There are many factors with the potential to influence what a person eats. Every individual is swayed by different things, thus there is no one recipe for an individual person's food intake. The following are some factors that may play a part.
What you grow up eating
Many people are influenced by how they were served food as a child. Oftentimes we like the foods that we become accustomed to. They may be like comfort foods for us. You may continue to eat these same foods because they remind you of home or because they are what you know how to cook since you grew up with the recipes. Many families have recipes that are passed down from one generation to the next in almost a sacred ritual. This is why it is so important for parents to teach their children to eat healthy. If they learn this restraint when they are younger, they may have an easier time keeping with it than if they had learned to just eat whatever they fancy no matter how good it is for your body.
The culture
Of course different cultures have different types of foods. You may think that the food of another culture is strange. You may be more open and like ethnic food.
How much you care about your body
Those who are very much into health may be more likely to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Also people who are on a diet or trying to lose weight might also eat more in moderation or healthier.
Other factors
There are a variety of other issues at stake. Obviously you eat the foods that you enjoy. Some people have health restrictions such as an allergy or an intolerance to a certain type of food. Others need to watch their cholesterol or blood pressure and may have to eat accordingly with lower fat or sodium foods. Some people do not like to eat certain types of food for moral reasons such as those who are vegetarians or are vegans. Some people will choose food that is organic or is not processed with chemicals as much. Also, many people consider the prices of the different types of food when choosing what to eat.
There are many different factors that influence your diet, and different people will have varying reasons for making the choices that they do. The above factors may play in part in your culinary decisions.