Food choice and emotions: Comparison between low and middle income populations

•We studied food choice motives among low- and middle-income populations.•We analyzed emotions associated with key food products also in low- and middle-income populations.•Income level was an important factor in food-choice motives.•Negative emotions were checked more frequently by low-income than by middle-income respondents.

Food choice motives and food-related emotions in two income households were evaluated. 320 women between 22 and 55 years, half low income (LI) and half middle income (MI), from two Argentine cities, small and large, participated in this study. For food choice 23 motives were considered, using a Best–Worse questionnaire. Regarding emotions, respondents checked all-that-applied of 33 emotions for 6 emblematic foods. Results were analyzed by generalized linear models and correspondence analysis. While differences between cities were small, differences between income levels were important.