What kind of eater are you?

Our quiz can show you how to eat better

By Leigh Felesky

Updated November 2, 2012

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Whether you're in the zone, a devout carb-watcher or an enjoy-whatever-you-want gourmet, understanding not just what you eat but how you eat can make your relationship with food healthier. And when you're really happy with food, chances are you're confident and loving the body you're in. Take this quiz to find out what kind of eating personality you have, and get tips for coping with feelings that arise on your next date with food.

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Question of 5

It's 2:30 p.m. and you have the munchies. You:

	never eat in the afternoon; a coffee or hot drink will have to tide you over.
	sneak a handful of candy.
	take out the carrot sticks, or the crackers and low-fat cheese you brought with you from home.
	ask your co-workers if they have anything left over from lunch.
	consult your most recent diet handbook or if you're feeling weak, go for the potato chips!

While on a dinner date with someone you don't know very well, you:

	order something light; you don't want to overeat.
	eat light during dinner, then go home and graze.
	order what you think will be both delicious and healthy, then eat until you're satisfied.
	get something simple like fish and chips.
	stick to your diet by ordering a salad, dressing on the side.

How would you eat a piece of pizza that you picked up for lunch?

	I'd eat the cheese and toppings, then throw the rest away – I don't need the extra calories.
	I'd eat on-the-move – either in my car or walking to my next destination.
	I'd sit down at the pizza counter.
	I'd eat quickly – the faster I fill my stomach, the faster I can get on with my day.
	I'd be guilt-ridden – my diet would be thrown out the window, again.

You're inviting five friends over for dinner. You:

	cook an enormous amount of food but only eat a few morsels yourself.
	eat before your guests arrive and when they get there just snack on salad.
	make and indulge in the most delicious and nutritious meal you know how to prepare.
	order in – it's easy and everyone's satisfied.
	blow your most recent diet because it only allows 900 calories a day with no carbs – impossible!

If there was a little girl watching and learning from your eating habits, what do you think she would determine?

	Eat as little as possible – in general, people eat way too much.
	Don't overeat, especially in public.
	Eat only the best food and enjoy every bite.
	Eat whatever you want whenever you're hungry.
	Deny, deny, deny – dieting is the only way to stay slim and slim is important.

Mostly As

You're a bird You graze and peck but your stomach never really feels full. Not surprisingly, the more you restrict your eating, the more your stomach shrinks and the less hungry you will feel, says Orit Morse, a psychotherapist and clinic director of New Realities Eating Disorders Recovery Centre in Toronto. You need to make sure you're getting the right amount of nutrients and that you sport a healthy body weight.

Boost your appetite Morse suggests slowly reintroducing foods you love – potatoes one week, something else the next week – and adding a lot of positive self-talk. "Tell yourself it's ok to eat and enjoy your food," she says.

If you're losing weight dramatically, make an appointment with your doctor: you may need counselling.

Mostly Bs

You're a covert operator You regularly hide food and then munch on it secretly. You're not alone. Morse says there are many underlying reasons why people are secretive about food, including the fact that they may have been shamed. "Perhaps their dad told them they were a Hoover when they ate big portions at dinner," she explains.

Be non-secretive about your food After all, if you're worthy of eating those licorice allsorts in your desk drawer, why not be worthy of eating them when they're on the top of your desk? Make eating about eating, not about meeting or avoiding emotional issues. Morse adds that working with a counsellor can help reframe your eating perceptions.

Mostly Cs

You're a foodie Congrats! Whether it's chicken noodle soup or créme brulée, eating is a healthy pleasant part of your day. Your slow savouring style means you rarely eat too much or too little food.

Share your enthusiasm with others Why not spread the delight – since you embrace the beauty, aroma and nutritional value of just about every kind of food out there.

Mostly Ds

You're a survivor Not unlike the tribe members from the reality tv show, your goal is to get something in your stomach. As long as it's simple and edible, you're happy to put it away. You like quick meals best so you can get on with your day.

Don't forget to eat a balanced diet Filling up regularly throughout the day is fine; just include plenty of fruit and veggies. And remember, slow down. Take time to try to feel the food nourishing you, says Morse. And when you're done, you may even have time to enjoy a good conversation with your dinner mates.

Mostly Es

You're a diet queen You're constantly tackling the latest diet, and you end up experiencing lots of ups and downs that ultimately provide you with little opportunity to enjoy food.

Relearn how to enjoy food Yo-yo dieting and sustained long-term dieting can have negative effects on your health. Morse says she often sees people restrict their food one week and then end up bingeing the next. "If you deprive the body of anything, it's going to find a way to binge on that item later," she says. To develop a healthy eating pattern, you need to relearn how to enjoy food. If you're having trouble, see your doctor.

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