(1) Steak-and-Potatoes Sticklers - The tried-and-true steak-and-potatoes person is a classic traditionalist. Often times, they don't even need to read the menu at the restaurant because they know exactly what they want. The high protein of the meat and the lack of a palette of bright colors suggest that these folks are rather "down to earth". For them to be satisfied, they need to be financially stable and secure with a job, home, and family. You can typically trust these people and get practical, grounded advice from them. They don't like to let people down, and they won't want you to let them down either. Too much steak and potatoes may result in a less adventurous, "stick in the mud" personality as they may be resistant to change.

(2) Carb Cravers - You can spot them in a second as they automatically reach for the bread basket, or peruse the pasta section of the menu. Without a doubt, carb cravers are those who tend to do too much, which is why they need all that quick energy from carbohydrates. They love throwing themselves in the midst of action and excitement, but then later, they realize that they took on too much and now their lives are out of balance and stressful. Too many carbs signals imbalance. These folks are stressed and are attempting to balance their brain biochemistry by pumping up their feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin. Carb-lovers are missing comfort and sweetness in their lives. They can repair their carb fixation by re-evaluating their lives to create more joy and happiness!

(3) Green Giants - Having a salad as an appetizer is one thing, but there are some individuals who order salads as the main course. It's rare, but they are out there - people who love raw, leafy, green vegetables, every parent's and nutritionist's dream! There are also people who eat more vegetables not because they like them but because they are health-conscious. Eating lots of vegetables may denote a healthy, free-thinking individual who is expansive in how they live life. They may try to keep ahead of the curve, and be aware of the latest health trends. A vegetable lover leans toward open-minded social views and being social, especially with like-minded people who are passionate, intense, and dedicated to causes. Vegetable eating out of discipline and not out of love indicates that the person is highly motivated to achieve their goals, even if it means having to restrict their sense of fun and pleasure. If this is the case, they may have their eye on unattainable perfection rather than inner satisfaction.

(4) Fried Food Fans - People who order foods of the "brown, crisp" variety, like fried chicken and fried potatoes, are most likely "fried" themselves. Their lust for life has been shriveled and burnt to a crisp, their hearts are weary, and their spark for living has fizzled out. They may appear lackluster, their expression may fall flat. Eating brown foods indicates that a life that needs an overhaul - some rejuvenation and color. For these people, it is too easy to sink into the comfort of crackling, brown, salty foods rather than to get the motivated to make a shift in their lives. When you eat with someone that chooses brown foods, give them some inspirational food for thought! Guide them to the rainbow of whole, un-fried foods. Give them ways to "get moving" and out of the sludge of their current situation!

(5) Sugar Sprinklers - Sugar, sugar, everywhere! You've seen it - people that focus more on the dessert than on the meal. They might reach for the colorful square packets of sugar to start dumping them in their drinks while they skip to the dessert section of the menu first to see what lie ahead. For the sugar-lovers, there is always room for dessert, no matter what, and dinner is the gateway to what they really want - the hot fudge sundae, crème brulee, ice cream. Their days are speckled with soft drinks and saccharine snacks. They may be incredibly sweet people, but they may not feel their lives are sweet, which is why they may be trying to take a short cut to sweetness through the path of foods. Enjoy your meal with those sinking in sugar, as they need more happiness and laughter. By letting them let loose in a stimulating, stress-free dinner conversation, they may not feel the need to bury themselves under a blanket of white!

(6) The Salt Shaker - Does the person shake the salt before shaking your hand? If so, you may want to find out what is shaking under the surface. People who add salt to just about anything (even before trying it first!) are really looking for flow and movement in their lives. They want to "shake things up" but they don't know how. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure in salt-sensitive individuals, causing too much fluid retention. What these people need is to move, dance, and flow into healthier lives.

Although it's not the absolute path to figuring out the complex nature of one's being, food choices say heaps about someone's life - giving insight on their health, social views, emotional state, and approach to living. Indeed, the plate is a small window into the soul!

Deanna Minich, PhD, CN, (www.foodandspirit.com) is a nutritionist who sees more to food than calories and macronutrients. She helps guide others in using foods and eating as tools for personal growth and nourishment for the soul. She has written three books on nutrition, on topics ranging from food additives to dietary supplements and even to the connection of food to spirituality. Her latest book, Chakra Foods for Optimum Health: A Guide to the Foods that can Improve Your Energy, Inspire Creative Changes, Open Your Heart, and Heal Body, Mind, and Spirit, invites you to open your heart, unravel your intuition, and take a journey to inner and outer bliss with every bite you take!