A Healthy Diet and Factors That Affect Our Food Choices

Many American's have a different perspective on what a healthy diet means to them.  Some believe that a healthy diet is one in which the reduced intake of carbohydrates is the key.  Others believe lower intakes of proteins and or fats are the key.  Finally, some believe minimizing calorie intake will gain success in achieving a healthy diet.  When in reality, all are considered key recommendations according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, along with other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and water.  According to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) committee, a diet that provides adequate energy will provide adequate nutrients, which will help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases (Sizer & Whitney, 2013).   

Many different factors drive our choices for the types of food that we eat.  Some of the choices could be due to social factors such as family customs or traditions, social gatherings, peer pressure, or advertisements from television, radio, or magazines ("nutritionaldata," 2012).  Other choices may result from psychological factors such as being an emotional eater, bad habits, boredom, poor relationship with food, or the love of food.  Physical factors that may influence our choices could stem from having cravings, being hungry, or the concern of appearance.  Last, environmental factors, which include cost of food, availability of food, convenience, and poverty can also have an effect on our choices ("nutritionaldata," 2012). 

 

There is a huge difference in portion sizes today compared to thirty years ago, which have become a negative factor.  These factors can cause a person to not only choose the wrong types of foods, but also over indulge in those foods.  Many people eat simply because they want to eat, not because their bodies require it. 

 

For these reasons, it is important to understand what a healthy diet is.  Having this understanding will reduce the risk of adopting unhealthy eating habits.  Behavior change is an individual responsibility that involves six stages.  Knowing your status in each stage will help achieve the goal of behavior change and impose the adoption of healthy eating

Reference

Factors that drive our food choices. (2012). Retrieved from https://nutritionaldata.wordpress.com/factors-that-drive-our-food-choices/

Sizer, F. S., & Whitney, E. (2013). Nutrition concepts & controversies (13th ed.). [Vitalsource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781285785981/pages/269964551