Holidays are a time when many of us tend to overindulge in food and drink, and many people to gain weight. Once gained, the weight is difficult to lose and much of the holiday weight gain is likely to stay with us.
Overindulgence can happen for some people around relaxed, positive family gatherings, especially if COVID has limited travel and family occasions in recent years. For others, holiday gatherings can bring conflict and emotional challenges, which can lead to having more to eat and drink. For some people, it will be a sad and lonely time, without family or loved ones, and the food may feel comforting.
Holiday gatherings are typically social, featuring delicious food, energy dense and plentiful. It can be difficult to resist the temptations offered. However, some people abuse it, but others don’t. Why?
Research tells us how different “food personalities” influence our tendency to overdo it at the festive buffet.
eating personalities
The various combinations of our food behaviors (our habitual ways of behaving and thinking about food) interact with each other as “food personalities”.
Technically, eating personalities (or eat phenotypes) refer to habitual patterns of eating behaviors and thoughts that are the result of interactions between our genetic make-up, individual characteristics and the environment.
Food personalities affect how we eat (like how fast), what we eat (healthy or unhealthy foods), how much we eat in different situations, and most importantly, why we overeat. Food personalities are apparent even in infants and continue to evolve and change throughout our lives. They also inform how we select weight loss strategies.
Our food personalities could include:
-
how we respond to prompts to overeat, such as the presence of tempting foods or drinks at a buffet lunch, and whether we sometimes lose control
-
how desirable, appealing, or rewarding we find different foods or beverages. It might be a shiny chocolate cake for one person, but crispy roast potatoes for another.
-
if we notice and respond to internal signals of wholeness
-
our tendency to serve large portions and eat until the plate is clean
-
whether we are able to wait until we are hungry again to start eating, rather than being guided by the clock or a tempting snack
-
our ability to stick to longer-term goals in the presence of tempting foods or drinks
-
how fast we eat and whether we tend to maintain that pace or slow down during the meal
-
that we are “emotional eaters” who eat when we feel down or to celebrate success.
5 ideas for eating according to your personality
To research published this year, based on a randomized clinical trial of 217 adults, indicates that knowing your food personality can help identify strategies for managing food intake and weight. A recent second study of 165 people support these conclusions.
Coping strategies for your particular eating personality traits could help you manage or avoid overeating.
Recognize Challenges
It is a common experience to have tried, and sometimes failed, to temper dietary intakes during holiday periods and festivals.
Food is a central part of holiday celebrations – it provides a social and cultural connection and is a source of pleasure. However, if avoiding overindulgence is a priority for your health and well-being, it’s worth exploring your food personality. It’s a pathway to a better understanding of overeating, and eventually strategies for moderating what and how much you eat, during the holiday season and beyond.
