How To Create Good Eating Habits
Before delving into the factors that determine eating habits, it is necessary to look up the definition in the dictionary. According to the RAE, a habit is the special way of proceeding or behaving acquired by repetition of the same or similar acts or originated by instinctual tendencies. Therefore, we can affirm that it is a behavior based on the choice and consumption of certain foods that we carry out throughout our lives.
In short, they directly influence our health along with other factors such as exercise, psychology, the economy, etc. And, as with any daily act, eating depends on several aspects that we will discuss below.
Factors that influence eating habits
The most important factors that influence eating habits are:
Culture
It encompasses the place where we live, the customs and the gastronomy. You only have to go to another country or region to realize that it is highly variable, since it is an identifying feature.
Furthermore, knowledge as well as values and skills have been passed down between generations over the years. We even have access to a wide variety of food thanks to transportation, the food industry and new technologies.
The family and social environment
Taking into account that eating is a pleasure, doing it together with our loved ones allows social interaction. On the one hand, our parents teach us to eat, so it is essential to make at least 2 family meals every day. On the other hand, our friends and colleagues also influence our eating habits. This is due to the fact of belonging to a certain group, since it is not the same to be a vegetarian or to enjoy fish.
Nor should we forget that the emotions and experiences lived around the table are also key. With this we refer to the fact of eating chocolate when we feel sad, rejecting broccoli if they have forced us to eat it by offering us a piece of cake or any sweet as a reward. Although we are not aware of the situation, memories play a role in these types of associations.
In any case, these influences can be positive (eating fruits and vegetables) or negative (pecking or going to a fast food chain). It even refers to the environment related to the availability of food depending on where you live. Having a market nearby favors access to fresh and seasonal food. On the contrary, the supermarket offers more variety, but of products.
Economic status
Another determining factor is purchasing power, since the price of food and restaurants is different. In addition, working life affects access to certain foods. Consequently, it impacts on the development of diseases. And we live in a society in which the differences are notable, since precariousness has increased.
This implies that the lower classes go to the bakery or fast food, since they are cheaper than organic food or fish. Instead, they cannot afford to eat in a restaurant. However, fruits and vegetables are priced lower but may not have sufficient means to cook them or are located at the bottom, making it easier for them to pick up the cookies.
Food tastes, the biggest determinant of eating habits
Although it may not seem like it, they begin to be created in the womb. Therefore, it is our mother’s diet, which makes us get used to certain flavors, that shapes our habits. In addition, babies have a greater number of taste buds, therefore, they perceive a greater degree of flavor intensity. However, the number is decreasing over the years.
It is also necessary to highlight the presence of certain genes related to the more intense perception of bitter or sweet. If you want to know more about this aspect, take a look at the article on how to create likes.
Subsequently, it depends on the type of food we consume, since the palate gets used to it, making it increasingly expensive to modify them. For this reason, it is advisable to make the changes progressively.
Education
Another condition is the level of knowledge. Years ago, education was for those who could afford it, but since the 80-90s it is mandatory to have a minimum. In addition, the internet and books allow access to a large amount of information. However, it is essential to contrast it or consult reliable sources.
Advertising
Lastly, advertisements influence us unconsciously. Manufacturers and sellers want people to buy their products. For that, the ads seek to convey a message linked to our emotions and tastes, allocating huge amounts of money to design and record them. It is so implicated that the longer the time spent watching television, the greater the intake of fast food and unhealthy snacks.
Likewise, other determining factors when it comes to forging eating habits are culinary skills, hygienic conditions, awareness of health and fashion.
Thus, it is worth noting that this set of factors discussed above interact with each other in such a way that they all configure habits.
Tips for creating healthy eating habits
So far you have been able to know how eating habits are created, but before finishing we would like to give you some tricks to change them.
- First of all, be aware of our food. That is, inform us and savor each bite. Therefore, eat slowly. Thus, you can choose between several options and opt for the healthy ones.
- Avoid any type of distraction while eating, such as mobile, tablet , television, radio, etc.
- Eat at the table with family (when we are little), friends or colleagues. In this way, you get to eat more healthy food.
- Encourage dialogue at the table to create an affective bond.
- Avoid rewarding your children with food and forcing them to finish everything.
- If you are an adult, look for an internal or external motivation to take the step, such as feeling better.
- Go to the market at least 2-3 times a week.
- Take time to plan and prepare weekly meals.
In conclusion, remember that good habits are acquired in childhood although they can be modified later . To achieve this, you can resort to coaching and mindfulness eating (or eating consciously), since you will get the tools to achieve it.
