What’s in a diet? Conceptual and methodological challenges in classifying dietary groups
Abstract
Despite longstanding calls for scientific consensus on the definitions and categorisation of animal-restrictive dietary groups (Ruby, 2012; Rosenfeld, 2018), significant discrepancies remain. Urgency to address this issue is only growing, as dietary diversity increases. Without a shared conceptual and methodological framework, the field risks hindering theoretical integration and meta-analytic work. In this commentary, we highlight two key considerations in dietary group categorisation, calling for greater clarity, consistency and collaboration to strengthen cumulative progress in the field.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Nutritional Studies and Diet
Diet and metabolism studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations
- Publisher
- Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID)
- Volume
- 5
- Publication date
- 19 February 2026
- Language
- EN