My response- 1. Where do you fall in the spectrum of consumer shopping preferences for food and what generally drives your purchasing decisions?

Before, my preference fell in theomnivoresection of the consumer shopping preferences spectrum; this is mainly because the taste was my number one food purchase driver, followed bythe cost to satietyratio, which is the ratio of how filling a food purchase is in proportion to its price. Health has also been one of my considerations, but it almost always came last. I've rarely considered the environmental impact and animal welfare before, maybe because I didn't personally see or feel how it made an impact on me and my society, which was not an excuse but perhaps a reason to educate myself on how I, as a consumer make an impact on myself and my community.

2. How have your preferences changed over time? Explain your preferences.

Nowadays, I'd like to think I'm much nearer to being aflexitarian,I still eat food that I've eaten before, but if given a choice, I'd choose the healthier option. With this in mind, I'd still rather eat a salad than eat pretend meat; the taste is just different; plus in my mind, if vegans or vegetarians don't like meat so much, why eat pretend meat at all? Does eating pretend meat make them pretend to love meat? I still don't exactly understand, but I accept it. Nowadays, I'm also more concerned about environmental impact and animal welfare, but in varying degrees. I don't listen to what my vegetarian or vegan friend says, and I do research on the food I purchase or plan to purchase. I study how farming, agriculture, and food processing work. I learn more about how different food types affect my health and diet. I may not be a full-fledged flexitarian, but I think it's a step in the right direction. I know I'm not just doing this to follow a trend or pretend to be something I'm not. I'm doing this because I've learned the benefits of being smart about my health and how I live my life. Cleaning up or smartening up one aspect of my lifestyle is a choice that may be difficult at first because of all the changes in habits and decision-making, as with all life changes. Still, if it's a change that could benefit me greatly and affect society positively, however minuscule it is, it's a change worth thriving for. I may not be ready to advocate these changes I'm taking and trying to practice religiously, for I know I'm not a hundred percent devoted to it yet, but I am trying. I still fail a lot of times to make the right choice for purchasing food; old habits die hard. Most of us have our favorite snacks, meals, drinks, and other well-loved traditions when it comes to food, and these are the most challenging tests on making the right choice. It's all a process; just actively knowing that I have an option to make every time I feel the need to purchase food is a challenge on its own. These changes and challenges are not the only ones that are difficult to practice. Explaining to people that know you are also an arduous task. It's always easier to eat what their eating or get what their getting, but I believe that most of the time, the tough choices are often the better choices.

My roommates response - I'm an omnivore, and my purchasing decision is generally based on my preference of menu and price. I enjoy eating both vegetables and meats, but plant-based products are sometimes more expensive than animal-based ones, so I have to buy meat or dairy products instead.

My preference has not really changed. Although I still cannot give up eating meat, I try to buy more plant-based products because they are healthier. I also try to get pasture-raised meats when they are available.

Main question -

1. How are your current preferences similar or different than theirs?

2. Would your optimal bundle of fast food purchases change if your usual order is also available in non-meat options? If you don't consume fast food, would you consider consuming it there are plant-based options? Explain your preferences.