I usually don’t have nice things to say about food marketers. They’ve somehow managed to convince the general public of all sorts of lies. Like that fat is bad for us. Or sugar isn’t that big of a deal.
But according to a new study, using some of those proven marketing tricks on healthy foods might be just as effective.
The mark? Plain old vegetables. Turns out, using spiced-up language to describe veggies makes more people eat them. Especially when compared to language that points out the health benefits.
In a recent study, researchers played with the labels at a large university cafeteria. They’d give the same vegetable dishes one of four types of names:
- Basic (green beans, for instance)
- Healthy restrictive (“light ‘n’ low-carb green beans and shallots”)
- Healthy positive (“healthy energy-boosting green beans and shallots”)
- Indulgent (“sweet sizzlin’ green beans and crispy shallots”)
Even though the foods were exactly the same, the “indulgent” labeling caused 25 percent more people to choose the vegetables compared to basic labeling, 35 percent more compared to healthy positive, and 41 percent more compared to healthy restrictive.
And the people who did serve themselves veggies piled more on the plate when indulgent labeling was used.
Just goes to show you the power that words and messaging have over us. Now if only we could get some of those soda marketers to use their skills on healthy foods, just imagine what a healthy world we’d live in.
Until then—you have The A-List Diet to guide you in the right direction.
A-Listers’ Corner
Sarah’s A-List story
I take a lot of pride in helping my clients make positive changes in their life. Whether you write to me through email or social media, I am so pleased to hear about your experiences with living a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Here’s a recent success story that I hope will help motivate you to stick with the healthy changes you’ve made on your A-List journey:
“After I drink the Amino Booster in 16 oz. of water (post workout), I’m not hungry for hours! I used to be famished.
Now, I am not even all that hungry at dinner time. It changed my appetite. It’s as if my body is getting fueled and I feel satiated.”
If you’d like to share your story with me, please send an email to drfred@alistdietbook.com
Recipe of the Week
This week’s A-List recipe spotlight is burgers:
Taco Burger Wrap (page 205 of The A-List Diet Book)
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 large iceberg lettuce leaf
- 1 ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon sliced jalapeño
- 11/2 tablespoons red taco sauce
Directions:
- Preheat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan over high heat.
- In a medium bowl, mix the beef, cumin, paprika, and lime juice until well combined. Form a patty that is oblong rather than circular. Be careful not to overwork the meat or pack the patty too tightly.
- Grill the patty to the desired doneness, 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
- Place the lettuce on a plate and place the burger on the stem end. Top with the cheese, jalapeño, and taco sauce. Fold the lettuce over the burger—no bun required. Serve.