Evaluation of food selection patterns and preferences

Recently, studies related to food preferences and selection patterns are gaining more importance because of their multidimensional scope and applications. Data from these studies are widely applicable in areas ranging from consumption forecasting and menu planning in hospitals, restaurants, schools, etc. to nutrition evaluation. Also, they are immensely useful in studies related to various diseases and disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Evidently, there is considerable lack of information available on this subject, especially on the applicable methodology. This article is, therefore, designed to present in a nutshell an up‐to‐date review on research, methodology and applications of food patterns and preferences, with emphasis on their nutritional impact.