Food classifications: Levels and categories

People classify foods into multiple categories to construct order in complex food environments. This investigation in the U.S. used depth interviews and secondary analysis of existing qualitative data sets to examine how the public constructs and uses food classifications. Within sets of culturally recognized food classifications, smaller sets of socially significant classifications are found, and within these socially significant classifications are sets of personally operational classifications used most often in making everyday food choices. Food classifications become salient and are used within specific contexts. Food classifications are multidimensional, and include many organizing themes such as liked/disliked, healthy/ unhealthy, seasonal/out of season, and others. These classification dimensions and categories vary in salience and use within and between individuals and settings. Understanding food classifications may help improve communication between food and health professionals and the public.

Key words:

• Classification
• category
• choice
• cognition
• culture
• food
• nutrition
• eating
• diet
• culture

Notes

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