Table 4 The food literacy questionnaire (IFLQ-19)

Domain 1: Plan and Manage

 Component 1.1 Prioritise time and money for food

  1.1.1

   Q1_1.1.1R: Compared to other daily activities, food shopping takes up too much of my time

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_1.1.1R: Compared to other daily activities, cooking or preparing food takes up too much of my time

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_1.1.1R: I often run out of time to buy or prepare the food I'd prefer

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q4_1.1.1R: Compared to other daily activities, eating takes up too much of my time

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q5_1.1.1R: Compared to other daily expenses, food takes up too much of my budget

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  1.1.2

   Q1_1.1.2: I always try to have enough money set aside to feed myself and/or the people I'm responsible for

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q2_1.1.2: When I'm running low on money, I prioritise foods based on health

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_1.1.2: When I'm running low on money, I prioritise foods based on taste

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q4_1.1.2: When I'm running low on money, I prioritise foods based on cost

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

 Component 1.2 Plan food intake (formally and informally) so that food can be regularly accessed through some source, irrespective of changes in circumstances or environment

  Q1_1.2: I plan ahead (e.g. for the day or week) when preparing my own food

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

  Q2_1.2: I plan what to buy before I go food shopping

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (2)

d.Often (3)

e.Always (4)

  Q3_1.2: I am able to adapt my plans for what to eat even if my circumstances change

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q4_1.2: I am able to adapt my plans for what to eat even if the food I plan to eat isn't available

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

 Component 1.3 Make feasible food decisions which balance food needs (e.g. nutrition, taste, hunger) with available resources (e.g. time, money, skills, equipment)

  1.3.1

   Q1_1.3.1: When buying from a restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I know how much money I spend in an average week

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_1.3.1: When buying from a restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I compare prices before I buy food

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_1.3.1: When buying from a restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I try to get the best food for the best price

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q4_1.3.1: When buying from a restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I compare prices between similar products in order to get the best value

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q5_1.3.1: When buying from a restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I plan to take advantage of promotions

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  1.3.2

   Q1_1.3.2: When food shopping, I compare prices before I buy food

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_1.3.2: When food shopping, I try to get the best food for the best price

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_1.3.2: When food shopping, I compare prices between similar products in order to get the best value

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q4_1.3.2: When food shopping, I plan to take advantage of promotions

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  1.3.3

   Q1_1.3.3: When food shopping, I know how much money I spend in an average week

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_1.3.3: Even if I don't have my normal amount of time, I can still et the food I prefer

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_1.3.3: Even if I don't have my normal kitchen equipment, I can still eat the food I prefer

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q4_1.3.3: Even if I'm hungry, I prepare the food I had planned

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q5_1.3.3: I balance my nutritional needs with the time, money, skills and kitchen equipment I have

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

Domain 2: Select

 Component 2.1 Access food through multiple sources and know the advantages and disadvantages of these

  Q1_2.1: When eating out, it's important to me that I can find the food I prefer

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

  Q2_2.1: When food shopping in a familiar place, I find the foods I prefer to eat

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

  Q3_2.1: When food shopping in a new place, I find the foods I prefer to eat

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q4_2.1: When buying food from a familiar restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I find the foods I prefer to eat

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

  Q5_2.1: When buying food from a new restaurant, cafe or takeaway, I find the foods I prefer to eat

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

  Q6_2.1: I find the foods I can afford

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

 Component 2.2 Determine what is in a food product, where it came from, how to store it and use it

  2.2.1

   Q1_2.2.1: I know how to find information on how fresh food is grown and produced

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_2.2.1: The ingredients in packaged food products is important to me when deciding what foods to buy

a.Not at all important (1)

b.Slightly important (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Very important (4)

e.Extremely important (5)

   Q3_2.2.1: I compare either the kilojoules, fat, sugar or salt content on food products to guide what I buy

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q4_2.2.1: I know where to find information on the environmental and ethical impact of different foods

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q5_2.2.1: When food shopping, I know how my food is stored before I purchase it

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  2.2.2

   Q1_2.2.2: I find it easy to know what country different foods come from

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_2.2.2: I try to buy fresh food that is currently in season in my country

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q3_2.2.2: When eating out, I can make a judgement on the ingredients in the food I've selected

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q4_2.2.2: When eating out, I can make a judgement on the nutritional value of the food I've selected

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q5_2.2.2: I know where to look for information on what's in packaged foods

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q6_2.2.2: When food shopping, I know what's in packaged foods that I could buy

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q7_2.2.2: I know how to store fruits and vegetables for best freshness and food safety

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Component 2.3 Judge the quality of food

   Q1_2.3R: I am disappointed with my selection of fresh food because it doesn't meet my expectations

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q2_2.3R: I am disappointed with my selection of processed or convenience food because it doesn't meet my expectations

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q3_2.3R: I am disappointed with my selection of foods when eating out because it doesn't meet my expectations

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

Domain 3: Prepare

 Component 3.1 Make a good tasting meal form whatever is available. This includes being able to prepare commonly available foods, efficiently use common pieces of kitchen equipment, and having sufficient repertoire of skills to adapt recipes (written or unwritten) to experiment with food and ingredients

  Q1_3.1: I am able to prepare and eat the food I prefer even if something unexpected happens in the short term

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q2_3.1: I have the skills to prepare and cook affordable foods that I prefer

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q3_3.1: I can prepare a meal using fresh or minimally processed ingredients

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

  Q4_3.1: When preparing food, I am confident about substituting alternative ingredients

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q5_3.1: I am able to prepare the food I prefer even if my health condition changes

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q6_3.1: I know how to find information about preparing different foods

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q7_3.1: When preparing food, I know what to do when something goes wrong

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  Q8_3.1: I am confident preparing food from the ingredients I have on hand

a.Not at all confident (1)

b.Slightly confident (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately confident (4)

e.Extremely confident (5)

Apply basic principles of safe food hygiene and handling

  3.2.1

   Q1_3.2.1: I wash fruit and vegetables before eating them

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q2_3.2.1: After handling raw meat, poultry or fish, I wash my hands

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q3_3.2.1: After slicing raw meat, poultry or fish, I set the cutting board aside and use a different cutting board for other foods

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (2)

d.Often (3)

e.Always (3)

   Q4_3.2.1: Before handling food, I always wash my hands

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q5_3.2.1: I read the storage and expiry date information on packaged food

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q6_3.2.1: I use the storage and expiry date information on food when deciding whether to eat it

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

  3.2.2

   Q1_3.2.2: To prevent food poisoning, your freezer temperature should be at or below -18 degrees Celsius

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Moderately sure (3)

e.Very sure (4)

   Q2_3.2.2: To prevent food poisoning, your refrigerator temperature should be at or below 4 degrees Celsius

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q3_3.2.2: Micro-organisms that cause food poisoning grow in temperatures between 5–60 degrees Celsius

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

Domain 4: Eat

 Component 4.1 Understand food has an impact on personal wellbeing

  4.1.1

   Q1_4.1.1: I know what foods to eat to keep me healthy

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q2_4.1.1: Eating more fruits and vegetables lowers your risk of heart disease

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q3_4.1.1: Eating foods high in saturated fat increases your risk of cardiovascular disease

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q4_4.1.1: Eating foods high in sugar increases your risk of tooth decay

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q5_4.1.1: Eating foods high in salt increases your risk of high blood pressure

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q6_4.1.1: Eating more milk, yoghurt and cheese decreases your risk of weak bones

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

  4.1.2

   Q1_4.1.2: The type of food I eat influences my health

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_4.1.2: The type of food I eat influences my wellbeing

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q3_4.1.2: My emotions influence my food choices

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

Component 4.2 Demonstrate self-awareness of the need to personally balance food intake. This influences knowing foods to include for good health, foods to restrict for good health and appropriate portion size and frequency

  4.2.1

  Q1_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should eat vegetables every day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q2_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should eat fruit every day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q3_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should limit sugary foods and drinks

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q4_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should eat wholegrains every day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q5_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should drink water every day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q6_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should limit processed meats

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q7_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should limit foods with saturated fats

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q8_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should eat milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives every day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Moderately sure (3)

e.Very sure (4)

   Q9_4.2.1: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that people should limit foods with added salt

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q10_4.2.1: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends that adults should eat around 5 serves of vegetables and legumes/beans per day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q11_4.2.1: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends that adults should eat around 2 serves of fruit per day

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

  4.2.2

   Q1_4.2.2: A serve of vegetables is ½ medium potato

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q2_4.2.2: A serve of fruit is 4 dried apricots

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q3_4.2.2: A serve of grains (cereal) foods is ½ cup cooked porridge

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

   Q4_4.2.2: A serve of lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds is 1 cup baked beans

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Moderately sure (3)

e.Very sure (4)

   Q5_4.2.2: A serve of milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives is 2 slices of cheese

a.Not at all sure (1)

b.Somewhat sure (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Moderately sure (4)

e.Very sure (5)

  4.2.3

   Q1_4.2.3: I make a conscious effort to try and eat healthily

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_4.2.3: When deciding what to eat, I think about healthy choices

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_4.2.3: I use the nutritional label on packaged food products to guide my purchases

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

 Component 4.3 Join in and eat in a social way

   Q1_4.3: I am comfortable eating with other people

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q2_4.3: Eating with other people is about more than just food

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q3_4.3: Eating brings people together in an enjoyable way

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)

   Q4_4.3: When eating with other people, it is important to me to sit down and eat at a table

a.Not at all important (1)

b.Slightly important (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Moderately important (3)

e.Extremely important (4)

   Q5_4.3: I eat together with other people

a.Never (1)

b.Rarely (2)

c.Sometimes (3)

d.Often (4)

e.Always (5)

   Q6_4.3: Food is a central part of how I make friends or form relationships with other people

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (3)

d.Agree (4)

e.Strongly agree (5)

   Q7_4.3: Food is a key part of how I celebrate occasions or cultural events with other people

a.Strongly disagree (1)

b.Disagree (2)

c.Neutral (2)

d.Agree (3)

e.Strongly agree (4)