Factors Influencing Food Choices

There are many factors that influence our food choices.  Some of the following are included:  individual energy needs, individual health concerns, cultural or religious practices, cost, food availability, individual food preferences, social considerations, environmental considerations, and advertising.

Physical Influence

Individual needs vary based on many factors.  The amount of energy (carbohydrates), protein, fat, vitamins and minerals needed varies based on different age groups, male versus female, and activity levels (Food a Fact For Life).  Women of child-bearing age have special considerations.  For example, the amount of folate and folic acid needed greatly increases during early pregnancy (Food a Fact For Life).  Chronic health problems or medical concerns also influence a person’s diet.  Food allergies and intolerances determine what can and cannot be consumed.  Changes need to be made in the diet to make sure needed nutrients are consumed in other places (Food a Fact For Life).  People with Diabetes or cardiovascular disease must carefully choose what they eat in order to maintain optimal health despite their health concerns (Food a Fact For Life).  There are also considerations that must be made for certain disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, where certain digestive enzymes are lacking.  Supplements must be taken and these people are at risk for malnourishment due to other health concerns.  So, the underlying health concern definitely influences their food choices.

Philosophical Influence

Religious practices can greatly influence certain people’s food choices.  Ethical and religious practices, such as avoiding meat, limit the range of foods one can choose from (Food a Fact For Life).  Religious holidays or seasons, such as Ramadan, also influence what and when food is consumed (Food a Fact For Life).  Choosing to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet also influences food choices.  Substitutions must be made to ensure that all of the essential vitamins and nutrients are consumed.

Psychological Influence

People have distinct tastes.  We eat what we like.  Some foods elicit good memories from childhood.  Some foods look more appetizing or appealing than others.  Some foods are popular and others are not.  Some people avoid certain foods just because of the stigma attached to it.  Advertising and marketing play a huge role in this.  Also, the packaging can be appealing and influence purchase.  These ploys work especially well with children, who then in turn influence parents to purchase!

Social Influence

Differences in socioeconomic classes create differences in diets as well.  Part of that is related to cost and food availability.  Families living on a low income fixed budget need to purchase food that has a long shelf life and can be stretched across the family (Food a Fact For Life).  Food that fills up bellies, such as peanut butter and processed meats, make up the majority of the diet.  These foods may not be the preferred choice or even liked at all, but when it is the difference in eating or not eating, the choice is already made.  Socioeconomics definitely influences food choices, simply by a matter of necessity.

Availability of certain foods also influences what we choose to eat.  Seasonal foods, such as certain types of fresh fruits and vegetables, can only be purchased during certain times (Food a Fact For Life).  Cost for these foods is often cheaper in season.  Certain areas are limited in the types of food offered.  Low income areas in highly populated cities often do not have access to fresh produce (Food a Fact For Life).  It is too expensive to ship into the city and many times spoils or is stolen.  So, the availability of a food determines if it can be added to your diet, thus influencing how one eats.

Two other social concerns include environmental concerns and “social” concerns, such as, human welfare and fair trading.  Making sure that producers in developing countries are paid fair price for their product can be a great concern for some (Food a Fact For Life).  Animal welfare is another “social” concern.  Environmental concerns influence people who want to consume foods free of growth hormone or pesticides (Food a Fact For Life).  Another environmental influence would be not eating foods that are genetically modified (Food a Fact For Life).

Many things can greatly influence our diet.  Staying true to our beliefs and values as well as making sure to consume a well-rounded, healthy diet can be difficulty.

Food-a fact of life.  2009.  Retrieved from:  www.nutrition.org.uk.