Candy or apple? How self-control resources and motives impact dietary healthiness in women

People can choose between a virtually endless array of food items rising the question, which factors determine healthy or unhealthy food choice. The present study examines the impact of two contrasting motives for food choice (affect regulation and body weight control) and self-regulatory competences on healthy eating within a sample of women (N = 761). The data show that a relative lack of self-regulatory resources combined with a high tendency to regulate negative affect through comfort eating was associated with an unfavorable dietary pattern. Accordingly, a healthy dietary pattern requires not only self-regulatory capacities but also a facilitating motive structure.

► Predictors of healthy and unhealthy food choice were examined in 761 women
► General capacity for self-regulation showed the strongest relation with healthy diet
► Affect regulation and weight control motive were independently associated with diet
► Having low control resources and high affect regulation led to unhealthy diet
► Favorable diet requires self-regulatory capacityand a facilitating motive structure