Do you find it hard to resist temptation when you are at the food buffet? All the food on display just looks so tempting!
It may be because you are a “craver” – one of six food personalities identified by recent research. “Cravers have difficulties with temptation, “ says Dr Emily Brindal, Human Behaviour Specialist and researcher. For example, cravers might comfort themselves with a slice of cake after a hard day at work because they crave the comfort.
More than 245,000 people took part in the Diet Types Study that was recently concluded by CSIRO or the Commonwealth Scientific and Innovation Research Organisation in Australia. CSIRO is globally respected for scientific research into everything from food safety and the environment to wellness. Researchers at CSIRO launched the Diet Types study to understand the lifestyle and personality triggers that make us overeat.
“Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each personality type will help us put in place strategies to engage the strengths and support the weaknesses, “ says Pennie McCoy, CSIRO Total Wellbeing Dietician. “No foods are off-limits for anyone. But by understanding yourself better you can help you adapt your habits around food. There are no right or wrong types of personality. You will have more success working with who you are, instead of trying to change yourself. Understanding your own personal triggers will be more successful in the long term.”
To find out your diet type you can take a free online quiz at totalwellbeing diet.com. It takes about five minutes.
CSIRO experts say that many people are Thinkers – who tend to overeat when they are stressed. “Thinkers tend to focus on negatives – what they have not achieved, instead of what they have achieved,” explains Dr Brindal. “If you have this personality it can be helpful to remind yourself of the good things you have achieved to balance your perspective.”
Learning to tune into your appetite – instead of counting calories – also helps to make it easier to lose weight. “Understanding your diet personality is the first step. It helps you put into place strategies to help you achieve your health goals, such as menu plans, shopping lists, and tracking your exercise progress,” says Pennie McCoy.
Here’s how to identify your food personality, and what triggers you to overeat: