Our goal in this paper is to examine the role and influence of economic fac
tors, defined rather broadly, on consumer food choices, and, hence, nutriti
onal outcomes. We attempt to do this in a non-technical fashion. We examine
the role of prices, especially as they relate to the affordability of food
in the United States and as a policy lever. Income is analyzed as a drivin
g force behind changes in eating habits, in particular increasing the deman
d for convenience. The role of time constraints as well as time preference
are examined as links to healthy eating habits and as fords behind current
trends in eating patterns. Information and knowledge are given prominent pl
ay as counter balances to economic forces driving eating habits. We conclud
e with and examination into maternal nutrition knowledge and children's die
tary quality. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.