of stress on food choice is complex and individualistic: some people consume more food and make unhealthy food choices and others consume less food. It is believed that Mood Food can change an individual’s temperament and mood and influences food choice. Individuals report food cravings (especially among women during the premenstrual phase) and the relationship with food for dieters mean that people may feel guilty 6. Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about food, and optimistic bias Attitudes and beliefs Consumer attitudes and beliefs vary by individual, within groups of a population and across countries. The Pan-European Survey of Consumer Attitudes to Food, Nutrition and Health found that the top five influences on food choice were ‘quality/freshness’ (74%), ‘price’ (43%), ‘taste’ (38%), ‘trying to eat healthy’ (32%) and ‘what my family wants to eat’ (29%). These were average figures for 15 countries but results differed significantly between countries. Females, older subjects, and more educated subjects considered ‘health aspects’ more important than other factors whilst males rated ‘taste’ and ‘habit’ as the main determinants of food choice. Optimistic bias There are a high percentage of individuals who perceive their diets to be healthy and do not believe that they need to make dietary changes. People therefore believe that they are at less risk from a hazard compared to others e.g. people References
© Hannah Pheasant 2008 |
What influences your food choices
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