7 surprising secrets of healthy eaters
Emulate the healthiest eaters by building these into your life.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
While our eating habits are influenced by biology and genetics, they're also shaped by factors largely within our control, including our relationships with friends and family, our finances, and even our sense of purpose in life.
Read on to learn about seven social- and purpose-driven factors that are related to establishing—and sticking to—a healthy diet. Hint: They have nothing to do with what—or how much—you eat!
Written byKristen Sturt.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: Delerue Matos + 2
- Delerue Matos, A., Barbosa, F., Cunha, C. et al. Social isolation, physical inactivity and inadequate diet among European middle-aged and older adults. BMC Public Health 21, 924 (2021).
- Hämmig O. Health risks associated with social isolation in general and in young, middle and old age [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2019 Aug 29;14(8):e0222124]. PLoS One. 2019;14(7):e0219663. Published 2019 Jul 18.
- Conklin AI, Forouhi NG, Surtees P, Khaw KT, Wareham NJ, Monsivais P. Social relationships and healthful dietary behaviour: evidence from over-50s in the EPIC cohort, UK. Soc Sci Med. 2014;100(100):167-175.
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