The Factors That Drive Our Food Choices

What Factors Influence Food Choices?

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Choosing what you are going to eat each day may not seem like that big of deal...right? What you choose to put in your body actually has a huge impact on your day, and your life. Choosing to eat a more healthy diet can influence weight, energy, and how you handle disease. When standing in line to choose your lunch, you may be deciding for your body how it is going to feel in a few hours or days. This makes food choices an extremely important part of life.  

Why Do We Choose Certain Foods?

Our food choices are affected by social, psychological, physical, and philosophical factors. Where a person lives, how much money they have, their beliefs and values, their self-image, and habits all steer food choices. "According to a national study of nearly 3,000 adults, taste is the most important consideration, followed by cost, nutrition, convenience, and weight control" (Food Choices, 1999). Culture also plays a role in the food choices, not only because different regions have different foods available, but also because of the personal beliefs in that region. Some religions choose not to eat pork while others may be completely vegetarian. Habit and the way that you were raised may also steer your food choices. If you were raised in a household that mostly eat convenience foods and never really cooked, than this is what you know and may direct you to choose the same foods as an adult. Someone that is on a strict diet for weight lose will most likely choose foods that are part of their diet plan, rather than greasy fast foods. Cost is a huge factor, and some families believe that they can not afford to eat healthy food, or may live in a food desert that has no access to fresh farm foods. 

Check you this great article about how culture influences food choices:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/476301-how-culture-affects-diet/

References:

Basiotis, P. P., Carlson, A., Gerrior, S. A., Juan, W., & Lino, M. (2004). The Healthy Eating Index, 1999-2000:             Charting Dietary Patterns of Americans. Family Economics & Nutrition Review, 16(1), 39.

Food Choices. (1999). American Fitness, 17(2), 8.

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2013).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage                      Learning.

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