Factors that affect food choice:
·
Culture – different countries/religions have their own eating
patterns
o
E.g. Italian
food, Jews don’t eat pig meat.
·
Availability – Different foods more available at different times
of the year.
o
E.g. brussel
sprouts at Christmas,
o
Canned and frozen
foods makes more foods available all year round.
·
Nutritional Awareness – today people more health conscious. Read food
labels, choosing healthier options. Television and subjects like Home Ec. and
SPHE, make people more aware of nutrition.
·
Sensory Aspects – Our senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, have
major impact. Expectations of flavour, colour, texture temperature appearance.
Colour and design of packaging, instant appeal, food should look fresh
wholesome and attractive.
·
A person’s eating habits – busy lifestyles, increase in fast food and convince
foods. Type and hours of work influence meal times and food choices.
·
Marketing and advertising – advertising aims to increase awareness of a
product, TV, radio, magazines. Marketing influences food choice with
supermarket layouts, promotions and tastings.
·
Cost – your Budget influences choices. Lower
socio-economic group will have fewer luxuries. Higher income more money spent
eating out and travelling abroad which influences food choices
·
Health status – special dietary needs eg high cholesterol – low fat
products, coelaics – gluten free products
CAN SAM Cook Healthy
It is highly unlikely you would be expected to write all of these in an exam, however, I would still recommend trying to know them as they may be incorporated into other answers or they may give you some of them and expect you to give other ones.
