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