Chapter 5

Lesson 1

Why do you Eat?

Nutrients: substances in food that your body needs to function properly to grow, to repair itself, and to supply you with energy.

Nutrients in food affect all sides of your health triangle. Mental: how you feel Social: how you function and act each day each

day Physical: how you grow and look

Physical Need

Eating habits stem from both a physical need for food and the psychological desire for food.

Food, air, and water are life’s basic needs. Hunger is a natural drive that protects you from

starvation Empty stomach Walls contract, stimulating nerve endings Nerve endings signal your brain to eat After you eat the walls of the stomach are stretched and

nerve endings are no longer stimulated By eating you satisfy the physical need for food. You

feel “full”

Psychological Desire

Mind’s desire for food Eating in response to appetite rather then

hunger Appetite is the desire, rather than a need, to

eat Learned Shaped by environment and emotions

Environment

Culture Food choices reflect the culture you live in as well

as your ethnic background and perhaps your religious beliefs

Picnics, movies, ball games, holidays Teenagers have a culture of their own, eating

practices seem to be part of it.

Environment Cont.

Family and friends Likes and dislikes from childhood will

influences food decisions throughout life As you grow older, friends will influence your

food choices Trying new food at social gatherings, or foods

at friends home

Environment Cont.

Advertising Food ads are everywhere Make you aware of certain foods They try to persuade you of their benefits

and/or taste Some claims of benefits are misleading you

need to listen and judge advertising messages carefully

Environment Cont.

Time and money Taste and nutrition are the top 2 factors that

influence food shopping Cost, convenience, and food safety come

next Busy life styles = easy to cook and eat foods,

microwavable food Cost affect food choices = nutritious food is

pricey

Emotions

Boredom Stress Frustration Depressed Eating to relieve tension or boredom can

result in overeating Some loose their appetite when they are

upset or bored as a result they miss out on important nutrients

Your Eating Habits

Many people are unable to distinguish between appetite and hunger

They eat past the point of feeling full because their appetite continues to be stimulated after their hunger has been satisfied

Many foods that stimulate the appetite are high in fat and calories

Nutrition Throughout Your Life Nutrition is the process by which the body

takes in and uses food Getting nutrients your body needs enables

you to have energy, feel and look your best and stay mentally alert

Good nutrition can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and stroke

Nutrition Throughout Your Life Adolescence is one of the fastest periods of

growth During this time the body needs more energy

from food and has higher nutrients needs than ever

In spite of this teens skip meals and make poor food decisions