Fundamentals of Food Technology

Psychological Function of Food

• Psychological Function of Food. In addition to satisfying physical and social needs, food must satisfy certain emotional needs. These include a sense of security, love and attention. Thus familiar foods make us feel secure. Anticipating needs and fulfilling these are expressions of love and attention. These sentiments are the basis of the normal attachment to the mother’s cooking.

• Sharing of food is a token of friendship and acceptance. In a friendly gathering we try unfamiliar foods and thus enlarge our food experiences. It must be noted that even a nutritionally balanced meal may not be satisfying to the individual, if the foods included are unfamiliar or distasteful to him/her. With time and repeated experience, strange foods become familiar and new tastes are formed.

• These aspects are important in food acceptance and must be considered in planning meals, which are not only nutritionally adequate, but also enjoyable for the group for whom they are intended.