WHY WE EAT WHAT WE EAT

Humans need energy and nutrients in order to survive and will respond to the feelings of hunger and satiety (satisfaction of appetite, state of no hunger between two eating occasions). In general, humans can select their food from a wide range, be it of plant or animal origin. Hunger and satiety are the result of complex physiological processes. Following specific signals (e.g. blood depletion of nutrients, empty stomach), the sensation of hunger arises and creates the need for eating food. As food is eaten satiation will take place leading to the termination of the eating.

We live in a world of plenty, with more than enough food to choose from. But what influences which foods we decide to buy and eat? It's not as simple as you might think. We choose foods for many reasons besides hunger. If eating was as simple as putting gas in a car, we'd have no obesity epidemic in the United States! Personal taste, family preferences, cultural influences, emotional reasons, health concerns, societal pressures, convenience, cost, variety and quantity of the available offerings all come into play when we choose what to eat. The United States enjoys one of the most plentiful food supplies in the world. But with abundance comes overeating and, ultimately the dreaded weight gain and related health problems. If you learn more about what influences your choices, you may be better able to control what you eat each day.

Here are seven of the main factors at work in our food decisions: The main reason we choose a particular food is because we like the way it tastes. We don't eat blueberries because they're an excellent source of antioxidants -- we eat them because they taste good. As soon as you attach denial to a particular food, it becomes an obsession. We know you need your favorite foods; it's your job to be responsible in terms of how often and how much you eat them (unless these favorites happen to be low-calorie fruits and vegetables). It’s not uncommon to be disconnected to your hunger center, and to instead "eat with your eyes." Sometimes, wanting to eat something is all about how yummy it looks. Quick-serve restaurants abound; you can always find a nutritious soup, salad, or grilled chicken sandwich that won't sabotage your diet. Knowing your "diet personality" will offer insight into why you make some of your food choices. Add more choices, and consumption increases by an average of 25%. In contrast, monotonous meals don't usually lead to overeating. Maybe it's just a matter of curiosity. Keep the variety of foods at any particular meal to a minimum. Typically, we eat more when we eat meals away from home and in the company of others. Some studies suggest that the size of the meal we consume increases with the number of people at the table. It's important to deal with food and fitness on a rational level. So take a step back, analyze your decision-making process