Bhavya Jain
Have you ever judged a person, even in a small way, for how they eat? You may have a friend who devours their meals like a race, or an acquaintance who opts for the green sushi roll with the green stuff that is inherently questionable. There is actually psychology behind behaviours regarding food consumption, and it appears to link our eating habits back to our personality!
What if your comfort food cravings or midnight snacking habits were actually mirrors of your inner world? Let’s take Simran, for example. She’s the life of every college event. Outgoing, adventurous and spontaneous. Her plate is always full of vibrant, spicy, bold food, something new every week. Then there’s Aarav. Quiet, methodical, introverted. He dislikes surprises on his plate and eats the same meal virtually every day. For years, psychologists have examined these trends.
Extroverts are more prone to seek out diverse and powerful flavours since their brain requires stimulation. Introverts may favour regularity and quiet, which extends to their eating habits. The tendency of a person to be regular or how comfortable one is with change might relate to how willing one is to try new foods or keep to tried-and-true favourites. Eating patterns and food likes eventually are small windows to the inner self, representing individual personalities and emotional landscapes, typical only to them.
But this isn’t strictly contemporary science speaking. Even our forefathers understood this dance between food and brain. Indian philosophy provides the vantage of saatvik (pure), rajasik (active), and tamasik (dull) foods. Each purported to feed not only the body but the temperament of the soul. With these age-old spectacles, our dietary choices are more than taste. They are a reflection of our inner world.
Interestingly, these insights also align with more popular and accessible media. A 2024 feature from the New York Post summarised findings, which reported that individuals with a ‘sweet tooth’ are often empathetic and kind. The article emphasised a cross-cultural pattern: sweetness and warmth go hand in hand, whether it’s in a smile or a slice of cake. This brings a fun, relatable angle that who would’ve thought your snack cupboard could double as a personality quiz?
From psychology labs to traditional Indian kitchens, the relation between food and personality reveals a fascinating mix of biology, emotion, and culture. Whether it’s your favourite snack or your deep-rooted food belief, what you eat might tell the world more about you than you think. So, the next time you’re reaching for that spicy samosa or a soft and sweet gulab jamun, you might consider pausing and asking if you are eating with your mouth, or with your mind.
Bhavya Jain is an I/O Psychologist and Integrative Psychotherapist committed to promoting positive mental health and breaking the stigma around therapy. She spearheaded a year-long pro bono initiative offering free mental health services, partnering with schools and non-profits to make support accessible to underserved communities. Through her work, Bhavya continues to advocate for inclusive, unconventional approaches to mental well-being.