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=**Factors That Influence Food Choices**= =**Global Food Factors**=



Around the globe, their are common themes and ingredients shared by most cultures. However, there is also a large variety of foods and dishes from culture to culture. Cuisines are unique to each culture around the world.

What causes this variety? If you had been born in Zambia would you eat bugs for breakfast? Or sheep intestines (haggis) if you were born in Scotland?

=**Major Influencing Factors**=

Several major factors that influence the foods each culture eat. 1. **Influencing Cultures -** A region's foods are primarily influenced by the culture of 2 distinct groups of people - Those living in the land (natives) and the culture of the surrounding people or those who settle in the land (immigrants)

2. **Region/Geography** **-** The region where you live and the geography of that region play a major factor in the foods that are available to you. The climate of that also shapes the food that you eat and what foods are available.

3.**Religion/Beliefs** - The religion or belief system of the people living in the region often shapes the foods that are consumed

The colonization by another country of a region and/or its independence play a major role in the development of culture and cuisine.
 * 4. The History of the Region – **

=Other Influencing Factors=
 * Other factors that influence culture and cuisine include:**
 * !. economics,**
 * 2. The lifestyle of those living in the region**
 * 3. The personal taste of those living in the region.**

Explore the links below to learn more about how each factor influences a culture and its cuisine. Factors That Influence Food Choices