Economic Factors
How Can Economics Affect Food Choice Money, values and consumer skills all affect a person's food purchases. The cost of different foods and the availability for an individual to be able to afford to purchase certain food products can hugely influence the eating choices of an individual. Low income earners generally have an unbalanced diet and a low intake of fruits and vegetables, while high income earners result in a more balanced diet with healthy eating choices and new food options available. Individual's with low income can be forced to resist experimenting with new food varieties in fear of the food being wasted or rejected by family members. This limits the variety of foods consumed by the family.
Cost is a particularly important factor in the choices people make revolving around food. In some cases the least healthy options are the most affordable but the price of food does not necessarily offer an indication of its nutritional value. Low income earners sometimes find it difficult to purchase nutritious food options because meeting the Australia Dietary Guidelines requires a large variety of healthy food options to be purchased. With a limited money supply buying fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy and meats is a hard task, especially with the increased prices in a majority of these food groups. Many low income earners are faced with the challenge of choosing between an inexpensive and quick meal or an expensive and healthy dish. Not having enough money to buy the right foods can make meeting your nutritional needs difficult. But with the correct planning and budgeting buying healthier and better quality foods is possible.
Cost is a particularly important factor in the choices people make revolving around food. In some cases the least healthy options are the most affordable but the price of food does not necessarily offer an indication of its nutritional value. Low income earners sometimes find it difficult to purchase nutritious food options because meeting the Australia Dietary Guidelines requires a large variety of healthy food options to be purchased. With a limited money supply buying fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy and meats is a hard task, especially with the increased prices in a majority of these food groups. Many low income earners are faced with the challenge of choosing between an inexpensive and quick meal or an expensive and healthy dish. Not having enough money to buy the right foods can make meeting your nutritional needs difficult. But with the correct planning and budgeting buying healthier and better quality foods is possible.