This article summarizes the relationships among optimism, nutrition, and health behavior. The benefits from optimism are addressed, optimism is defined, and measurement scales for testing optimism are presented. The purpose of this article is to review primary research studies and clarify the relationship between optimism and nutrition-related health behaviors. The literature offers confirmatory evidence that optimism enhances mental and physical well-being. Food selection decisions and the role of optimism are explained. Optimism increases the likelihood of making healthy food choices and living a healthier life. Finally, several reasons are proposed for explaining why optimism is overwhelmingly beneficial for physical and mental health.
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