Family Customs A custom is a practice a group of people do often. It is the usual way of doing things. Parents pass on food customs to their children (Figure 1.6). In some families, it is a custom to serve rice at every meal. In other families, it is a custom to serve chicken for Sunday dinner. What food customs does your family have? How do the food customs of your friends’ families differ from your own? Lifestyle Lifestyle can affect food choices. Lifestyle is the type of life you lead. It includes the way you spend your time and use your energy. It is often determined in part by the amount of money you have. People with very busy lives have little time and energy to buy and prepare foods. They often eat foods that are quick and easy to prepare. They may grab fast foods, vending machine foods, and snack foods when they can. People with less hectic schedules have more time to make their own meals. They do not have to rely on quick and easy foods. Food choices are partly based on what a person can afford to buy. People with more money have a wider choice of types and amounts of food than those with less money. Environment The environment also can affect your food choices. The environment is your surroundings and all the experiences you have. Think of your environment as having many layers. The layer closest to you is your home. The next layer is your local community and the organizations within it. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.6 Parents and grandparents teach children food customs. What is a food custom your family practices? 13 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Food, Nutrition, and You