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Eating an apple upon entering the grocery store led to shoppers buying 25 per cent more fruits and vegetables than those who did not in a new study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab.
"What this teaches us," says Aner Tal, PhD of Cornell, "is that having a small healthy snack before shopping can put us in a healthier mindset and steer us towards making better food choices."
Tal and co-author Brian Wansink conducted three experiments to make their case, the first of which involved 120 shoppers.
They were given at random an apple, a cookie or nothing at all as they arrived at the grocery store.
Tracking their purchases, the researchers concluded that those who had eaten an apple bought 28 per cent more fruits and vegetables than those who had consumed a cookie and 25 per cent more fruits and vegetables than those who were not given a snack.
In the second experiment, 56 participants who were given either a real cookie or a real apple to eat and then shown 20 images containing two products each. They were asked to select which one they would purchase and each image featured one healthy item and one unhealthy item, calorie count being the distinguishing factor.
Results were similar to the first experiment with the cookie eaters opting for a disproportionate amount of unhealthy items.
At this point the researchers wanted to see whether framing a food item as healthy or not could influence shopping choices.
Dividing 59 participants randomly into three groups they tested the controversial practice of promoting foods as healthy, when in fact the healthiness of that food is either offset by high sugar or absent entirely.
The first group was given a chocolate milk labeled "healthy, wholesome chocolate milk." The second was given the same beverage labeled "rich, indulgent chocolate milk" and the third received no chocolate milk.
All participants were asked to perform a virtual shopping task; choosing between healthy and unhealthy foods.
Ironically those who were given the chocolate milk labeled healthy and wholesome made healthier selections during the virtual grocery shopping exercise.
What influences shoppers — according to the study — is the perceived healthfulness rather than the actual healthfulness.
The researchers recommend shoppers to eat a small healthy snack before going to the grocery store in order to reduce hunger and point you in the right direction when it comes to making healthy choices.
The study was published Wednesday in the journal Psychology and Marketing along with another by Dr. Wansink that says getting hooked on health foods depends on their being convenient, well-presented and seeming like the natural choice.
The Most Unhealthy Food Ingredients
Artificial Colours(01 of29)
Open Image ModalBleached White Flour(02 of29)
Open Image ModalFound in most white breads, bleached white flour is usually stripped of nutrients and fibre and adds little value to our diets, Felip says. (credit:Shutterstock)
High-Fructose Corn Syrup(03 of29)
Open Image ModalThis ingredient is found in most processed foods, including lunch meats, and has no nutritional value, Felip says. It has also been linked to increase risks of type 2 diabetes, and overconsumption can be damaging to our livers. (credit:Shutterstock)
Artificial Sweeteners(04 of29)
Open Image ModalArtificial sweeteners give food that sugary taste that is also quite addictive. But Felip says that artificial sweeteners are usually chemically derived and have been linked to migraines and even cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)(05 of29)
Open Image ModalBHT or butylated hydroxytoluene is often added to most processed foods to preserve fats. Felip says overconsumption of this chemical can cause allergic reactions on the skin. (credit:Shutterstock)
Partially Hydrogenated Oil(06 of29)
Open Image ModalPartially hydrogenated oils (which are often found in cake mixes, peanut butter and baked goods) can decrease good cholesterol levels, are linked to heart disease and are hard for the body to dissolve, Felip says. (credit:Shutterstock)
MSG(07 of29)
Open Image ModalMSG (monosodium glutamate) is a food additive that is found in many foods, especially in fast food restaurants. Felip says MSGs often overexcite our nerve cells in the brain and can even (eaten in large amounts) cause brain cell death. On top of that, MSGs also can lead to exhaustion after a big meal. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sodium Nitrate And Sodium Nitrite(08 of29)
Open Image ModalSodium Benzoate(09 of29)
Open Image ModalSodium benzoate is a chemical preservative that is used to prevent the growth of bacteria in foods like jams, fruit pies and soft drinks. "It can also deprives our cells of oxygen and weakens the immune system," Felip says. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sulphites(10 of29)
Open Image ModalDried Fruit(11 of29)
Open Image ModalPickles(12 of29)
Open Image ModalThe acid in vinegar, which is essential to the pickling process, wears away at the enamel of your teeth and causes staining. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sugar(13 of29)
Open Image ModalSugar creates an acidic environment in your mouth, and over time, that can wear away at your tooth’s enamel. (credit:Shutterstock)
Wine(14 of29)
Open Image ModalRed and white wines contain erosive acid, which can soften valuable enamel within five minutes of exposure. The tannins (compounds found in red wine) also dry out the mouth and can stain teeth. (credit:Shutterstock)
Pop(15 of29)
Open Image ModalDrinking pop full of sugar often leads to cavities, but it can also lead to tooth erosion. Surprisingly, so does diet pop. "Sugar-free diet sodas also contain citric and phosphoric acid and can erode the enamel when consumed often," he says. (credit:Shutterstock)
Hard Candies(16 of29)
Open Image ModalHard candies take a while to dissolve in your mouth and during this time, sugar sticks to your teeth and can cause damage to your enamel. Hard candies that dissolve slowly in your mouth allow bacteria more time to produce acid, which can also damage your chompers. (credit:Shutterstock)
Chewy Candies(17 of29)
Open Image ModalChewy candies stick to your teeth for a long time and allow bacteria to feed off the sugars. "Bacteria forms acid with the sugar, which attacks the protective layer of tooth enamel," Odiatu says. (credit:Shutterstock)
Citrus Fruits(18 of29)
Open Image Modal"Citrus fruit are fine as part of a balanced diet. But you would be surprised to hear how many Canadians have a maladaptive habit of sucking on limes or lemons throughout the day," he says. Citric acid in fruit wears away the tooth enamel which leaves teeth susceptible to cavities. (credit:Shutterstock)
Fruit Juices(19 of29)
Open Image ModalAcidic fruit juices raise the level of acid in your mouth and over time, this can also eat away at your tooth enamel. Fruit juices, like lime or cranberry, can be just as acidic as vinegar and can wear down the tooth enamel over time, leading to cavities, and sensitive teeth, Odiatu says. (credit:Shutterstock)
Coffee And Tea(20 of29)
Open Image ModalThe darker the beverage, the darker the stain. You may think tea is gentler on your teeth than coffee, but that’s not always the case. "Some black tea may stain your teeth more than coffee. Like red wine, black teas have high tannin content which causes staining." (credit:Shutterstock)
Crackers(21 of29)
Open Image ModalRefined carbohydrates come in many forms. "There are a growing number of articles in the dental health literature that have related the high consumption of refined carbohydrates to inflammation in the body." Odiatu says. Inflammation is a key player in a number of chronic diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis (inflammation around tissues that support your teeth). (credit:Shutterstock)
Processed Meat(22 of29)
Open Image ModalRed Meat(23 of29)
Open Image ModalPizza(24 of29)
Open Image ModalAlfredo Sauce(25 of29)
Open Image ModalTrans Fats(26 of29)
Open Image ModalFried Foods(27 of29)
Open Image ModalSoda(28 of29)
Open Image ModalFast Food(29 of29)
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