Cultural and Social Connections Attached to Food

One’s culture has a huge impact on decisions revolving around food. People associate
certain types of food with their cultural heritage. Eating these foods is thus seen as a way of
celebrating cultural heritage (Sizer & Whitney, 2017). Sharing food in some cultures is seen as
way of willingness to share values that the culture stands for. Cultural traditions keep evolving as
people learn about new methods of preparing food (Nordström et al., 2013). Immigrants use food
as the primary method of maintaining and cherishing their cultural heritage. The ingredients and
methods of preparing food vary from one culture to the next. The foods that people like and
dislike are connected to cultures. Some foods are associated with certain cultures. The eating
community is the foundation of all societies (Nordström et al., 2013). Culture cannot exist without
food. Food helps bind members who share the same culture. For example, during
weddings people eat cake. Food helps create a common worldview among individuals who share
a culinary culture. Cultural norms also define the type of food eaten by every community. Ideas
of what is edible have been exchanged over the years. However, some cultures have refused to
embrace certain foods and this has remained to be part of their cultural identity.
Eating behaviors are strongly linked to social norms. One’s social connections have a
huge impact on their dietary choices. Conforming to socially acceptable behavior is adaptive and
people tend to find it to be rewarding (Robinson et al., 2014). Eating norms are set by how
people behave. Cultural expectations as well as environmental cues guide what people view as
appropriate. An eating norm is likely to be followed if it is seen as relevant in the social context.
Social norms are set by people that one identifies with. Evidence shows that social eating norms
contribute towards the development and maintenance of obesity. In America, societal norms
have resulted in many children being obese or overweight. It is estimated that two thirds of

Americans are obese or overweight. The American society has built a cheap food model that has
created a big problem (HBO Documentary Films, 2012,). Advertisements are always advocating
for fast foods and this has resulted in many parents conforming to the societal norms. American
parents are forced to buy their children unhealthy foods that are being advertised in the popular
media and this has resulted in the bringing up of unhealthy kids.
Explain at least three physical, psychological, social, and /or philosophical factors that lead
to our food choices, and discuss how these factors are relevant to your own life.
Some of the factors that influence food choices include taste, cost, and advertising. Taste
is the primary factor that influence one’s choice of food. Every individual has a different taste
and the tasted defines the food that they like and dislike (Sizer & Whitney, 2017). In addition,
economic factors also influence the choice of food. Individuals have a budget that they allocate
to the purchase of food. One thus chooses the food depending on their budget as well as the cost
of the food. Advertisements help people form beliefs on the food that is appropriate and the food
that is inappropriate. Advertisements have resulted in many people embracing fast foods.
In my case, I like vegetables and this plays a huge role in the selection of foods that I find
appropriate. I also consider my budget when making choices that relate to food. If my budget can
accommodate expensive food, I will buy the food. However, in case I feel that the cost of the
food is way over my budget, I do not purchase the food. I also feel that advertisements have
influenced my bad habit of eating fast food. Sensational adverts have attracted me to various fast
food brands.

References

HBO Documentary Films. [HBODocs]. (2012, May 14). The weight of the nation: Part 2 –
Choices (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLv0Vsegmoo
Nordström, K., Coff, C., Jönsson, H., Nordenfelt, L., & Görman, U. (2013). Food and health:
individual, cultural, or scientific matters?. Genes & nutrition, 8(4), 357-363.
Robinson, E., Thomas, J., Aveyard, P., & Higgs, S. (2014). What everyone else is eating: a
systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of informational eating norms on eating
behavior. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(3), 414-429.
Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2017). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies (14th ed.). Mason, OH:
Cengage Learning.