They have allowed us to recognize new products such as genetically modified foods in order to reach each individuals need and want. In addition, processed foods such as convenience food have impacted our choice of food dramatically.

When either my sister or i return home from school or university and there is an exam the next day, cooking would take to much of our time and therefore we turn to convenience food where you place it in the microwave and your meal will be prepared in minutes.

In conclusion, as I grew up not holding much knowledge in relation to the appearance, small and flavor of foods, everything seemed new and mysterious. That curiosity has led me to understanding why we need food, why we eat food and the other contributing factors towards food selection patterns.

Afterwards, it has become a habit of my own; however, due to my self-consciousness of my weight, I had changed that habit to taking my frustration out in the gym. From this experience I have understood that food creates a feeling of warmth and your mind can strongly influence what you put in your mouth.

Food has always been socially recognised and has influenced food selections in various ways including factors such as culture, traditions, lifestyle, employment, education, geographic location and peers. During times of illness, it has been a cultural tradition to eat more porridge and soup as it was believed to be the best cure because when you are sick, you tend to not want to eat proper foods and since porridge and soup is a liquid substance, it is easily digested and swallowed.

Also, in previous years living in rural areas was a disadvantage as when the fruit and vegetables had arrived, they were not considered fresh, however not long, transportation became more efficient and products were fresh. I grew up in a small town so food selection was limited; however technology today has advanced so incredibly, when you walk down to the supermarkets, there is a wide range of foods to choose from.

Physiological factors affecting my family’s food selection include hunger, thirst, our reactions to foods and the desire to eat and try new foods.

Referring back to the time I was young, I was always tempted to try new food as my father is a chef and enjoyed experimenting new ways of presenting foods. The appearance immediately gained my attention and the creative arrangement of the dish stimulated my appetite.

From my earliest childhood memory, my parents have always enjoyed the fresh taste of seafood and my siblings consisting of three brothers and a sister has always been meat eaters. As my brothers love all sorts of meat, my sister has an allergy towards prawns and I have always loved spicy foods and the taste seafood up until the stage one day, I ate so much lobster I threw up.

Today, I enjoy eating more fruit and vegetables as I have become highly concerned of my weight and because of this reason I had become a vegetarian for over a year, unfortunately, my body began to crave for meat and my mind soon gave in to my body.

The media has impacted negatively towards my family’s food selection as famous celebrities and models has developed an ideal image for the female body as being slim and are promoting products and diets to help us become thin. My parents are against this attitude as they believe being skinny is not the same as being fit and healthy. They encourage us to skip meals and exercise more often; however, we believe consuming less salt, sugar and fats and more fruit and vegetables is more appropriate.

At the age of twelve, I was once under the influence of the media, they were promoting diets pill to shed weight quick and easy, however I did not understand it was not the best and healthiest way to lose weight and i bought the pills. I eventually became overly obsessed with my weight and consumed more than recommended and fell ill vomiting all night.

Within the household, rice has certainly been our main significant resource in life as it provides enough energy for us to cope through the day. It is also well known as a ’staple food’ throughout all Asian countries as well as being socially accepted throughout the world.

Over the past several years, a healthy diet has become an importance to my family due to the fact that a genetic disease does exist. Although in previous years it has been passed down to the males only, my parents have stated their concern and at present, less oil and less salt has become a healthy habit during cooking. However, once in a while we have a habit of calling take-away or go to a restaurant to eat if no one has prepared dinner.

The most common reasons for skipping breakfast is because they wake up too late, they’re in a hurry, or they’re just not a morning person. Waking up too late could be because they don’t go to sleep until very late. They should try going to bed earlier or set something to eat to run out the door with. People that are in a hurry should also put something out like a granola bar. People who aren’t morning people should pack something to eat later in the day.

Skipping breakfast can cause health problems. Skipping breakfast can cause tooth decay, give you a lower energy level, and can make you lose focus on your schoolwork. Skipping breakfast can also hurt you in the long run. Because you can get tooth decay, it can cause cavities and make you spend money on fill-ins. Because you have a lower energy level, you won’t perform 100% in sports. If you lose focus on your school work, it can lower your grade in that class. Skipping breakfast can cause many long and short term problems.

Not eating breakfast can affect your energy level, give you tooth decay, and affect your schoolwork. Try and grab something to eat if you’re in a rush and make it nutritious. Always eat breakfast, because it’s the most important meal of the day.

Protein is also needs after surgery for timely and proper wound healing. If they were eating the improper amount of protein they patient would have trouble with blood clotting and scar tissue formation. If a patient were to have a poor intake of protein you would encourage the intake of legumes, peas, lentils and peanuts.

You are what you eat because your health reflects on your diet. If an individual eats poorly and has an unbalanced diet it will take a toll on their health. An unhealthy diet may not appear to be a problem for you today but it will catch up with you eventually. If your diet includes a lot of fatty foods, like many Americans, you may become overweight. Being overweight causes a variety of health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a decreased life expectancy. So keep mind that you are what you eat and that it may affect your medical status in the future.

A well balanced diet according to Lutz & Przytulski includes six to eleven servings of grains, two to four servings of fruits and three to five servings of vegetables. Also included in a balanced diet are two to three servings of dairy and two to three servings of meats. Lutz & Prztulski also states that you should eat fats and sweets sparingly. These six food groups compile a balanced diet.

When an individual does not have a well balanced diet they often develop deficiencies. When a person lacks calcium in their diet they are at risk of developing osteoporosis. This is a wasting or deterioration of bone that often leads to a fracture of the bone. You can prevent osteoporosis by having a daily intake of two to three servings. The intake of dairy keeps you bones healthy. Calcium will keep them strong so they do not break or fracture. You may not be able to tell if an individual has a calcium deficiency.

On the other hand when doing an assessment you may be able to tell if someone has a folic acid deficiency. They would have signs of heartburn, diarrhea, red smooth swollen tongue, fatigue, fainting, confusion and even depression. When an individual has a deficiency in folic acid they lack intake of green leafy vegetables, kidney and lima beans, beets and vegetables of the cabbage family. People who are usually develop folic acid deficiencies are poorly nourished children and those that are poverty-stricken.

Each person is different and needs to decide which diet program works for them. Once a diet has been chosen, you need to be strong and stick to it! Water intake is also very important when dieting. It helps flush out your system and helps keep you hydrated; especially when exercising. Lots of fruits and vegetables are also great for you so eat plenty.

Finally talk to you doctor about your exercise and diet plan before you begin. Let the doctor know that you have decided to get into shape and follow an exercise and diet routine and run it by them so they can approve it. A person needs to make sure there are no health problems before they get into an exercise program. This way there are no problems that may arise during your lifestyle change.

Not only following all of these steps will get you into shape, but they will help any person live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Getting into shape makes your body and your mind feel wonderful. Being in shape can lengthen your lifespan and gives you a happier and healthy heart.

It can also help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. In all aspects, getting into shape is one of the best things a person can do. I am now in the process of getting back into shape and I am already feeling great.

First, a person needs to be ready to get into shape or they won’t be motivated enough to stay on a routine. Once a person is ready, they need to choose a workout program that best suites them.

There are many different workout facilities a person can choose from. There are fitness studios for women that offer a great thirty minute workout program, well known gyms such as 24hour fitness, Gold’s gym and Bally Total Fitness, and home workout videos or machines.

Once one has decided which workout system best suites them, they need to meet with someone to get on a program that is right for them. Not one person is the same so every workout routine varies; make sure you have someone help you decide which one works best.

When first starting to exercise, a person needs to start out at a slow pace. If you work to hard to fast exhaustion may occur and you may not be able to continue with your workout. Do a cardio exercise that works for you; cardio is a great way to burn calories and fat. Now when beginning to lift weights, don’t start out to heavy, because muscles can be strained leading to an injury. Lift what you feel is comfortable and three reps should be done with each exercise or machine. Once you are no longer feeling any resistance, more weight can be added to help build more muscle. If toning just wants to be accomplished, start out with the minimum weight settings.

Fitness and nutrition are key factors in staying physically and mentally healthy.  It is a known fact that if you look great and feel great you will live a longer and happier life.  It is important to take one’s age, health, and current physical activity level into consideration when writing a fitness and nutrition plan.  There are many people out there, such as nutritionists, personal trainers, and even one’s own doctor, who can help develop a nutrition and fitness plan that is right for him/her.  We are lucky to live in a country that is so health-conscious.  There are so many facilities out there to help keep you alive and healthy — why not take advantage of them?!