What Your Eating Habits And Favorite Foods Reveal About Your Personality
Some people eat quickly and try new things, while others eat slowly and stick to their favorites. These are more than just eating habits; they also reveal aspects of your personality. Researchers have found that the way people eat and the foods they crave relate to personality traits. To see what your eating personality is, read on.
The Slow Eater
Although slow eaters might feel pressured to catch up to others, they also enjoy every bite. Instead of multitasking, they practice mindfulness--the practice of experiencing moments in the present, not worrying about the past or future.
Studies in Obesity Science & Practice note that mindful eating has some health benefits. Slow eaters tend to consume less and feel fuller, which helps people lose weight.
The Fast Eater
Fast eaters tend to be ambitious, but also impatient. In 2012, a study in PLoS ONE found that fast eaters usually grew up with other fast eaters, which created competition over leftovers.
Although fast eaters are goal-oriented and efficient, they also have higher health risks. In 2017, studies concluded that quick eating raises the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and weight gain.
The Adventurous Eater
Adventurous eaters are open to trying new, unusual items on the menu. They are risk-takers and less likely to resort to autopilot eating, according to Psychology Today.
Adventurous eaters often have a healthier weight, too. In 2015, a study found that people who often eat new things tend to have a lower BMI.
The Picky Eater
Picky eating, known in the scientific community as "food neophobia," appears in both children and adults. Picky eaters tend to be a bit on the anxious side, according to food behavior psychologist Julia Hormes.
"Research on 'food neophobia'...shows that it is related to certain personality traits, including sensation seeking, anxiety, and neuroticism," Hormes told Huffpost.
The Isolationist
Isolationists tend to eat one food at a time, instead of mixing up their meals. Instead of focusing on efficiency like fast eaters, isolationists tend to be more detail-oriented and focus on one problem at a time.
"This behavior conveys a task-oriented personality versus a multi-tasking individual," said behavioral food expert Juliet Boghossian.
The Mixer
Mixers don't care about foods touching. In fact, they prefer to combine foods for taste. Mixers are not afraid of over-committing, and they can take on a lot.
Mixers are not as concerned about the aesthetic of their plates, says doctoral candidate Hana Zickgraf. They're less focused on the details and more on the entire experience.
The Organizer
Organizers hate it when different foods touch on their plate. Although this sounds strange, it has a scientific meaning behind it. According to Odyssey, it tends to be about control.
Organizers don't like it when certain tastes and textures mix. They also appreciated the aesthetic nature of an organized plate.
The Oversharer
Oversharers have no issue sharing food; in fact, they encourage others to try their dish. Oversharers are also trusters and concentrate on the relationship aspect of meals.
"When we share food, it shows trust," said Omri Gillath, a psychology professor at the University of Kansas. "It shows we're willing to give up some of our resources, and it shows we want to get close with someone."
The Protector
Protectors are the opposite of Oversharers. They do not want others to take from their plates. As the name suggests, protectors guard their food and tend to be more independent.
Dr. Jennifer Verdolin, an animal behavior researcher, said that people are more likely to be protective of food because it's seen as a resource. You could say that Protectors are resourceful.
The Chef
Chefs don't just eat their own food; they prefer to cook for others as well. They feel happiest when people are eating and sharing their food.
Chefs tend to be confident and generous. "There's a tremendous amount of confidence-boosting and self-esteem boosting, social worker and culinary therapist Julie Ohana told Huffpost.
The Preparer
Instead of cutting their food as they eat, Preparers cut and arrange their food before digging in. Preparers approach situations strategically and prefer to plan rather than wing it.
Cutting food before eating it can also help with portion control. In 2012, researchers from Arizona State University found that people who cut food before eating tend to lose weight.
The Spice Fanatic
Some people like spicy foods, while others pour hot sauce onto almost every meal. In 2013, scientists at the Institute of Food Technologists compared spice affinity to personality traits.
According to the researchers, spice fanatics are more likely to take risks. It's no coincidence that spice junkies are also adrenaline junkies.
The Produce Lover
While some people prefer chips, others reach for fresh fruits and vegetables. According to 2015 research in the journal Appetite, produce lovers tend to be open to new experiences.
Since there are so many fruits and vegetables to choose from, produce lovers prefer to try new experiences. But they are also conscientious who take care of their health.
The Sweet Tooth
Many people have positive memories of sweet foods like chocolate. So it makes sense that chocolate-lovers are also sweet and love to spread pleasant emotions.
In 2011, researchers from North Dakota State University found that chocolate-lovers tend to be more generous and volunteer to help others. The word "sweet" has a double meaning here.
The Sweet And Sour Diner
There's sweet, there's sour, and then there's both-- like gummy worms and oranges. People who like these foods know how to calm themselves down when they feel anxious or restless.
"Sweets in general are often used as comfort foods, while people seek out sour foods when they're on-edge, restless, or anxious," dietitian and nutritionist Alanna Kessler told Reader's Digest.
The Cheese Champion
Those who prefer cheese over chocolate tend to be personable and adventurous. At least, those were the results from a survey by dating website Skout, which compared personality traits to diet.
Cheese lovers were more likely to donate money to people in need, and they tended to travel more than non-cheese lovers.
The Carnivore
If you love eating meat, you might be more sociable than others. Alan Hirsch, the neurological director from the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, said that carnivores tend to be "gregarious" and “generous to a fault."
One of Hirsch's studies examined people who prefer pepperoni pizza. These people tended to be more extroverted, but also procrastinators.
The Salt And Crunch Aficionado
Does your ideal afternoon include a bag of chips in front of the TV? That might sound lazy, but research indicates the opposite. According to Psychology Spot, people who snack on salt often have ambitious goals and big dreams.
According to Hirsch's studies, people who eat crackers and chips tend to be "contemplative and thoughtful," often prioritizing logic over emotion.
The Ice Cream Regime
Ice cream holds emotional sentiment for many people, which means that ice cream lovers often rely on feelings. According to the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, people who like ice cream are more likely to trust their intuition.
"People who love ice cream often have a child-like innocence or a sense of wonder," Kessler added.
The Acid Adventurer
Lemon water, peaches, citrus fruits, tomato sauce--if you like these acidic foods, you might be creative. Research from Wageningen University found that people who like acidic tastes are excited by new stimuli.
However, acid lovers also tend to have high standards for both themselves and others, according to nutritionist Keith Kantor. They are both artists and perfectionists.
