The When Diet:

The Decision to Eat

Many people do not like to make decisions. People prefer to continue along with the status quo and not decide to do or to not do many activities. The decision to eat, though, is one of the most frequently made decisions in any person's life. When a person eats, it is through a conscious decision.

In The When Diet: Mathematically Optimizing Eating and Exercise for Weight Loss, ISBN 978-098151165-8, Todd Easton states that there are two reasons why the decision to eat is the most frequent one people make. The first reason is common sense. People decide to eat to prevent starvation. People want to live so not eating is a non-choice for most people. Without food, life eventually ceases to exist. To ensure that life continues the decision to eat and to drink is made.

Easton's second reason people make the decision to eat is the fact that food provides enjoyment. Many scientific studies show that food has benefits of stress reduction and joy. Food can create changes in the brain's chemistry. These changes provide people with enjoyment and a reason to make the decision to eat.

Easton also discusses how, once the decision to eat is made, people decide what to eat in The When Diet: Mathematically Optimizing Eating and Exercise for Weight Loss.