Influences
INFLUENCES on food Choices What we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat are all decisions influenced by the environment around us. What kinds of things influence us every day? • Advertising : promotions are often aimed at children and young people and often promote unhealthy foods. • Price : healthy foods sometimes cost more than less healthy options (for example, milk vs fizzy drinks). • Packaging size : single package sizes may seem to be an appropriate amount for a single serving - but there can be more than one recommended serving contained in the package (for example, Large Fries vs Small Fries). • Food Source : when we buy prepared food, it is often higher in fat, salt and/or sugar, but lower in dietary fibre and other nutrients. • Distractions : doing other things while eating (for example, watching TV, playing computer games) can lead to eating a larger quantity of food without noticing it. • Peer Pressure : eating what your friends are eating may not always be the best choice. • Time : busier lifestyles can leave less time for preparing fresh meals at home.
To find out more about Life Education Trust in your local area visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz or call 0800 454 333
What can I do? • Helping to plan and prepare meals can help me learn about nutrition and be aware of what I eat. • Understanding the nutrition panels on food packets will help me be aware of what is in the food that I buy and help me make healthier food choices.
Do we all think about food the same way? Questions for further inquiry: • • • • •
How do we use food when we celebrate? What is special about these foods? How is this different to what we normally eat? Who prepares these foods? What would happen if we ate these foods every day?
References
Ministry of Health. (2012). New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2 - 18 years); A Background paper. Wellington, NZ. Ministry of Health. Ministry of Education Teaching in HPE n.d. Retrieved from http://health.tki.org.nz./Teaching-in-HPE/Key-resources 25 March 2015 With support from
JSB Education
LET NZ 26 March 2015
To find out more about Life Education Trust in your local area visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz or call 0800 454 333
To find out more about Life Education Trust in your local area visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz or call 0800 454 333
What can I do? • Helping to plan and prepare meals can help me learn about nutrition and be aware of what I eat. • Understanding the nutrition panels on food packets will help me be aware of what is in the food that I buy and help me make healthier food choices.
Do we all think about food the same way? Questions for further inquiry: • • • • •
How do we use food when we celebrate? What is special about these foods? How is this different to what we normally eat? Who prepares these foods? What would happen if we ate these foods every day?
References
Ministry of Health. (2012). New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2 - 18 years); A Background paper. Wellington, NZ. Ministry of Health. Ministry of Education Teaching in HPE n.d. Retrieved from http://health.tki.org.nz./Teaching-in-HPE/Key-resources 25 March 2015 With support from
JSB Education
LET NZ 26 March 2015
To find out more about Life Education Trust in your local area visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz or call 0800 454 333
