food choices

• Family


  • Children and young people generally eat the foods purchased by their parents
  • Parents should involve their children in purchasing a good variety of fresh healthy food
  • Children also watch what their parents eat and are influenced by their parents' likes and dislikes
  • It is therefore important that parents eat well themselves and set a good example
• Lifestyle


  • Many families have busy lives, with members working or at school all day and involved in leisure activities in the evenings
  • This can lead to a greater reliance on takeaways and convenience foods
  • Often, families do not sit down to eat together because they are on different schedules
  • It is important for parents to prioritise enjoying meals together as a family
  • This sets a good example and creates good eating habits in their children
• Cooking skills


  • People with greater cooking skills are more likely to make meals from scratch using fresh ingredients
  • If families do not cook meals from scratch, it is difficult for children to learn the skills needed to prepare meals
  • Families should try to make the time to prepare home-cooked meals together
• Food sustainability


  Buying foods that do not harm the environment
• Sustainability


  • Ecological: How humans interact and impact the environment
  • Production
  • Packaging
  • Transport
  • Pollution
  • Food miles
• Nutritional knowledge


  • A person who educates themselves about nutrition can make healthier choices
  • People should check food labels to avoid foods that are too high in calories, fat, salt and sugar
• Sustainability


  • Ethical: Making decisions about what we believe to be right and wrong
  • Treatment of agricultural workers
  • Rearing of animals for food production
  • Fairtrade
• Nutrients


  • Protein
  • Fats
  • Carbohydrates
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water
• Biodegradable


  The packaging is made from paper or cardboard and can breakdown naturally back into the soil so it is less harmful to the environment
• Staple food


  A food that is eaten frequently in a country and makes up a large part of the diet
• Religion


  • Some religions have traditions or rules regarding food, e.g. the majority of Buddhists are vegetarian and Hindus do not eat beef because they believe the cow is sacred
• Money


  • Low-income families may prioritise bills, such as rent or electricity, and not spend a lot on food
  • Some cheaper foods are highly processed and may contain high levels of salt, sugar and fat
  • Wealthier families may eat out regularly, enjoy expensive foods or experience a wide variety of foods from travelling abroad
  • It is important for families of all incomes to plan their meals and have the skills and knowledge to make healthy choices
  • It is possible to eat healthily on a budget. Low-cost healthy foods include brown rice, eggs, fruits and vegetables
• Money saving tips


  • Buy in season
  • Own brand e.g. tesco rice or aldi tinned tomatoes
  • Bulk buy when on special offer e.g. chicken fillets 5 for €10
  • Make larger amounts and then freeze in portions e.g. bolognese
  • Use up leftovers the next day e.g. chicken in a curry
  • Buy what you need so less waste e.g. buy 1 litre of milk
• Availability


  • The time of year can influence the availability of some foods, as foods can be in-season or out-of-season
  • Nowadays foods are imported into Ireland from all over the world, so most foods are available all year
  • People who live in rural areas, however, may find their choices limited by availability, as local shops will not have the variety of products found in larger supermarkets
• Advertising and marketing


  • Food manufacturers and retailers use advertising to make consumers aware of new or improved products and use marketing techniques to influence our food choices
  • Some shops place special offers or luxury items near the checkout
  • Other brands use celebrity endorsements, where celebrities are paid to say that they use a particular product to influence us to buy it
• Senses and health


  • The five senses are sight, smell, touch, sound and taste
  • We use our five senses when eating. They help us to decide if food is fresh and whether or not we like it
  • For health reasons, some people must choose certain foods over others. For example, a person with coeliac disease must choose foods that are gluten free, such as meat, fruit, vegetables and gluten-free products, e.g. gluten-free pasta
• Food sustainability


  Buying foods that do not harm the environment
• fairtrade


  farmers in developing countries have been paid a fair wage for their work and have good working conditions