Holidays are linked to feasts for many people, and therefore people who are forced to abide by dietary restrictions (for example, due to allergies, health problems, religious or cultural norms) often feel lonely during the holidays.
According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, when a person, regardless of age, can not share a common meal with the rest, he has a feeling of loneliness.
According to the authors of the study, experts from Cornell University, the loneliness experienced by people with food restrictions is comparable to the loneliness faced by people with low income or unmarried. Moreover, it is even stronger than that of American students who are not native English speakers.
According to the study, the presence of food restrictions by 19% increases the feeling of loneliness, regardless of the severity of the restrictions and whether people are forced to adhere to them or do it of their own free will.
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