Food practices, emotions, feelings and affections: comparison between foods with different levels of processing

Abstract

What is considered food is selected in a non-random way, making it a complex object. This process is related to the culture and the identity of the individuals, and is also permeated with meanings and the sensitive field, which is connected with affectivity, feelings, emotions and memories. The current Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population, launched in 2014, shows that the ultra-processed foods have an effect on the food practices and in the quality and amount of nutrients consumed, pointing out the negative effects on health and food culture associated with the high consumption of these foods. However, there is a lack of studies dedicated to investigating the affections that permeate the sensitive field of eating such foods, in terms of how these relate to feelings, symbolic values and memories. These factors are important because they influence the consumption of these types of foods and in the execution of the alimentary practices encouraged by the Guidelines. Thus, the present project aims to explore how eating practices interact with feelings, emotions, and memories among women from Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, with especial focus on regional and ultra-processed foods. The present project has a qualitative design, and is part of a longitudinal project in progress, called "Estudo MINA - Materno-Infantil no Acre: coorte de nascimentos da Amazônia ocidental brasileira". The method of data collection is in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which will be transcribed in its integrity for the data analysis. The analysis will be performed through the steps of pre-analysis, exploration of the material with elaboration of a codebook and codification, with help of the MAXQDA software. After performing these steps, the data interpretation will allow the development of conclusions that will help in understanding how feelings, emotions and memory relate to eating practices and food choices, and may interact with determinants of maternal and child health and nutrition. (AU)