Why We Eat What We Eat

Why we eat what we eat

Why we eat what we eat refers to why and how people eat, which foods they eat, and with whom they eat, as well as the way people store, use, and discard food. Individual, social, cultural, religious, economic, and political factors all influence the way people eat there food.

Economic

Money, values, and the consumer all affect what a person purchases. The price of a food is not an indicator of its nutritional value. Cost is a combination of a food's availability, status, and demand. There are differences in social classes with regard to food. Low-income groups in particular, have a greater tendency to consume unbalanced diets and have low intakes of fruit and vegetables. This leads to both under-nutrition and over-nutrition within the members of a community, depending on the gender and/or age group.

Factors influencing food choice are not only based upon individual preferences, but are by economics. Low-income groups face specific challenges when trying dietary change and solutions need to be specifically targeted. High-income groups have the opportunity to try any types of food. This influences the way we eat.

Political

Food politics are the political aspects of the production, control, regulation, inspection, distribution and consumption of food. Politics can be really affected by the ethical, cultural and medical disputes concerning proper farming, agricultural and retailing methods. Political factors also influence food availability and trends. Food laws and trade agreements affect what is available within and across countries, and also affect food prices. Food labelling laws determine what consumers know about the food they purchase.

Technological

Technology has indeed had an impact on how and what we ...

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...are eaten in some cultures, though they are unacceptable food sources in other cultures. There are also rules concerning with whom it is appropriate to eat.

Health

What we eat often depends on our health and what we eat also effects your health . When you are sick, it is normal for your appetite to decrease and to eat less. Sometimes, an unusually small or large appetite that persists can indicate a health condition that should be treated. The food we eat gives our bodies the information and materials they need to function properly. If we don't get the right information, our body processes suffer and our health declines.

If we get too much food, or food that gives our bodies the wrong instructions, we can become overweight and at risk for the development of diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. What we eat is central to our health.