Fruits or veggies: What’s your pick?

Apples or carrots? Oranges or celery? What you select may say a lot about not just your food choices, but also your personality.

A study published this month in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assn. found that people who prefer fruits often like different foods across the board and may also have different social habits than those who prefer vegetables. The conclusions could help nutrition experts and dietitians better tailor nutrition plans for each type. In the study of 770 people, researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Chicago found that adults who prefer vegetables tend to enjoy a wider variety of tastes, spicier foods and more tannic red wines. They may also be more adventuresome about trying new recipes, eat fewer desserts and entertain more guests.

“The more we know about why people make different food choices, the easier it is for us to guide them toward healthier foods and hopefully help them limit their calories,” says Gail Frank, a professor of nutrition at Cal State Long Beach.

Researchers found participants randomly through census data and mailed them surveys. Overall, they found vegetable lovers try new recipes more often (6.9 versus 4.4 times a month), eat nutritious meals more often (5.4 versus 4.4 times a week) and entertain more regularly (4.1 versus 2.6 times a month).