Researchers wanted to understand if personality traits affect the foods people choose to eat. They surveyed 480 healthy adults under 45 years old about their eating habits and personality types. The study found interesting connections: people who tend to worry more (high neuroticism) were more likely to drink alcohol and coffee, while people who are open to new experiences ate healthier foods. Men were more likely to eat Western-style foods like processed meats and fast food, while women who worried more avoided these foods. The findings suggest that understanding your personality might help explain your food choices, though more research is needed to confirm these patterns.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether five basic personality types (how outgoing you are, how nice you are, how organized you are, how much you worry, and how open-minded you are) connect to the types of foods people eat
  • Who participated: 480 healthy adults between 18 and 45 years old from Greece who filled out questionnaires about their food choices and personality traits
  • Key finding: Personality traits showed meaningful connections to eating patterns. For example, people who tend to worry more were more likely to consume alcohol and coffee, while people who are open to new experiences ate healthier diets. Men were more likely to eat Western-style processed foods, while women who worried more tended to avoid these foods.
  • What it means for you: Your personality might influence your food choices more than you realize. If you understand your personality type, you might be able to make better food choices that match your goals. However, this is just one study, so personality is only one of many factors that influence what we eat.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. All 480 participants completed two questionnaires: one about their eating habits (asking what foods they eat and how often) and one about their personality traits (asking about their behaviors, feelings, and preferences). The researchers then used a statistical method called principal component analysis to identify five main eating patterns from the food data, such as a “healthy pattern” (lots of fruits and vegetables) and a “Western pattern” (lots of processed and fast foods). They then looked for connections between these eating patterns and the five personality traits.

This approach is useful because it looks at real eating patterns that people actually follow, rather than just single foods. By studying personality and diet together, researchers can better understand why people make different food choices. This information could help create more personalized nutrition advice based on personality type.

The study used validated questionnaires, meaning these tools have been tested and proven to accurately measure what they’re supposed to measure. The sample size of 480 people is reasonably large for this type of study. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it only shows connections between personality and diet at one moment in time—it cannot prove that personality causes certain eating habits. All participants were from Greece and under 45 years old, so results may not apply to older people or different populations. The study relied on people’s memories of what they ate, which can be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

The study found five distinct eating patterns among participants. The “alcohol-coffee pattern” showed that younger adults (ages 18-24) who scored higher on worry and anxiety (neuroticism) were more likely to follow this pattern. The “healthy eating pattern” (lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains) was more common in people who were open to new experiences and in people of normal weight. Interestingly, older participants were more likely to follow the healthy pattern. The “plant-based pattern” (vegetables, legumes, and whole grains) was more common in women and in people who were open to new experiences. The “Western pattern” (processed meats, fast foods, and refined grains) was more common in men but less common in women who worried more. Finally, the “processed foods pattern” was less common in older adults and in people who were organized and responsible (conscientiousness).

The research revealed that gender played an important role in food choices, with men and women showing different preferences. Age also mattered—older participants made healthier food choices overall. Body weight (BMI) was connected to healthy eating patterns, with people of normal weight more likely to eat healthy foods. The personality trait of openness to new experiences consistently predicted healthier eating patterns across multiple diet types.

Previous research has suggested that personality traits influence health behaviors, but few studies have specifically looked at personality and eating patterns together. This study adds to that knowledge by showing specific connections between personality types and the actual food patterns people follow. The finding that conscientiousness (being organized and responsible) predicts avoiding processed foods aligns with earlier research showing that organized people tend to make healthier choices overall.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only included healthy adults under 45 years old from Greece, so the findings may not apply to older people, people with health conditions, or people from other countries with different food cultures. Second, participants reported their own food intake from memory, which can be inaccurate—people often forget what they ate or underestimate portions. Third, the study only looked at associations (connections) between personality and diet, not whether personality actually causes people to eat certain foods. Fourth, the study was conducted at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over time. Finally, the researchers acknowledge that more research is needed to confirm these findings.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, people interested in improving their diet might consider their personality traits when setting food goals. If you’re open to new experiences, you may find it easier to try new healthy foods. If you’re organized and conscientious, you might use that trait to plan and prepare healthy meals. If you tend to worry or feel anxious, being aware that you might reach for alcohol or coffee could help you find healthier coping strategies. However, remember that personality is just one factor affecting food choices—stress, budget, time, and food availability also matter greatly. These findings suggest possibilities rather than definite rules.

Anyone interested in understanding their eating habits and making healthier food choices could benefit from thinking about how their personality influences their diet. This is especially relevant for people working with nutritionists or health coaches who want to personalize advice. However, these findings should not be used to stereotype people or suggest that certain personality types must eat certain ways. People of all personality types can eat healthy or unhealthy diets.

If you decide to make changes based on your personality type, expect gradual improvements over weeks to months. Building new eating habits typically takes 4-12 weeks to feel more automatic. Changes in how you feel and your health markers (like energy levels or weight) may take several weeks to become noticeable.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily food choices alongside your mood and stress levels for 2-4 weeks. Note whether you tend to eat more processed foods or healthier options when you’re stressed, anxious, or in different moods. This personal data can reveal your own patterns and help you identify triggers.
  • Use the app to set personality-aligned food goals. For example: if you’re high in openness, challenge yourself to try one new healthy food per week. If you’re high in conscientiousness, use the app’s meal planning feature to organize healthy meals in advance. If you notice anxiety triggers unhealthy eating, set reminders to try a healthier alternative like herbal tea or a walk.
  • Create a monthly review where you look at your eating patterns and mood data together. Track whether certain personality-driven eating patterns are improving or worsening. Use this information to adjust your strategies—if planning works well for you, do more of it; if trying new foods excites you, keep exploring new healthy options.

This research shows associations between personality traits and eating patterns but does not prove that personality causes specific eating behaviors. Individual food choices are influenced by many factors including genetics, culture, economics, health conditions, and personal preferences. This study was conducted in Greece with adults under 45 and may not apply to all populations. If you have specific health concerns or dietary needs, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice.