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The Effect of Decision Fatigue on Food Choices: A Narrative Review

N. Brasington,E. Beckett,P. Pristijono,T. Akanbi

Published 2025 in Nutrients

ABSTRACT

Background: Decision fatigue has been studied in medical settings but is rarely explored in the context of food choice. Decision fatigue can lead to depleted mental energy, exhaustion, poorer decision-making abilities, reduced willpower, increased risk aversion, and impaired prioritisation. Food choices are frequent decision-making situations that may be influenced by decision fatigue, potentially leading to impulsive and less health-conscious food selections. Objective: This review consolidates current knowledge on food choice and its complexity, decision fatigue, and ego depletion, and considers how these may interact. The scales used to measure decision fatigue are also reviewed. Methods: Literature was identified through searches in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using combinations of keywords such as “decision fatigue,” “ego depletion,” “food choice,” and “dietary behaviour.” Relevant studies were screened based on English-language publications and relevance to food choice. Results: Existing studies highlight associations between decision fatigue and poorer decision quality, but few have directly examined links to food choice. Evidence suggests potential mechanisms, though findings remain largely speculative. Conclusions: There is currently a paucity of evidence specifically connecting decision fatigue with food choices. Potential solutions to reduce this burden, such as the use of convenience foods as a nudge toward healthier decisions, warrant further exploration.

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