Rigid eaters (REs) prefer familiarity, consistency, and predictability in their diet. Their meals are repetitive and ritualistic, centered around staples that provide comfort through their reliability. In this way, they’re similar to Emotional Eaters.

Rigid Eaters (REs) | Preferences

REs often stick to a limited range of flavors and specific textures. They are creatures of habit and love to stick to their go-to ingredients, meals, brands, and restaurants. Loyalists to a fault, a RE knows what they like and are unapologetic about it. Often, REs discover their favorite foods early on in life and stick to them. They can prioritize meals passed down through their family and/or heritage, and even go as far as to have favorite dishes and cooking utensils.

While some stick to mild flavors, being a rigid eater does not indicate a preference for one type of food over another. Reliability and eating things they’re used to are key, and they will differ based on their experiences with food.

Food Waste Challenges

For a Rigid Eater, efforts to expand their palate, such as incorporating vegetables or alternative proteins, often result in untouched portions and a difficult choice between nutritional goals and food waste. However, given the nature of many Rigid Eaters, trying new foods is not usually a priority unless recommended by a doctor or dietician. For this reason, they tend to waste the least of all types.

Rigid Eaters (REs) | Making Change

The eating habits of REs reflect their preference for stability, structure, and consistency, making dietary changes difficult. Thankfully, this also makes your diet (and waste) predictable. As diets are so planned out, REs can easily evaluate how to use them better and minimize waste. Continue to maintain small and responsible portions when trying something new.