Food Choices

Describe the factors (e.g., social, psychological, philosophical, and physical) that drive our food choices.

There are many factors that drive our food choices and many of us are not even aware of them. Do you ever stop and think about why we choose the foods we do other than for pure convenience? One reason for our food choices is social. When we want to spend time with our friends we normally will meet them out at a restaurant and enjoy eating comforting foods. When we get together with our family for holidays the first thing most of us think about is having a good meal with all of our favorite foods. The nutritional value or calorie content is not even considered. I have heard people say that during the holidays everything is calorie-free! Another reason for our food choices is psychological. When we are younger are parents reward us or punish us with food. So as a result, some of us can associate food with affection. This may cause someone to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Another psychological factor that drives our food choices is advertising. There is a billion dollar industry in selling junk food. Many are manufactures spend billions of dollars in advertising to sell their products (“Obese kids love junk,” 2013) When we see people on television consuming sugary cereals or sugary sports drinks and they appear to be so happy, this will persuade you to consume these type foods. Another factor that drives our food choices is just out of habit. If you grow up in a family that indulges in high calorie foods and have no concern for nutritional value or caloric intake, you will most likely consume these foods because you have been eating them your entire life. Another reason is because some foods make you feel better. Like eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup when you are sick or eating a bowl of macaroni and cheese when you feel stressed out. The bottom line here is that there are a lot of factors that contribute to the food choices we make on a daily basis and changing them can be prove to be a challenge. But it is possible with the right information and drive to do so.

Obese kids love junk food advertisements. (2013). Retrieved on March 4, 2013, from http://www.science20.com/news_articles/obese_kids_love_junk_food_advertisements-97667