Updating guides…
Explores how cost, culture, religion, ethics, health needs and marketing all shape the food choices people make.
The cost of food and a household's income has a major effect on food choice; some families may be limited to cheaper, more filling foods rather than higher-cost fresh produce or specialist products. Availability also matters — foods that are easy to find in local shops, or that are in season, tend to be chosen more often, while access to transport, cooking equipment and storage space can all affect what a family is realistically able to buy, prepare and store.
Culture and religion strongly influence what people eat, how food is prepared, and when certain foods are eaten. For example, many Hindus avoid beef because cows are considered sacred, many Muslims eat only halal food, prepared according to Islamic law, and many Jewish people follow kosher dietary laws which, among other rules, forbid mixing meat and dairy. Religious festivals often involve specific foods, fasting, or feasting, such as fasting during Ramadan or eating unleavened bread during Passover.
Some people choose foods based on ethical beliefs, such as selecting free-range or higher-welfare products due to concern for animal welfare, or choosing fair trade products to support producers in developing countries. Environmental concerns can lead people to choose foods with lower food miles, less packaging, or a smaller carbon footprint. Lifestyle choices such as following a vegetarian diet (excluding meat and fish) or a vegan diet (excluding all animal products, including dairy and eggs) may be based on ethical, environmental, health or religious reasons.
Medical conditions and allergies significantly restrict some people's food choices. People with coeliac disease must avoid gluten, as it triggers an immune reaction that damages the small intestine, while people with a diagnosed food allergy, such as a nut or shellfish allergy, must avoid even small traces of the allergen due to the risk of a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction. People managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol may also need to limit sugar, salt or saturated fat intake for health reasons.
Advertising, packaging, branding and promotional offers can strongly influence what people choose to buy, particularly through appealing imagery, celebrity endorsement or special offers. Peer influence and social trends, including what is shared on social media, can also shape food choices, especially among teenagers, while time available for cooking often determines whether people choose convenience foods and ready meals over cooking from scratch.