Take This Free Quiz to Understand Your Food Triggers
So you can get slim - without having to count calories. Researchers at CSIRO launched the Diet Types study to understand the lifestyle and personality triggers that make us overeat
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:
You are goal-oriented, motivated and analytical, but those admirable strengths can also be your greatest weaknesses. You tend to overthink and have a perfectionist streak. This means you tend to dwell on your mistakes and you are sensitive to negative feedback.
Stress of anxiety can derail your healthy eating efforts because you are more likely to give into food cravings when you are under pressure.
Your Goal:
Do not be so hard on yourself! You strive to achieve, so use that strength by tracking your food or trying healthy new meals - this will keep you motivated far more than focusing on what the scales say. Surround yourself with people who remind you how awesome you are to help you see your positive progress and achievements. Rewards motivate you, so schedule in regular self-care treats such as massages and facials are a wonderful way to keep your stress levels in check - and they help you celebrate how well you are sticking to your healthy habits.
You battle with temptation. You are prone to stress and worry and you tend to use food treats to soothe your nerves. But we live in a world with lots of food temptations all around us - so you constantly feel a failure when you indulge in a creamy curry or a sweet bubble tea. You feel you have no control over your cravings or the stress in your life - and this can lead you to think even more negatively about yourself.
Your Goal:
Distraction is a good strategy for you - when you are faced with a food trigger, go for a walk or do something that keeps your mind occupied. If you cannot get away, take a deep breath and analyse the situation so you can identify what is triggering your food cravings, rather than letting them have control over you. Do not aim for perfection - follow the 80/20 rule whre you eat healthily 80 % of the time and leave rom for the occasional treat.
Strong food cravings are a part of your life. The mere sight, smell or thought of tempting food is all it takes to get you reaching for snacks. And this can make you overeat. Buffets are your enemy because you find it hard to stop when all the options are so tasty. Your intentions are good, but you can be too strict with yourself sometimes - when you indulge, do not try to starve yourself the next day. Just eat normal, well-rounded meals.
Your Goal:
Avoid buffets and anywhere that offers upsizing, refills or add-ons like free dessert. Your triggers are visual, so keep tempting snacks out of the house, avoid shopping when you are hungry, or scrolling through foodie posts on social media. Eating mindfully can also help - so slow down when you eat and chew each mouthful. This will help you get the most enjoyment out of the food you eat.
You are likeable and friendly and you try to please everyone all the time. This can be exhausting! You worry about what people think and this makes you compare yourself to others. It also makes you sensitive to comparisons, which can make you feel less confident. You are more likely to stay motivated if you notice your successes beyond the scales - such as improved sleep, energy and mood.
Your Goal:
Choose your cheerleaders wisely, because encouragement and support from your network will help you stay motivated to eat well. Be kinder to yourself and put your own needs first sometimes, so you are better able to deal with stress. Prioritise sleep, drinking enough water, and staying connected to friends and family will help you stay positive.
A passion for food is central to your life and you get lost in menus and recipe books. Your strongest memories of your childhood involve food, and you often plan your holidays around restaurants or food destinations. Your friends say your social media account is full of great photos of food, and your friends often call you when they want a recommendation for a great new restaurant or a hawker stall to try. You love visiting farmers markets and food fairs, especially if there are chances to try new and interesting foods.
Your Goal:
Your best chance of weight loss success is to get creative in the kitchen. Eating healthily is not a problem for you, but you need plenty of variation so your diet does not feel boring. It will also help you to reduce your portion sizes, and order healthy options when you eat out.
You are outgoing and you love spending time with other people. Food and fun are linked for you and going to lunch or brunch all the time with your friends can make it hard for you to avoid overeating. Hanging out with friends brings joy but it is also your weak point, because you are likely to surrender healthy eating in favour of feeling connected - for example, if everyone is having dessert you will tool, even if you already feel full.
Your Goal:
You love social engagements and you want to stay connected to your friends. When you are out together, focus on ordering healthy meals. If your healthy meal plan allows for one or two small indulgences every day you might like to “bank” these for a more extravagant weekly social occasion instead.
Text: Bauer Syndication/The Australian Women’s Weekly