“WHY WE EAT WHAT WE EAT”
Objective 5.00
External Influences
- Media - When you see commercials on T.V. of food and it looks good and is made out to be good then there is a higher chance of you purchasing it.
- Economics - When you don't have a lot of money its hard to buy all natural healthy foods because they are more expensive than fast food or frozen food.
- Environmental - Where you are raised influences what you eat because different places have different things like if you live on the coast you probably eat more fish / seafood while people who don't live close to a beach eat more beef, chicken etc.
- Technological - Its easier to do things like order a pizza online and just pick it up on your way home then to go cook a meal.
Individual Influences
- Physiological - Gender, age, caloric/nutritional needs, wellness and activity level all affect this aspect.
- Psychological - Things like emotions stress and appetite affect the psychological part.
- Personal - People have different tastes such as some people like spicy food while others might not like spicy things.
- Cultural - Some people don't eat certain things at all in their culture or they may have things like lent where they can't eat most meats only fish.
- Traditions - Different holidays bring traditions like my family always makes green bean casserole at thanksgiving.
Healthy Food Choices
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans -
- Weight management - A healthy BMI (body mass index) is between 18 and 25, between 25 and 30 is over weight, above 30 is obese and under 18 in under weight. on average you should try to stay between 18 and 25 but certain things may affect this like muscle. You should eat healthy and exercise regularly to keep your self health and to help lose/maintain your weight.
- Physical activity needs - Between 18 - 64 years of age you should have at least 2 1/2 hours of physical activity every week. 6 - 17 years of age should have at least 60min of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week.
- My plate compared to 'food pyramid' -The food pyramid started at the bottom with what you needed most of to the top which was what you needed the least of, My plate splits it into more even sections and incorporates all groups as needed.
- Nutritional labels on packaging - Things such as calories, carbs, sugar, sodium etc. can be found here.
- "Over 50, pregnant women, children and teen diets" People over 50 need more calcium then they did before to keep their bones strong. Pregnant women need calcium and more iron than normally. Children need calcium to make their bones strong also they need iron, vitamin B (folate), Vitamin A and vitamin C. Teens need things like Vitamin D calcium and Carbs.