A study by the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet team has revealed that our personality plays a big part in our diet type and the overall success of achieving our health goals.

You know it’s coming. Diet season. The magazines at the supermarkets will be covered in before and afters, and tips on how to lose 10kg in 3 hours (clearly an exaggeration, but you know the empty promises they sell!). While I’m not a fan of the whole body shaming, fat-phobic season, I am a fan of eating well and being healthy.

And now I’m learning we have diet personalities, and I don’t know what to think.

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet team released a study this morning that reveals that we all have diet personalities, and to be honest, I’m curious. I’m the kind of person that gets all excited, and then a social event happens (remember those?) and a pizza ends up on the table, and it’s all over for me. I love a good time, and I also love carbs. Is there a diet personality known as The Indulger?

There is no Indulger (damn, she sounded like fun!) but there are six other diet types that the CSIRO have defined.

Dr Emily Brindal, Research Scientist and lead author of the study, encouraged Australians to embrace the strengths and weaknesses associated with their Diet Type. “We are seeing people cope differently with COVID-19 stresses and uncertainty, which has included disruptions to health, fitness, and social routines. We hope to help people achieve greater success on their journey to rediscover their health by playing to their individual strengths while also helping them to gain better control over their weaknesses,” Dr Brindal said.

THE SIX DIET TYPES, WHICH ARE YOU?

The Thinker: goal-oriented, motivated and analytical, however sensitive to negative feedback that can lead to stress or anxiety which could ultimately derail their diet.

The Battler: likely to experience regular food temptation as well as being prone to stress and worry. ‘Battlers’ require some unique strategies to help them break the cycle and achieve long-term success in their diet journey. Nine in 10 Battlers are female.

The Craver: likely to experience strong food cravings that may lead to overeating in ‘tricky’ food-related settings. Cravers had the highest Body Mass Index of all types.

The Pleaser: likeable and friendly but can also be sensitive to social comparisons which can make them feel like they are not doing well. They are likely to have many people to call upon to support them along the way.

The Foodie: passionate about all things food including the experience of preparing and eating good quality meals. Foodies love variety and have the best diet quality of all Types. Men often identify as Foodies.

The Socialiser: a people-person who needs flexibility to make sure strict food restrictions don’t stifle social occasions or ‘kill the mood’ of an event.

Does knowing your diet type actually work? Retail assistant, Kayleen Nuus from South Australia, said understanding her Diet Type played a critical role in her 37 kg weight loss.

“As a Craver I would consume food without a second thought – if it looked or smelled delicious, I had to have it, no matter how unhealthy it was,” Ms Nuus said.

“Now I make decisions based on an understanding of how my mind works in certain situations. If I’m craving a particular food, I look for a healthier option. For example, rather than a take-away hamburger, I’ll make it at home, so I know exactly what’s going in it. I also generally track my food to understand my portions and satisfy my hunger, without the sacrifice.”

With one look at the list of diet types, I was sure that I would be The Craver, after taking the quick test, I have learned that I’m The Thinker. The one that gets derailed by stress easily. They’ve actually nailed it. During home schooling I find myself reaching for delicious soft white bread and all the good things when things get hard. I mean, year 7 algebra will make anyone a little frazzled, wouldn’t it?

While I’m not sure how I feel about diet personalities, I’m definitely a fan of learning about ourselves to help us achieve our goals. I do know that I’m the kind of person who really just wants to have her cake and eat it too.

You can take the free CSIRO Diet Type test here, and discover more about your health and wellbeing style.

What do you think your diet personality is? Do you think this could actually work?