Psychological Types Of Eaters

Author: Leticia Celentano Time for reading: ~3 minutes Last Updated: October 24, 2022

Treating yourself to something delicious is one of the first thoughts that comes to mind in the list of pleasures that can cheer up or comfort. Why so? Because it is human nature to associate food with emotions, says Leslie Fraser, professor of psychology at Florida International University. According to the expert, from a psychological point of view, people can be divided into 4 types based on food consumption.

The feeling of hunger is equally controlled by both the gut and the brain. The so-called hunger hormone ghrelin is released when the stomach is empty and the corresponding signal is sent to the brain. As food is consumed , other hormones are released, and then the brain receives a message that hunger is satisfied - about 20 minutes after the start of the meal. If a person eats too quickly or on autopilot, without taking his eyes off his favorite series, then this signal comes late. Without paying enough attention to food , people risk frequent and unnecessary overeating, which threatens not only excess weight, but also general overload of the digestive system.

Genetics affect the speed and quality of metabolism, food preferences, the amount of food consumed and fat deposits. However, in general, the attitude to food is formed depending on upbringing, habits and social environment. Under the influence of lifestyle and social attitudes, the natural cycles of food consumption give way to psychological principles that form an emotional connection with food .

According to the expert, from a psychological point of view, people can be divided into 4 types based on food consumption .

Internal eater

Representatives of this type eat according to their emotions: when they are happy, want to celebrate something, feel stressed or sad. At the same time, internal eaters do not care whether the body is actually hungry or full - being guided by feelings, they neglect natural nutritional needs.

External eater

For such people, food is a form of addiction. Such eaters react strongly to external signals: after seeing a poster advertising a hamburger, they will probably visit the nearest McDonald's, and if a colleague returns to the office with ice cream after lunch, they will go to the same coffee shop to buy themselves a portion of dessert.

Discreet eater

This type of people is very concerned about what to eat and in what quantities. Limiting themselves in food , they carefully control the diet, adding to it only those products allowed by the diet, and also count calories to keep weight under control. The main criteria for choosing food for such eaters are not the needs of the body or a varied balanced menu, but specific goals and achievements.

Psychological Types Of Eaters

Internal eater

External eater

Discreet eater

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