The yoga of sustainable diets: Exploring consumers mind and spirit

Abstract

Unsustainable food choice and dietary behaviors put pressure on ecosystems and supply chain structures worldwide. Knowledge on the intrinsic values driving food consumption behavior are, therefore, essential in order to foster sustainability on a global, national and community based level. This study aims at exploring the relationship between different food consumption related behaviors and the intrinsic value shaping constructs of spirituality and mindfulness. Online questionnaire data on self-reported dietary behavior, self-reported food choice behavior, spirituality, and mindfulness were drawn from a population subsample in India and the United States of America. Factorial relationships between spirituality and mindfulness traits were explored using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of the derived factor structures on different food choice and dietary behavior variables. The EFA resulted in 4 factors, of which two each frame spirituality and mindfulness. These factors are: (1) supernatural spirituality, (2) natural spirituality, (3) supportive mindset, and (4) scattered mindset. In both country data sets, factors 2 and 3 had significant adverse effects on the consumption of convenience foods and a positive effect on the consumers' dietary awareness. Even though ambiguities exist concerning important dietary sustainability measures, e.g. the consumption of animal-protein based foods, this research reinforces the value of spirituality and spiritual practice measures for sustainability research, especially for consumer sciences. Further elaboration and application of these concepts may proof valuable for various stakeholders involved as they point to a more integral aspect of human psychology and behavior.

The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda

“…They established that spirituality and mindfulness are indeed independent constructs, but that some spirituality traits might overlap with aspects from mindfulness, such as the awareness of the external environment and nature. Werner et al (2020) also identify that natural spirituality, as lived in daily activities and the contact with nature, is associated with more sustainable dietary behaviours.…”

“…Another aspect often mentioned as pivotal for personal well-being is a high level of self-compassion, which has seen increases after mindfulness training (Neff et al 2007). Werner et al (2020) found that a supportive mindset, marked by the ability to decentre from thoughts and cultivate self-compassion, is positively associated with improved PEB, dietary awareness and informed food choice.…”

“…For example, a study with almost 1000 US-American students revealed that the positive association between dispositional mindfulness and psychological wellbeing was partly mediated by selflessness as an expression of the respondents' sense of interconnectedness with the social and natural world, and the universe (Hanley et al 2017). This sense of greater interconnectedness sometimes is interpreted as an aspect of personal spirituality and might tend to be overlooked in studies about mindfulness and sustainability (Werner et al 2020). In a study with more than 1200 adults in the USA and India, Werner et al (2020) explored both mindfulness and spirituality as constructs involved in PEB and sustainable food decisions.…”

Practice Matters: Pro-environmental Motivations and Diet-Related Impact Vary With Meditation Experience

“…These savings in GHG emissions amount to approximately one third of the world's emissions in 2011 (Department of Energy and Cimate Change, 2015). This is reflected by a growing number of publications studying the relation between mindfulness and sustainable eating (Jacob et al, 2009;Fung et al, 2016;Böhme et al, 2018;Geiger et al, 2019a;Hunecke and Richter, 2019;Stanszus et al, 2019;Werner et al, 2020). Fung et al (2016) proposed a theoretical model where mindful eating is expected to improve the "awareness of the relationships between food and body, feelings, mind and interconnectedness between humans and the environment" (Fung et al, 2016(Fung et al, , p. 1084, postulating that mindfulness should help maintaining both personal and planetary health.…”

“…These savings in GHG emissions amount to approximately one third of the world’s emissions in 2011 ( Department of Energy and Cimate Change, 2015 ). This is reflected by a growing number of publications studying the relation between mindfulness and sustainable eating ( Jacob et al, 2009 ; Fung et al, 2016 ; Böhme et al, 2018 ; Geiger et al, 2019a ; Hunecke and Richter, 2019 ; Stanszus et al, 2019 ; Werner et al, 2020 ).…”