Home Economics Food Choices

factors that affect food choices

money available, culture, emotional influences, health status, marketing and advertising, eating patterns 

culture

diff countries have particular foods associated

form cultural identity consumed for many years

e.g. china - rice is a staple food

religious beliefs - muslims pork hindus beef

travel and immigration ppl visit places gain awareness of alternative cuisines

define staple

food that is eaten routinely and makes up a large portion of a standard diet in a given population

eating patterns 

influenced by work, leisure activities and school 

busy lifestyle = greater reliance on convenience or takeaways e.g. ready meals quick and lil prep 

busy lifestyle reduce how often fam eat together - diff schedules 

money available

families with less money coming in may not spend as much on food

high quantities of processed food seen as more cost effective

should avoid ts by plan and shop wisely to live within means while making inexpensive nutritious meals

greater income = opt for expensive foods - filet steak

emotional influences 

anger, fear boredom can cause turn to food for comfort 

make irrational food decisions e.g. excessive consumption of fatty foods for instant satisfaction and relief from difficult emotions 

important opt for healthy ways to deal by addressing root cause e.g. talking to friend or getting professional help 

health status

determines foods individual can/cant consume

e.g. person with coeliac - exclude gluten from diet

if person wants to lose weight e.g. they will shop more nutritiously - low sugar low fat foods

marketing and advertising

marketing strategies e.g. sweets at checkout -encourage impulse buying

advertising makes consumers aware of new products available or developments in existing ones e.g. 30% less sugar

companies use celebs to endorse products as can affect young peoples food choices

define endorse 

to show public approval of a product 

sustainability

sustainable food productions means the production of safe, nutritious food within a system that protects natural resources and avoids contributing to climate change

consumers now wish for their food produced in sustainable way

influence to choose in-season produce or locally produced to reduce food miles and environmental pollution

may choose organic as grown without use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides that harm environment