Individual differences in healthy and sustainable food choices

This chapter explores the impact of individual differences on healthy and sustainable food choices, focusing on personality traits and cognitive styles. We examine how traits from established models such as the Big Five, HEXACO, and the Dark Triad influence food choices. For example, conscientiousness and openness are highlighted as strong predictors of plant-based diets, while neuroticism may inhibit such choices. Additionally, sensation seeking, characterized by the pursuit of novel and intense experiences, can either promote or hinder sustainable food choices depending on how these experiences are perceived. Cognitive styles, such as the need for cognition and locus of control, also play critical roles in how individuals process information and make decisions about sustainable eating. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that understanding the impact of these individual differences enables the design of personalized approaches to foster healthier and more sustainable eating behaviors.