What Your Favorite Foods Say About You, From Food Expert Alice Zaslavsky

According to food expert and author Alice Zaslavsky, food is more than fuel to keep us alive. In fact, it says a lot about us, providing major insight into a person’s character. From how we interact with food to the person serving it, what we eat can tell someone a lot about our personality.

For instance, if you’re in a meeting with someone who is being disrespectful toward their food server, it may make you reconsider if you want to do business with them. If someone is very vocal regarding foods that they won’t eat and picky preferences, it can lead you to wonder if they’ve closed themselves off to the world in other ways.

Some food choices are made due to allergies or being neurodivergent, while others may be generational. For instance, many seniors dislike cabbage due to how it was prepared in the past, but today, it’s experiencing a resurgence in modern restaurants from younger consumers. Culture is another major reason for food preferences. Culturally, many people from Asia are used to eating chili. You could almost say it’s biologically ingrained. An Anglo, on the other hand, who’s seeking a spicy flavor punch, might find it exotic and have a lower spice tolerance.

Zaslavsky wants us to know that food comes with much emotional baggage, and that’s an important thing to remember. When you’re trying to impress someone that you’re just getting to know, food often plays a roll in that. People often worry that they’re not putting out the best image of themselves by choosing food that they don’t enjoy, but it’s better to remain genuine and true to yourself. When recommending a restaurant to someone visiting out of town, instead of trying to impress them with the trendiest new restaurant, suggest somewhere they’ll actually enjoy the meal.

Deakin University Associate Professor of Sensory and Consumer Science in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Gre Liem shares a theory based on a study that compares children who prefer sweet foods to kids who prefer sour foods. According to the study, the children who preferred sour foods were more adventurous and thrill-seeking than their sweet food-loving counterparts.

Liem wants us to remember that when we’re examining food choices, there are a variety of reasons why we make these decisions. Instead of thinking about the choices we have, we often just consume what’s available at hand. It’s a confusing matter when you consider that people are usually find with eating the same breakfast every morning but will get sick of the same food for dinner in a matter of days.

Based on research done on early flavor preferences, Liem says that the food kids are exposed to in the first year will have a positive impact on the years to come.

What the food you eat says about you

Take a look at these insights from Zaslavsky on food choices and what they say about personality traits.

• Hot spices/chili: If someone asks for more chili, they’re more likely to have an adventurous personality and seek thrills, just like the sour candy lovers from the study with children.

• Eating at the same restaurant/ordering the same meal: There’s comfort in familiarity, and these people are creatures of habit who don’t like going out of their comfort zone. It may also indicate a desire for control, especially if other things in their life can’t be controlled.

• Crunchy crust bread: If you prefer a sourdough baguette to a soft slice of sandwich bread, it means that you want to work for your food and are willing to put in a bit of effort.
• White Bread: That being said, there’s nothing wrong with a classic slice of white bread! It often means that the eater is nostalgic and seeking comfort.
• Wine: Rule followers will commonly order the second cheapest bottle of wine. Wine connoisseurs or adventurous folks will be more likely to ask the waiter. Sometimes, asking an expert can make a big difference, showing that you’re willing to live a little.

• Espresso after dinner: If you’re opting for an espresso after your meal rather than a decaf coffee and can still fall asleep, it might mean that you’re immune to stimulants.
• Ordering the most expensive thing on the menu: This usually indicates a show-off.
• Looking for new restaurants: It might be because they like to try new things, be the first to try them, or say they’ve been there.

• Choosing a mix of entrees/sides/desserts: This person is filled with curiosity and creativity and isn’t afraid to mix things up.