(NAL) Why You Eat What You Eat Lesson

Why You Eat What You Eat Lesson 

It is estimated that the average American, who is 36 years old, eats 1,996 pounds of food each year. Of this food, most of it is milk and other beverages, fruits and vegetables, and of course grains, meats, and dairy. Generally, we do not stop to think how much food we consume. We rarely even think about why we are eating. But, our bodies do have a need for food. We will explore these ideas in this lesson. To begin, take a look at the diagram in the sidebar to see what Americans are eating.

 

Hunger vs. Appetite

Hunger is a physiological need to eat. It is inborn. When the body needs more energy, the stomach sends a message to the brain, telling it that the body needs energy. We get that energy from food (calories).

Example: A person ate a bowl of cereal and a banana for breakfast, but lunch is fast approaching and his/her stomach is growling.

Appetite is more of a learned response. It is usually from external forces such as smells, sights, emotions, and social situations. Appetite increases our desire for food or drink when we may not be hungry, as a result of what we see or smell.

Example: A person just finished his meal, but he spots some chocolate cake. He decides to eat it, even though he is satisfied, simply because he likes the taste of chocolate.

 

Reasons We Eat

Take a look at the chart below to see some basic factors that affect what we eat.

 

Many factors help to determine why we eat and what we choose to eat. It can be that we crave a particular food or we are short on time and we have to pick up something quick. Diet (an individual's normal everyday eating pattern) is often dependent on lifestyle factors, such as work schedules and kids' activities. Religious belief systems may also prohibit the consumption of particular foods. All of these outside forces play into our decisions and ultimately affect our health. Two major factors that play a role in our food choices are income and education.

Income: Studies have found that income level correlates with overall nutrition. The higher the socioeconomic level, the more nutrient dense the diet. Higher socioeconomic groups have been shown to be more likely to consume vegetables and fruit, particularly fresh, not only in higher quantities but also in greater variety.

Education: Some studies indicate that lower education levels correspond with the consumption of fewer fruits and vegetables. As a regular observance, women eat more fruits and vegetables than men.

 

Calorie Demand

Learning to eat when you are hungry is very important. Often, because of the reasons listed on this page, people eat because of an influence other than hunger. There are a set number of calories that every person needs - this is called calorie demand (the amount of energy required, calories, to meet the needs of the metabolism). Basal Metobolic Rate is the basic amount of calories your body burns at rest. To find that amount, use the formula given below:

Women

BMR= 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + ( 4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)

Men

BMR= 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + ( 12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)

Or you can use a quick calculator, here: BMI Calculator. Links to an external site.

Basal metabolic rate can differ from person to person and will change with weight and age. This formula does not take into account lean muscle tissue. Lean muscle tissue weighs more than fat, and so occasionally, this can skew the numbers and make a person appear to be heavier than he or she really is.

Food should be used primarily for energy for our bodies. Calories is another word for energy. So, the more calories an item contains, the more energy it will give the body. If the body has an excess of energy, then the energy will be stored as fat.

 

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