Spending time with a specific group of friends may have you acting differently than you do in everyday life. Similarly, the more time you spend dating the same person, the more you two may begin to act like each other. But does the same go for your eating habits? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the ways your relationships—romantic and otherwise—affect your eating habits. You’d be surprised how much you adapt different mealtime habits and preferences without even knowing it.
Eating with friends looks different than eating alone.
You probably wouldn’t dream of eating ice cream straight from the container in the company of others, but this might be a habit you enjoy when no one else is around. There may also be more subtle changes to your eating patterns when you are with a friend. One study conducted at the University of Minnesota indicated that friends can have a powerful influence over each other when it comes to eating choices. If you are with friends who refrain from overindulging, you are more likely to think twice before you reach for an extra serving of food or a sweet treat. This effect can continue when you are alone immediately after eating with friends, so sharing more dinners together could be good for your health if you’re friends practice healthy dining habits.
Couples may begin to form the same flavor preferences.
Though the reasons why are not entirely clear, studies have indicated that couples who are together for longer periods of time will tend to have the same taste and scent preferences. It is likely that this connection has developed from the social construct of eating, which carries much more significance than the simple nutritional value of food.
It can be easier to stay healthy when you do so as a couple. For tips on developing the right eating habits together, check out more of the MeMD blog. When you need medical care in a hurry, connect with one of our medical providers for a private online consultation.
