Which of these 7 Types of Eaters are you?

Did you know there are 7 common types of eaters? Naturally some of the dietary habits that dictate a “type” overlap a bit, but many of us have a predominate type. Do you know which of these 7 types of eaters you are?

Knowing your propensities will help you to make plans and/or set appropriate boundaries that keep you healthy and safe. It will also provide information into deeper emotional work to help you make peace and develop a healthier relationship with food.

1. The Chaotic Eater

If you are this type of eater, you have no routine and you frequently skip meals. You are overscheduled and tend to eat on the run. You have no memory of how much or what you have just eaten. You eat what is available and never plan ahead.

2. Unconscious Eater

You are similar to a chaotic eater. You usually eat while doing other things such as working, reading, talking, watching TV or driving. You also eat whatever is available and rarely can identify if you are hungry or full.

3. Emotional Eater

You use food to cope with or avoid feelings. Food is numbing for you and you feel powerless around food. You do know you eat too much but often you will not realize it until after eating.

4. Waste Not Eater

You hate to see food go to waste and you are always on the lookout for a “deal”. You overeat most often when food is available in abundance, such as at all-you-can-eat buffets or restaurants specializing in huge or “Texas Sized” portions. You get a bargain, but in the long run, the biggest cost will be on your health.

5. Refuse Nothing Eater

You cannot refuse food for fear you will offend or disappoint someone or to avoid a discussion. As a result, you give other people power over what and how much food you eat rather than listening to your own hunger and fullness levels.

6. Restrictive Eater

You are always on a diet and you create new “good and bad” or “allowed and not allowed” food lists just as often. You are vigilant about reading labels, weighing and measuring food which usually leads to vacillating between not eating enough or eating on a binge. You get very little pleasure out of eating, you are fearful of eating with others, you don’t trust food prepared by others, and you are constantly concerned with what and when you will eat next.

7. Intuitive Eater

You are conscious of your body’s hunger signals. You eat until you are satisfied and you have no fear of overeating. You trust yourself around food and you do not feel guilty about eating food you enjoy. You are conscious and mindful of your food choices, which are mostly in favor of your health.