Emotions Affect Food Choices
- People use food to more than simply satisfy physical hunger.
- We often associate certain foods as “comfort foods” which
make us feel better.
Emotional Responses to Food
- People develop most of their emotional connections /
reactions toward food in early life.
- For others, food produces feelings of frustration or disgust.
- Some emotional responses to food may be associated with
gender as well.
- Research even shows that some people connect “maleness”
with hardy foods such as steak and potatoes, etc.
Using Food to deal with Emotions
- Food can also express emotion as well.
- Many people offer food as a symbol of love and caring.
- People show support or concern for family who are going
through difficult times by bringing food.
- People choose food to meet emotional needs – you eat a
chocolate bar to feel better about yourself.
- Frustration can cause people to eat more or less than their
bodies need.
- Anxiety can be another way for people to overindulge in
food.
Food Used for Rewards or Punishment
- Food can be used to manipulate others.
- People reward children with food sometimes – following this
pattern can lead to weight management problems.
- Sometimes, parents take food away from children as a
punishment – ex?
Individual Preferences that affect Food Choices
- You chose to eat certain foods simply because you like them.
o What causes you to like some foods over others?
o Your EMOTIONS – You eat foods that you associate
with positive emotions.
o Your GENES – You were born with personal preferences
for certain tastes and smells. Everyone has taste buds
that sense the tastes of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.
o Your EXPERIENCE – You are more likely to eat foods
you know vs. trying something new.
 People prefer foods that are familiar.