Factors that Drive Food Choices (e.g. psychological, philosophical, and physical factors)

There are many different factors why people make the choices they do when choosing foods to eat.  Many of the factors that drive our food choices are due to social, psychological, philosophical, as well as physical.  The video below discussing the many different factors that drive our choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlaUwsK5Dy8

Habits that we teach our children will follow them throughout their lives so it is important to teach good healthy habits to ensure they get the proper nutrition throughtout. 

Lets take a look at the social factors that drive our choices like cultures, health, and emotions. There are many cultures that can determine the food choices you make.  These cultures can range from Spanish cultures, African American, Chinese, to all American.  Here in Texas we have a wide variety of cultures ranging from Cajun, to Mexican, to the all time favorite of seafood which is plentiful.

Stress can play a huge role in what we eat and how much we eat. If we are stressed we tend to eat more foods higher in calories.  I have provided a video that discusses the role stress plays in our food choices. Lack of knowledge is another physiological factor that drives the choices as well as habits, and anxiety all are factors of food choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBmmHpUGNv0

Convenience is another factor that drives our food choices.  In busy lifestyles, it is easier to grab a hamburger from a fast food place or grab frozen items and heat in the microwave rather than fixing a home cooked healthy meal.  Some physical factors as well are the availability.  Some smaller places known as food deserts only carry the foods higher in fat (Sizer & Whitney, 2012).

Media plays a role in the food choices as well.  The many advertisements marketing the many different foods for sale are designed to attract the consumer into buying their products. 

Educating ourselves and others are key factors to ensuring people are knowledgeable in the choices they should be making.  Taking ownership and making the right choices ultimately will ensure that you lead a healthy life and improve the longevity of you lifespan. 

Reference

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2012) Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, MyPlate Update (12th ed.). Mason, OH Cengage Learning

You Tube, No Accounting for Taste. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlaUwsK5Dy8

You Tube, Does Stress Make us Crave Bad Foods.  Retreived from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBmmHpUGNv0