The concept of food and eating - Essay Example

?Introduction The concept of food and eating is one which is not only based on the basic components of recipes and fine dining. There are also links to the social stigma surrounding food and the trends which are associated with food and dining. Examining the various aspects of food and dining also leads into more relationships to the meaning of dining in terms of social trends and relationships as well as how this relates to various alternatives. The food trends and the way in which groups of individuals look at food is one which not only pertains to the main ideology of trends and the best tastes within society. The alterations which are made are also reflective of the health and well – being of individuals as well as how this relates to the different concepts of eating and fine dining. Exploring the various social relationships with food and dining creates suggestions which are linked to the current status of health and how this is associated with the components of health, well – being and perspectives which are related to eating and food issues and implementation. Description of Data A series of six articles were looked into and observed to define the concepts of eating and what was associated with social trends in society. Each of the pieces of data was linked to food and eating from an alternative perspective. The data was collected from newspapers and magazines to define the eating trends and the latest concepts pertaining to food habits. This was combined with finding a diversity of data and alternative topics which were associated with the data and approaches which were taken with eating and food habits. The data was not only defined by diversity of food and eating but also by different approaches to describing food and eating and how this related to the different terms and conditions of what food means to various individuals. The data was then able to offer a larger perspective of food and eating within current day society. The first piece of data was inclusive of four stories based on food and eating habits. The data held stories from the first person perspective with smaller paragraphs which linked to individual perspectives relating to food. The first story was based on traditional food in the UK and one individual’s habits of eating every day each week and what the expectations were, specifically because of work and family life habits. The second story was inclusive of the introduction of foreign food into a household, specifically with German and Italian food coming into the household. The food was looked at as innovative and exotic while leading to a feeling of discovery through the types of food which were introduced by family members. The third story was inclusive of a child being introduced to Indian rice and curry and eating this outside of the home. The story shows how trying this shaped the individual’s viewpoint of ethnic foods. The fourth story is an introduction to Chinese food in the UK and how this created a niche market in terms of food and eating habits to those outside of mainstream culture (Then and Now, 2011). The second article is related to the concept of a decade of eating. The article clipping is inclusive of the ideas of innovation in Britain and how these have formed an appreciation of food. There are highlights of the top and most innovative foods from 2001 to 2011 as well as how this relates to agricultural products and changes in what is expected for eating. The data states that there is a radical shift in what people eat, specifically because of the agricultural climate, scares with food and a renaissance in foods from the highlights of culinary arts. The tribute not only comes from changes in agriculture, but also links to the cooking shows and the entertainment sector that has transformed the consumer perspective of good food and the highlights of both morality and high – end cooking that is now in the market (Hayward, 2011). The third article references the problem with obesity and how this relates to eating habits and types of food. The suggestion which is made in this article is to begin with teaching and education toward food. This is not only based on the pressure to eat healthier. The article suggests that there is a movement toward obesity because eating habits are not based around homemade foods. As time for food has gotten shorter and cooking is less a habit, are several which are unable to cook healthy foods and receive the proper standards for eating. The poor nutrition and health inequalities which are now highlighted among society is one which many believe could be altered with teaching and education about food. Having nutritious meals is what is stated will help with obesity as well as with the economic needs of individuals which are not eating properly. The concept is one which then links specifically to remembering how to cook and eat appropriately while focusing on teaching the population how to cook in a manner that is more conducive to health and well – being (Goodchild, 2011). The next article examined was based on Costa, the new coffee house that is emerging into a global entity. The article looked at the growth and recognition of the coffee house, specifically which is noted to have more locations than McDonalds at an international level. The sales growth hit 5.2% in one year, specifically which is carrying surprising results with the current economic situation. In this particular situation, the economy is noted to stop and slow down the amount of activity with restaurants and other areas for food and eating. However, the Costa Coffee is not subjected to the particular economic problems, instead leading to continuous growth in figures of those interested in the coffee. The figures are not only helping with the premium coffee to become a main growth factor but are also leading to global approaches to the coffee houses that are leading to continuous and fast expansion (Bowers, 2011). The observation of food and eating which was then analyzed included a series of ads for Cheap Eats. The advertisement was “Cheap Eats for a week” with different coupons for each day for the grocery store. The focused food included Singapore noodles, Salmon fish cakes, Veg Pasta Bake, Mushroom omelets and Fish pie. The inclusion in the advertisement also had the pricing for each figure, ranging from 62 p to 99 p. The particular ad also stated that one should “give your family a daily treat with these five healthy meals.” The ad then went to state that the recipes were easy to make and cost less than 1 dollar per head. The ad included pictures that were colorful and were inclusive of showing how the whole meal should look after it is cooked (Adowden, 2011). The last article which was observed was based on the dining room and how this was transforming with the eating patterns and habits. The transformation that was noted in this article was not only based on eating habits but also the way in which one approached making and serving food. The point of the article was to show that there was a transformation outside of the dining room, which was a main area for eating away from the kitchen, which was considered a labor area. Instead, many of the newer homes integrated the eating area with the kitchen. This was specific to the changes with the concept of cooking. Instead of it being a chores and main way to care for the household, many now consider the action of cooking as a form of entertainment. The highlight is one which is coming from cooking shows and other forms of entertainment which are associated with the cooking styles. The habit of eating in the kitchen and making this a part of the affair is not only associated with the changes in entertainment and popularity, but one which the article links to the changes of individuals being required to cook even in a busy lifestyle. In the past, this was dedicated to maids and servants where the times now require alternative types of labor and approaches to cooking (Burroughs, 2011). Analytical Strategy The categorization of the data will be made according to the various depictions made about food and health. The categories will include food for the individual, family and social trends which are associated with this. There will be a direct link from the social trends to the other two categories as the significant factor that is altering the way in which this is approached. There will be an association with patterns and meanings based on activities, social relationships, behaviors and history. The ideology will be to examine the various concepts in each of the articles and to find links between each as well as independent ideologies which shape the various articles. The broader topic which will be presented will be based on the movements in social groups and how this is affecting the articles. The presentation of materials is one which is defined specifically by the audience it is able to reach and the relationship which is created from this. Understanding why this approach is taken and what the larger issues are in terms of health, expectations for well – being and trends in food and dining will be approached. This will help to examine not only food and eating habits but also how this is a direct relationship to the socio – cultural relationships and the distinctions which are made with interests by others that are looking into the food and eating habits within society. The link to historical accounts and the social relevance for today will then help to show a pattern and direct identification in terms of social and cultural patterns. Discussion of Data The data which is associated with the food and eating is related directly to the social implications that are a part of health and well – being. It is noted that there is a direct link between the eating habits of individuals to the implications for social sciences and sustainable food chains that are associated with this. The innovations which are available for consumers and the approaches which are taken are contributing to the changes with social sciences and the perspectives which are associated with food trends (Lowe, Phillipson, 2008). Analyzing the individual articles as well as how this relates to food and eating habits within each individual is able to create and establish a different sense of understanding with the agricultural demands and changes as well as the relationship to the environment which is based on the food and eating habits which are associated with social movement. Individual The first observation made among the six articles is based on the individual associations with food and eating. The individual observations of food habits in the first article showed a relationship to eating habits as well as traditional ideas of eating within the home and how this expanded into other cultures. The exploration and discovery of eating was the main voice which was created through this article and which related to the individual. The individual was also referred to in the third article, specifically in reference to obesity. The concept of healthy eating referred to individual preferences that did not allow time for cooking and eating with the various ingredients. The individual in the article on Costa was noted with the trends in coffee and how individuals were interested in coffee, despite the financial conditions which one may have been in. The Cheap Eats article continued with the idea of healthy eating at the home and what one could do for the healthiest meals while saving time. The last article was inclusive of the individual in the contemporary home and the perspective on eating as well as how this had changed. The link to the individual in each of these articles is based on eating habits in the home as well as how this created specific experiences or relationships to health. The individual food behavior is then linked directly to the entertainment available, knowledge which was expected and specific needs within society. The individual consumption, demand and approaches to food are one which follows the comprehension of the ideologies approached in each of the articles. Eating habits based on health are one of the areas which is growing in demand, specifically in terms of healthy and organic food as well as simple and entertaining cooking methods which can be used at different times. Individual changes with healthy eating are also based on concerns with the individual in terms of fitting into lifestyle demands and alterations which are associated with the time frame (Kearney, 2010). Family The second factor which was noted in the articles was the family trends which were associated with the food and eating habits. The family was an implied part of almost every article and the eating habits which were created from this. For instance, in the “Then and Now” stories, there was a direct link to the father in the household discovering new types of foods and bringing them home. The next article based on decade cooking related to the family and to the community by pointing out trends as well as awareness in households toward eating habits. The third article, relating specifically to obesity, called on the responsibility of individuals in the family to begin cooking. This linked specifically to the cooking helping with healthier eating habits and being responsible for obesity. One in a family could take the implications of being responsible for others within the household. The “Cheap Eats” article followed this with healthy eating for the whole family. The implication was based on responsible and healthy eating as well as fitting this into a busy lifestyle for better approaches to food consumption. The last article continued with the family approach by showing how the habits and trends to cooking in the household had altered according to preference and family habits. The important aspect in each of these articles was based on the influence of the family in terms of eating habits and the amount of health which one has. The knowledge one in the family has as well as the approach with the eating and lifestyle approaches then furthered with lifestyle habits. Carrying the voice of how the idea of expanding knowledge of cultural foods, healthy lifestyles and types of cooking became associated with those cooking for the family. The importance of this is one based on the idea of carrying a model toward eating food and associations with the family which is linked to this. The cultural attribute is associated with the familial relationship to nutrition and the model of cooking and giving food based under the pretense of the home food environment. By defining the environment in each of the articles while offering suggestions for better health and living the family is able to take a sense of responsibility with the food and eating habits which are given to children and other adults within the household (Rosenkranz, Dzewaltowski, 2008). Activities Activities relating to food are another indication that relates to the larger environment with eating habits. The activities first begin with consumption of different formats of food. This is inclusive of household habits for eating every day, seen in both articles one and four. The relationship is eating according to lifestyle and health while having easier meals or ones which fit with the daily activities. The activities also link to entertainment, specifically noted in articles 2 and 6. Both articles state that there is a change in the type of meals eaten and cooked, specifically because of popular cooking shows as well as the changing activities and knowledge about agriculture. The effects with this have altered the lifestyle eating habits and the activities for cooking. The activities noted in articles 3 and 4 relate to obese eating, not eating healthy and the trends in eating out, specifically with the growing demand of the coffee house. This shows that the trends are also indicative of consumption in different areas which are continuing to grow and develop, despite health indications. The activities with the article Cheap Eats and with the last article both link this to home cooking, specifically which is mentioned to show a sense of popularity to eating healthier within the home. The ideology of activities which relates to food is based not only on the knowledge and individual preferences. While there are some alterations which occur, the activities are also important to note with consumption because of familiarity and expectations. The knowledge which one has toward foods and the way in which this affects health then develops a different sense of lifestyle which one has. This is combined with the activities relating to lifestyle which most are a part of, such as work, education and extra - curricular functions. These activities in turn change the way in which one associates with the food and health that they are a part of and the approaches taken toward eating. The familiarity of specific types of food, expectations with food habits and other relationships is then able to create and initialize various eating habits that one is able to approach when creating various meals (Salvy et al, 2008). Behaviors Behaviors toward eating and the way in which this is approached within the articles shows two main indications. The first is based on the level of health. Healthy eating, better cooking, overcoming obesity and other themes are common in all of the articles. The Decade article furthers this by identifying healthy eating through the agricultural products and associations which are a part of the behaviors which have changed eating habits. The second set of behaviors is based on popular trends and entertainment. This is inclusive of eating at cafes and of the entertainment which has popularized the culinary arts among homes and individuals. The behaviors have led to more at home cooking that is focused on a healthy lifestyle as well as trends that are more social in nature, such as eating out with various types of products. The behaviors are furthered with past behaviors, such as exploring different cultural types of foods, as opposed to the lifestyle that one has in today’s behaviors. The behaviors that are associated toward eating are not only based on the understanding of food habits and knowledge. According to a recent study (Friese, Hofmann, Wanke, 2008), there are two forms of behavior associated with eating. The first is impulsive and based on seeing or feeling like having a specific type of food. The second is controlled behavior and is based on planning and responding to different forms of food. In both of these applications, there is an interchange behind the choices which one makes and the attitudes and standards which one has toward this. The behaviors relate to the psychological relationship which one has toward food, standards toward the behavior and attitudes about a specific type of food. These various mixtures toward individual standards and the reflections from society then create the different responses in terms of behaviors toward eating and specific types of food (Friese, Hofmann, Wanke, 2008). History The last component which was reflective in all of the articles was the history of food and eating. The approach which was taken was based on tracing back the traditions of food as well as the changes in lifestyle habits which altered how one ate. In the first article, this pertained to the eating habits of the family and what was traditionally expected, as well as how this altered by cultural transformations. In the second article, there was an approach toward historical relationships from agriculture and how this had changed eating habits within the past ten years. The historical relationships in the third, fifth and sixth articles all related to the factors of eating healthy. This was based on gaining further knowledge outside of past cooking in the home which could change how one ate. The sixth article furthered this with the historical relationships to dining and how cooking styles have changed because of lifestyle habits. The historical relationship to Costa was also associated with the growth in coffee houses as a social trend and how this was overtaking other historically known and popular food homes. Another approach which is noted relates to the economic features, specifically with two articles mentioning the Great Depression and how to eat cheaper with the economic difficulties which are currently present in society. The historical relationship between all then shows a change in social trends, family relationships and the association with food consumption toward health and well – being. The relationship of history to food consumption is one which factors in a variety of other elements in creating the relationship to eating. This is inclusive of educational changes within society, cultural changes, sociological expectations, political and economic associations. The socio – cultural elements consist of what one knows about the different areas of society as well as how this links to production and consumption. As cultural affiliations change and grow, there is relevance with the various parts of society and the cultural elements which are a part of this. The political and economic relationships are inclusive of the acts and policies toward agriculture and the relationship this creates toward pricing and changes. It also consists of the economic relationship to consumption and what is affordable. This changes how one approaches the food which is available while changing lifestyle habits according to the food which is available (Germov, Williams, 2009). The various concepts of production and consumption as well as the features which are associated with each of the articles then show that the historical changes with agriculture, socio – cultural status, politics and economics also alter the lifestyle habits and eating associations. Social Trends and Relationships The social trends and relationships which are a part of the various articles all point out that there is a set of ideologies which are created at every level. The social trends relate to eating at home and in an entertaining and healthy manner. It also shows that there are sub – trends with eating out, such as with coffee and other luxury items. At the same time, the social trends relate to the cultural affiliations. Discovering different cultural foods and recipes and bringing these into the home is one which is a part of each of the articles. The trends are furthered with the understanding that health of the individual, family and society is a primary concern. The psychological and emotional relationship at this point is noted in all of the articles, specifically with placing weight on the individual to change eating habits. The trend with economic factors is also noted, specifically with reference to the downturn in the economy and the need to eat quickly and with less money being spent. Each of the factors which are associated with the data used all incorporates into social relationships which are taken. When looking at each of the articles, there is an understanding of the social and cultural status as well as the activities with food and eating which are created. This is evaluated further with understanding how this has altered from historical affiliations because of knowledge, pressure to change lifestyle habits and health issues. The knowledge which is associated with individuals in society and the approaches which are taken with those who are using these with various food habits becomes essential. When analyzing the data, it is noted that the individual choices which are often placed on food habits are also linked directly to the social trends and pressures as well as changes which are occurring in society at any given time. Research Design Issues While the research design was able to portray the social and cultural affiliations with food and eating, there were also limitations with the research design. The articles created were made specifically in relation to the magazine, publication and the expected communication given. The different ideologies were chosen not only for this, but also for sale of the different publication. This may have limited the understanding of various lifestyles and food habits which would have pertained to a different audience. There were also issues with the limited number of articles used. The perspectives may have changed if more articles on eating were provided from historical viewpoints and from other alternative magazines or publications. This may have changed the outlook on the ideas of food and eating and how this relates to society. The data could have further been evaluated with quantitative data, such as statistics based on types of eating in a given area and other relationships to food and consumption from both historical and current events. Expanding the research design would have then built a deeper understanding of the social trends and areas of consumption for individuals. Reflexive Commentary The concept of eating and food is one which many consider an individual choice. However, when looking at these articles, it is noted that there are trends and associations with expectations in society at a given time. By analyzing these different articles, I was able to see that there are specific associations with behaviors, attitudes and psychological links to eating habits. I was also able to see that there were specific ideologies that the articles were conveying, such as healthy, cheap and fast eating at home. The main approach was to target a specific group of members who were already interested in doing this while providing new solutions toward the attitudes, behaviors and activities which were already taking place. The importance of this is in noticing that the individual choices and habits are often depicted by the trends in society and with the knowledge which specific individuals portray to those interested in lifestyle habits and changes. While there was the ability to reflect on the articles and find different pieces of data, I also found that this research study could have been furthered. Relevant data from other areas, comparing this to statistics and looking at other initiatives may have altered the perspective on different social trends. My understanding is that social trends do not incorporate only one or two main associations with the environment and how one responds. There are also groups of individuals which make specific lifestyle choices and which have alternative habits. Examining more data and looking at alternative perspectives may have identified segments of groups which are a part of the trends and which are beginning to transform the way that food and health is looked into. I think that this may have been furthered even more by looking at situations such as agriculture and consumption, specifically because this creates and interlinks with the trends in society. While there may have been changes that would have helped with a deeper understanding of this report, examining and responding to the data is one which provides me with deeper insight into looking at social trends. The food and eating habits that are noticed when looking at these articles show that there are defined relationships that intertwine with individuals and social expectations for eating. The relevance of this is one which holds interest to my own choices and to the lifestyle habits that I often take part in. Defining the social trends first then gaining knowledge on what may be more effective is one which I can keep in mind for my own health, well – being and understanding of various consumption patterns according to the expected trends of a given time frame. 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