Food Choices (AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition)

Understanding food choices

• People make food choices for a variety of reasons, including:

  • religious

  • cultural

  • ethical

  • medical

Religious reasons for making food choices

Buddhism

• For Buddhists:

  • most are vegetarian or vegan

  • most avoid alcohol

  • monks and nuns may fast in the afternoon

• Buddhists celebrate the festival of Wesak

  • During this festival vegetarian food is eaten and no alcohol is consumed

Christianity

• Christian dietary traditions include:

  • many Christians observe Lent, during which they may give up certain foods for 40 days and 40 nights

  • some Catholics fast on Fridays and during the run-up to Lent

• Christian festivals include:

  • Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of Jesus

    • During Christmas traditional foods are eaten, such as roast turkey and mince pies

  • Easter, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

    • Traditional foods include hot cross buns and simnel cake

Hinduism

• For Hindus:

  • cows are considered sacred so beef and beef products are prohibited

    • This does not include milk as no animals are killed to produce the milk

  • there is an emphasis on ahimsa (non-violence) and so many Hindus are vegetarian

  • many don't drink alcohol

• Hindu festivals include:

  • Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated by the exchange of sweets

  • Navrati, during which Hindus observe 24 hours of fasting

Amila Tennakoon, via Wikimedia Commons

Islam

• For Muslims:

  • pork and pork products are prohibited

  • meat must be halal

    • Halal food is slaughtered in a particular way

  • alcohol is forbidden

  • seafood cannot be eaten, though fish with fins can

• Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid which marks the end of Ramadan

  • Ramadan is a month-long fast during which Muslims do not eat in daylight hours

Judaism

• Jewish dietary laws state that:

  • shellfish and pork are prohibited

  • dairy and meat must not be eaten in the same meal

  • food must be kosher (fit for consumption)

    • Kosher meat comes from animals that have been slaughtered in a particular way

    • Kosher animals have split hooves and chew the cud, e.g. cows and deer

    • Fish must have fins to be considered kosher

• Jewish festivals which involve specific foods include:

  • Passover, celebrated with a special meal and the eating unleavened bread

  • Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, celebrated by eating a special meal and apples dipped in honey

  • Yom Kippur, a 24-hour fasting day where families eat a meal before sunset and then observe a day of fasting and prayers until the following sunset

  • Hanukkah, the festival of lights; during the celebration lots of special foods are eaten

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Rastafarianism

• For Rastafarians:

  • an I-tal diet is eaten, which emphasises natural and clean eating

    • This includes avoidance of food that has been chemically modified or contains artificial additives

    • The diet often focuses on fruit and vegetables

  • salt is not used in cooking

  • pork is avoided

  • fish that are longer than 12 inches long are avoided

  • many Rastafarians are vegetarian or vegan

  • alcohol is not consumed

  • no milk or coffee is consumed, but instead, there is a preference for herbal teas

• Rastafarians celebrate the birthday of Haile Selassie, a divine figure in Rastafarianism, with community gatherings and feasts

Sikhism

• For Sikhs:

  • cows are considered sacred so beef and beef products are prohibited

    • This does not include milk as no animals are killed to produce the milk

  • kosher or halal meats are prohibited as this method of slaughter is considered inhumane

  • alcohol, tobacco and intoxicants are avoided

  • many Sikhs are vegetarian

• Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism

  • During this festival, Sikhs eat their sacred pudding Karah Parshad

Cultural reasons for making food choices

• Culture is a concept that encompasses:

  • beliefs

  • customs

  • practices

  • behaviours

  • artifacts that represent groups or society

• The many different aspects of culture have direct influences on food choices

Ethical and moral reasons for making food choices

• Perceptions of what is morally or ethically acceptable in the production and preparation of food varies between individuals

• Ethical and moral considerations may affect food choices, e.g. with the avoidance of:

  • foods produced by inhumane methods that compromise the welfare of animals

  • products for which producers have not been fairly compensated

    • Buying products labelled as fairtrade ensures that workers have been ethically treated

  • products which have been imported over a long distance and consequently have a large carbon footprint

    • Shoppers may avoid this by choosing to buy local produce

  • products that have been produced using potentially harmful chemicals, such as fertilisers or pesticides

    • Buying organic produce avoids this issue

  • genetically modified (GM) products which may have uncertain long term health or environmental impacts

JonnyVid, via Pixabay

Medical reasons for making food choices

Intolerances

• Gluten: a protein found in wheat, rye and barley

  • Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is a condition in which gluten ingestion results in symptoms such as:

    • bloating

    • diarrhoea

    • abdominal pain

    • headaches

    • fatigue

    • joint pain

  • There are gluten-free alternatives to many food products which can be used to modify many recipes for gluten intolerant individuals

• Lactose: a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products

  • People who are lactose intolerant may be unable to digest lactose, and so experience symptoms such as:

    • bloating

    • gas

    • diarrhoea

  • Lactose-intolerant individuals should avoid dairy products or choose lactose-free alternatives

Allergies

• Individuals with food allergies must avoid foods that trigger allergic reactions

• Examples of such allergens include

  1. nuts, e.g. peanuts and tree nuts

  2. egg

  3. milk

  4. wheat

  5. fish

  6. shellfish

• An allergic reaction may occur if an individual ingests one of their allergens; reactions can include:

  • skin rashes or hives

  • itchiness of the mouth, eyes and skin

  • swollen lips, face or eyes

  • breathing difficulties

• In serious cases, an individual may experience anaphylactic shock

  • swelling in the mouth or throat

  • blocking of the airways (partially or completely)

  • difficulty speaking

• When anaphylactic shock occurs an EpiPen should be used immediately to reduce the risk of death