Page 85 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

Family and culture influence food habits.
Source: US Department of Agriculture.

The practitioner should consult and listen carefully to the client, because he or she is the best source of
information about the types of foods consumed. Based on this assessment, the practitioner may determine
that those who are more acculturated need more help in selecting healthy American foods. Similarly, those
who are less acculturated may need help modifying their culture’s traditional recipes if they are unhealthy.

Americans experiment with foods and mix the foods from a variety of cultural traditions, thus making
eating practices a diverse cultural smorgasbord. Regional areas of the United States, such as Tex-Mex, New
England, the Midwest, and the Southwest may also affect one’s food choices. Examples of regional foods are
New England clam chowder, Boston baked beans, Southern grits, New Orleans jambalaya, Texas chili,
California sourdough bread, and Wisconsin fish boil. Similar regional differences are found within other
countries as well.

The goal of nutrition counseling and education is to help clients modify and manage food choices and
eating behaviors by creating individualized action plans. However, psychologists tell us that food and language
are cultural traits humans learn first, and the ones that they change with the greatest reluctance. A major
influence is the food eaten during childhood that forever defines what is familiar and brings comfort. Food
preferences from childhood continue to be exhibited by adults, showing the profound role that early family
experiences have in shaping food habits.27 Changing one’s dietary choices is possible but not easily
accomplished, and some intervention strategies are more effective than others. One should remember that
respect must always be shown for the client’s choice of foods. Many times, these choices are based on family
habits, traditions, or beliefs.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1

Describe your own food preferences from childhood and their relationship with your current
food and lifestyle choices.

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