Influence on Food Choices
Activity
• You will be given a worksheet “Rating
Influences on Food Choices”
• I will put on the screen different factors and
you will decide how it effects you. Does it
majorly effect you, moderately, or little or no
effect?
• Write the factor under the category it fits
under for you.
Why We Eat
• Food is not only
necessary for life, it is
one of life’s greatest
pleasures!
Physical Needs
Hunger is the physical
need to eat.
– How long can a person
go without food?
– Nutritional requirements
– Activity level
– General health status
– Energy level
Psychological Needs
• Appetite is the psychological desire to eat.
– Emotions or feelings
– Body image
– Attitudes
Personal Preference
• Taste: sweet, salty, sour,
bitter, umami
• Smell, color, texture of
food
• Associations of food
with positive or familiar
activities.
Social Settings
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Family mealtimes
School lunches
Parties
Movies
Sporting events
Economics
• Cost of food (What can I
afford to buy?)
• Where you purchase your
food (Sam’s Aldi’s Price
Cutter)
• Which is more
economical? Processed or
Fresh?
• Where is the food coming
from?
• What foods are in
season?
Advertising/Media
• Ads that promise:
– More energy
– Better athletic
performance
– Improved health
– Better self-image
Media:
TV
Food Network
Internet
Technology
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New types of farm machinery
Faster food processing
Rapid transportation
New foods
New packaging
Government
• United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA)
• Regulates our food for safety.
Society and Culture
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Ethnic Traditions
Religious Beliefs
Family Traditions
Peer Preferences