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Study: This Daily Habit May Boost Healthy Eating
EatingWell • • health
Key Points:
- A study published in Social Science & Medicine found a significant association between spending time in nature and improved diet quality and sustainability, with activities like gardening, walking in parks, and keeping houseplants linked to healthier eating habits.
- Researchers from Drexel University and Wake Forest University combined surveys and interviews with 300 U.S. adults to assess nature interactions and dietary patterns, using tools like the Healthy Eating Index-2020 and the EAT-Lancet Index.
- Key reasons for the nature-diet link include nature’s stress-reducing effects, a health-oriented mindset, a stronger connection to whole foods, and increased environmental awareness influencing food choices.
- Mental well-being influenced the strength of this relationship, with individuals experiencing lower depression, anxiety, and stress showing a stronger connection between nature exposure and healthier eating.
- Although the study is observational and limited by self-reported data and sample size, practical recommendations include incorporating more green space walks, indoor plants, gardening, and farmers market visits to potentially support healthier, more sustainable diets.
