Social
The cultures or societies that people live in, along with the type of contact that individuals have with one another (social factors), influence food choices. The importance of beliefs, traditions and taboos was discussed earlier in this chapter and we have observed that the media, as part of everyday life, influence us to make certain food choices. The type of lifestyle, job and education, size of the family and the importance of hospitality within the social group are also important when we make food choices.
Culture and traditions
Traditions are customs that are repeated at specific times
by members of a group or society. Many traditions relating to special occasions involve food. Festive and social occasions always involve food to some degree, and the meal is often the focus of the event. Family traditions often revolve around food, as do major social and cultural customs in most societies, for example:
• Easter — a time of giving and receiving painted hard boiled eggs, or confectionery and chocolate eggs
by members of a group or society. Many traditions relating to special occasions involve food. Festive and social occasions always involve food to some degree, and the meal is often the focus of the event. Family traditions often revolve around food, as do major social and cultural customs in most societies, for example:
• Easter — a time of giving and receiving painted hard boiled eggs, or confectionery and chocolate eggs
- Chinese New Year — celebration with displays of special foods such as rice cakes
Lifestyle
In general, lifestyle factors that influence food selection relate to:
- Employment- What you choose to eat may depend on the physical demands of your job. For example, construction work requires more energy than working in a video store does. Active jobs require the worker to eat more carbohydrate rich foods for energy, while people who do sedentary work (a task that requires little bodily movement) need to be careful not to overeat.
- Education- Obviously, wiser choices come from having more information about the options.People also become better informed about nutrition and food choices through government programs, reading magazines, watching various television shows, food store hand outs and fast food brochures. The better informed a person is about the nutrient content of foods, dietary requirements and food preparation, the greater the likelihood of wiser food selections.
- Geographic location-the staple food of a country will most likely depend on whether it can be grown given the geography and climatic conditions. If the climate is tropical, then growing sugar cane, pineapples, bananas and coconuts is perfect and these foods will be cheaper, more plentiful and often used in a variety of culinary ways.Climate affects not only the types of food grown in an area but also the food choices people make. Summer brings the desire for bright, fresh, light foods — fresh fruit salads, juices and smoothies, cold quiches and crispy salads, ice creams and barbecues. Winter is the season of porridge and thick soups, meat pies and lunchtime pastas, warm drinks and hot desserts.
- Travel and interests-Most countries are now open to tourists; the internet allows us to make purchases from faraway places; and trade agreements between nations have meant that major events in one part of the world can be felt throughout the rest of the world. When traveling, we experience a wide range of foods, some of which we like and seek out upon returning home. Personal interests and the interests of close personal friends can also influence food choices.
- Household structures and roles-The makeup of the family unit determines the variety, quality and quantity of food consumed in a meal. For example, young children who have very sensitive taste buds prefer less spicy foods, while elderly people may have a reduced sense of taste and often like more heavily flavored (especially salty and sweet) foods. Personal likes and dis likes are often the most important factor in food selection within a household.Catering to different dietary needs within the family may mean that more care needs to be taken to prepare food in an attractive and enjoyable way.
Social interaction
Food has long been a symbol of friendship and hospitality. When friends enter your home one of the first things you do is offer them something to eat and drink.Food helps to create a relaxed atmosphere in which even a shy person can be part of the group by busying themselves with preparing or serving food.
Media
In an affluent country like Australia, the media play a big role in the food selections we make. Advertising of food is everywhere, each day we are exposed to thousands of advertising text, images and sounds from magazines, bill boards, the radio, cinemas, the internet and television.Much of the food advertised through the media is lower in nutritional value than its unprocessed or less refined alternatives. However, these products are presented as if they are the very basis of a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Peer group
An individual’s peers are people in roughly the same age group with the same social status.The influence of the peer group is strongest during adolescence. The need for acceptance makes teenagers eat what and when their friends eat rather than what their parents think they should eat and what is nutritionally sound. Trying new things is safer in a peer group, and sharing food is a good way to get to know people and cement friendships.
Hospitality at home
Family entertaining in the home environment is becoming more informal and less frequent. People’s lives are busier and, with the increasing range of takeaway food outlets and restaurants, it is often easier to have others do the cooking. Working parents do not have the time to shop and cook for a dinner party; it is easier to use takeaway meals or go to a restaurant where the washing up is done by others.
Media
In an affluent country like Australia, the media play a big role in the food selections we make. Advertising of food is everywhere, each day we are exposed to thousands of advertising text, images and sounds from magazines, bill boards, the radio, cinemas, the internet and television.Much of the food advertised through the media is lower in nutritional value than its unprocessed or less refined alternatives. However, these products are presented as if they are the very basis of a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Peer group
An individual’s peers are people in roughly the same age group with the same social status.The influence of the peer group is strongest during adolescence. The need for acceptance makes teenagers eat what and when their friends eat rather than what their parents think they should eat and what is nutritionally sound. Trying new things is safer in a peer group, and sharing food is a good way to get to know people and cement friendships.
Hospitality at home
Family entertaining in the home environment is becoming more informal and less frequent. People’s lives are busier and, with the increasing range of takeaway food outlets and restaurants, it is often easier to have others do the cooking. Working parents do not have the time to shop and cook for a dinner party; it is easier to use takeaway meals or go to a restaurant where the washing up is done by others.