Future-Focused, Positive People Make Healthier Food Choices

Future-Focused, Positive People Make Healthier Food Choices AOC Health

When the authors compared the food choices made by future-focused positive emotions (hopefulness, anticipated pride) to future focused negative emotions (fear, anticipated shame), it was the combination of positivity and future focus thinking that enhanced self-control.

In fact, the opposite effect might occur: that the fear of shaming can’t be separated from feelings of low self-worth, at least for some people. Without a positive self image, one tends not to be optimistic about the future, except in a fantasy, ‘winning the lottery’ sort of way. As a result, one makes bad food choices because living in the past — not the future — is the deeply-seeded mindset.

Imagining Food Pleasures Decreases Actual Consumption