Cognitive dissonance in food and nutrition – A conceptual framework

This paper describes the development of a theoretical framework for the study of cognitive dissonance in food and nutrition. The Food Cognition Dissonance (FCD) conceptual framework integrates relevant principles of cognitive dissonance and attitude, in the context of food and nutrition, to provide a novel perspective of structural food-related cognitive dissonance in relation to the examination of food-related attitudes. The elements and mechanisms within the FCD framework are elaborated, and considerations in the use of the framework are discussed. The FCD framework can be applied to predicting how dissonance-based, food-related attitude change occurs. The approach may stimulate research that will ultimately lead to the development of effective nutrition programmes and/or communications to promote healthy eating. •The Food Cognition Dissonance (FCD) conceptual framework is proposed.•Cognitive dissonance & tri-partite attitude theories are integrated in a food context.•A novel perspective of structural food-related cognitive dissonance is described.•Considerations in the use of FCD framework for food-related research are discussed.