Factors Affecting Food Choices Nutrition through the Lifespan

Factors Affecting Food Choices Nutrition through the Lifespan Mrs. Mashburn

Why You Eat What You Do… Many outside influences affect food choices. n People around you v v n Family - What you ate growing up… Friends - Restaurants and “fad” foods… Cultural Connection v v Culture is the shared beliefs, values and behavior of a group of people Where you live, your ethnicity, food traditions

n Ethnic foods – foods that are typical of a given racial, national, or religious culture n Soul food – African American n Sweet and sour – Pennsylvania Dutch n Fresh ingredients, pasta – Italian n Tea and cookies – British n Black beans on New Year’s Day – Japanese n Apples and honey on New Year’s Day Jewish

Continued n Subgroups of culture n n Geography, heritage (ethnic groups), and religion Food customs n How food is prepared, served, and eaten n n Cultural Etiquette n n Unique foods (BBQ from Texas, Clam Chowder from New England) Chopsticks, eating with the hands, etc. Special Occasions n “Thanksgiving Food”, Wedding Cakes, New Year’s Day (Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens)

n Religious Influences n Certain religious groups have rules regarding what members may or may not eat. n Orthodox Jews – kosher foods; no pork or shellfish n Muslims – fast during the ninth month of the calendar year n Seventh-Day Adventists – vegetarians

Continued… n Availability of Foods n What is grown where you live v v v n Georgia is famous for: Peaches, peanuts, blueberries, corn, soybeans, watermelon, onions Technology has made an impact on how food supplies are stored and processed Schedules, Energy, Budget What you eat and buy are affected by your resources v v Time, income level, personal energy, convenience foods (foods that are quick to prepare or eat) v Single parent families v Dual income families

Continued… n You n n Your lifestyle and characteristics affect food choices Examples n n n Age - Teenagers are not likely to eat the same foods that adults do. Attitudes/Emotions - Feelings towards foods (memories or experiences) Diet goals and health concerns Knowledge/level of education - New recipes, products and information can influence what you eat. Income Level - Better quality foods cost more. Exposure - Traveling, making new friends, trying new cuisine.

n Politics (? ? ) n n Media n n Mayor Bloomberg bans soda… Disney bans junk food ads Advertising n Heart Attack Grill

Continued… Food Advertising n v v Ads make you aware of new foods but may provide deception information, as well. Can you guess these food ads? v v v Cereal -A tiger mascot Fast food - Creepy clown mascot Fast food -“Have it your way” slogan Food packaging also plays a major role in why we buy and eat the foods we do. n Food stylists create food products for photographs used in advertising. They also use non food items to give the idea of fresh, tasty food. n n n For example, hamburger buns are really foam spray painted and milk is really sour cream or school glue.

Best Food Commercials n n n Doritos Snickers Little Caesar’s KFC Mc. Donalds

PROJECT! n Create a food advertisement for a BRAND NEW FOOD n Must list: n n n n Price Slogan Description of product THREE reasons a consumer would enjoy your product Illustration of the product itself BE CREATIVE! Remember to include what you have just learned about: The factors that affect food choices!

Special Diets and Health n Only a doctor or a Concerns health professional should recommend a medical diet. n n Once a medical diet has been set in place, it is important to follow it as closely as possible. The most common medical diet is probably a diabetic diet.

Diabetes n A condition in which the body can’t control levels of sugar in the blood properly n Insulin “malfunction” n n n In one type of diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. In another, the body doesn’t use the insulin that is produced normally. Oral medicine or insulin injections may be necessary. A special diet low in sugars is required. Those who are overweight are at high risk for developing diabetes.

Modified Diet n n n A special eating plan that helps to keep a medical condition under control It may involve limiting certain foods or choosing foods for nutritional value. Examples n n Low fat/low cholesterol Low sodium High fiber Soft diet

Food Additives n These are used to improve flavor or appearance. n n Common examples include preservatives, food colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, etc. Food additives can serve valuable purposes in the production of food, but if used in excess, they may pose risk to health. n A common belief is that food colorings (specifically red and yellow) can add to the effects of ADHD.

Food Intolerance n n The body has trouble digesting or handling a component of food Examples: n Gluten n n People can’t digest this protein found in wheat products Lactose Intolerance n The inability to adequately digest lactose, the main sugar found in milk and milk products n n Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pains and nausea People will need to: n n drink 1 cup of milk or less with other foods Eat hard aged cheeses (parmesan) and yogurt Choose lactose free products or use the drops that reduce lactose Ask your doctor for a prescriptive supplement that will help you digest lactose

Food Allergies n A sensitivity to a food that involves the body’s immune system n The immune system mistakenly reacts to the food as if it were an illness to fight n Reactions include rashes, vomiting, stomach cramps, breathing problems n n The reactions usually occur right after eating the food, or just by being around them If you think you have a food allergy, there are many types of tests your doctor can perform on you. n The allergy is treated by preventing the reaction and eliminating foods from your diet that cause the reaction.

Food and Medications n n They can affect each other and your body’s chemistry. Food can help or hinder your body’s use of medicines. n n Also, some medicines affect how your body uses nutrients. Follow instructions for taking medicines, especially when they say to take with food or drink n n If medicine is taken on an empty stomach, it can slow the absorption or cause ulcers. Some foods will react with medications.

Organic Foods n Organic foods have become very popular over the last decade. n n Many people chose organic because of the way that food is grown and harvested. Organic foods do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. n n Some people feel that these cause cancers and diseases, as well as harm the environment. These foods must be stamped with the USDA seal of approval for organic food. These foods have not been proven more nutritious than conventional farmed foods. Organic foods are generally more costly.