Meal patterns:
It is thought that eating meals regularly together as a family may help to prevent the onset of eating disorders in children and adolescents. There has been an increase in the habit of grazing over recent decades, and this pattern of eating is one of the factors blamed for rising obesity levels in the UK.

Snacking:
It is eating between meals. If the snacks consist of healthy foods, such as fruits, and do not push the daily calorie intake above energy use, then there is no problem with this. However, snacks consist of high fat, salty and sugary foods so this can be a problem.

Personal tastes:
There are so many people that have likes and dislikes in foods, and very few people like absolutely every food offered to them. Some people feel it is morally wrong to eat animals, and therefore wish to follow a vegetarian diet. Some people extent this to a vegan diet, where no animal products are eaten at all. Religion can also impose restrictions on dietary intake. When providing food and drink for individuals these considerations need to be taken into account, as you also need to ensure that the diet provided is nutritionally balanced. So it is not enough just to serve the same meal to everyone, omitting the foods that are not wanted. They must be replaced with foods of equal nutritional value.

Food availability:
Another influence on the diet taken is the food that is available. You can probably think of many occasions when you have eaten a chocolate bar just because it was in the house, and if it had not have been you might have toast instead, it is important that healthy food is readily available for people using health and social care services, or they too will not eat a healthy diet. Drinks should be readily available. Water should be available at all times, perhaps by leaving jugs of water for people to help themselves. For those who live in