Food Choice Flashcards
Consumer Information
Information can help consumers make informed chpices including; advertising/media/online blogs and forums/packaging/nutrition and health claims/recipe ideas.
Cost and Economic Considerations
The cost of food and money available will influence people’s food choices. If money is limited people may choose to buy more basic items. Luxury items might then be selected for special occasions.
Food Prices
Food prices can and do change thorughout the year and over time because of the following reasons; Climate and weather patterns/crop failure/crop disease/seasonality/conusmer demand/fuel prices go up.
Budgeting
There are many things that we can do to spend money on food wisely including; eating the seasons/stocking up with long shelf life/planning meals/writing a shopping list/making fakeaways rather than buying takeaways/replacing branded food with unbranded cheaper items.
Cultural and Religious Practices
People around the world choose to eat or avoid certain food due to their culture or religion a few examples are islam can only eat fish and halal beef lamb and chicken. Sikhism can only eat lamb chicken and fish due to their religion.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
Some considerations when buying food might be; fair trade/local food/genetically modified food/organic food/free range.
Food Availability
Buying food when it is in season often means that the price is lower technology and importation of food has made food available all year round.
Personal Preferences
A number of factors can influence personal preferences; colour/size/shape of crockery and cutlery used. Portion size. Serving style. Taste/aroma/appearance/texture/shape and colour of food.
Food Provenance
Food provenance is about where the food is grown caught or reared and how it is produced. Food certification and assurance schemes guarantee defined standards of food safety or animal welfare. There are many in the UK including red tractor/the british lion mark/marine stewardship council.
Health Concerns
People may choose their food based on their own or their family’s health and wellbeing such as; allergies and intolerence/body image/health issues/mental health.
Individual Energy and Nutrient Needs
The amount of energy and nutrients needed differs between age groups and between males and females. Energy needs also depends on activity levels. Athletes will have much higher energy requirements due to their high level of activity.
Portion Size
Having a healthy balanced diet is about getting the right tyoes of food and drinks in the right amounts.
Social Considerations
Some social considerations include; body image and peer pressure/development of ready meals and a wider range of conveniance foods/lack of competence and confidence in the kitchen/ lack of time/living arrangement.
