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Time preferences and food choice

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  • Brownback, Andy
  • Imas, Alex
  • Kuhn, Michael A.

Abstract

Food choices are canonical examples used to illustrate the importance of time preferences in behavioral economics. However, the literature lacks a direct demonstration that they are well-predicted by incentivized time preference measures. We offer direct evidence by combining a novel, two-question, incentivized time preference measurement with data from a field experiment that includes grocery purchases and consumption. Both our measures of standard discounting and non-stationary discounting are predictive of food choices, capturing a number of behaviors consistent with self-control problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Brownback, Andy & Imas, Alex & Kuhn, Michael A., 2026. "Time preferences and food choice," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:253:y:2026:i:c:s0047272725002403
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105541
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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