The power of food to determine our health and wellbeing may be well known.

But food expert and author Alice Zaslavsky says food choices can also be an accurate indication of personality traits.

“What we choose to eat, how we interact with food and even the person serving the food can provide great insight into that person’s character,” Zaslavsky says.

“If we’re at a business meeting with someone who’s treating the person serving their food with contempt, we may like to reconsider doing business with them. If someone has strong food preferences and are very vocal about their aversions, we may ask ourselves how else are they closing themselves off to the world? What are their blockages?”

While some food choices are because of allergies or being on the neurodivergent sphere, others are generational – older people may hate cabbage but it’s seeing a resurgence in contemporary cooking driven by younger consumers – and cultural, many Asian people have been raised on chilli so their preference for it is more biological than an Anglo who is seeking its powerful punch.

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“We all come to food with a lot of emotional baggage and that’s to be remembered,” she says.

“Food is often part of impressing someone and a lot of the time when people are just getting to know each other, they think they’re putting their best foot forward by choosing food they may not even like but it’s better to be authentic and true to yourself.

“And if you’re recommending restaurants to out of town visitors, don’t try to impress them by choosing the hottest new place. It’s better to recommend a place where they’ll enjoy the food.”

Deakin University Associate Professor of Sensory and Consumer Science in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Gre Liem refers to a study of children grouped into those who prefer sweet foods compared with those who prefer sour foods.

“Those who prefer sour foods tend to be more adventurous and thrill seeking,” Liem says.

“When looking at food choices, there are so many reasons why we make them. A lot of the time we don’t think about them and just eat what is available. Why are we happy to choose the same food every day for breakfast but rarely want the same food for dinner?”

Liem says research done on early flavour preferences shows the food children are exposed to in their first year of life have a positive impact on what they will choose later.
 

What the foods you like to eat say about you

Zaslavsky shares some of the insights we have to personality traits according to food choices:

Sparkling water or sparkling wine: Likely to be more fun and loves a party.

Chilli and hot spices: If they ask for extra chilli, they’re likely to be more adventurous and thrill-seeking.

Ordering the same meal or dining at the same restaurant: A creature of habit who doesn’t want to move beyond the comfort zone. This may also indicate a need for control, especially if the rest of their life is out of control.

Bread with a crunchy crust: Wanting to work for your food and willing to put in some effort. Similarly, if you’re willing to stand in a line for an hour for a particular food, you will have a food bucket list.

White bread: Nostalgic, seeking comfort.

Wine: If you’re a follower of rules, you’ll order the second cheapest bottle of wine on the menu. If you’re more adventurous and have more taste, you’ll ask the waiter for advice. Don’t be afraid to call in the experts and live a little.

Espresso at the end of dinner: This is a worry because if you can have an espresso late at night and still sleep, you’re probably immune to stimulants.

Selecting a mixture of entrees, sides and a dessert: Shows creativity and curiosity.

Seeking out new restaurants: Is it because they like to be first, they like to be seen or like to say they’ve been there? There’s something to be said for being in the know and it’s great to have one friend who does that work for you but, from my experience, the restaurant doesn’t become good for three months anyway.

Ordering the most expensive meal on the menu: A show off.

The Joy of Better Cooking by Alice Zaslavsky is available from all good book stores for $49.99.

This article originally appeared on dailytelegraph.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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