Everyone knows they should eat more vegetables. But only about 10 percent of Americans eat the recommended number of veggies per day. A recent study found that tasty descriptions can encourage people to make healthier choices.
Researchers tested whether food labels on vegetables served in dining halls affected college students’ food choices. They tested three types of labels at five universities across the country: tasty, healthy, or basic.
Tasty labels used words linked to excitement, indulgence, tradition, or geographic locations. They included names like “Herb n’ Honey Balsamic Glazed Turnips” and “Sizzlin’ Szechuan Green Beans.”
Healthy labels used names like “Healthy Choice Turnips” or “Nutritious Green Beans.” Basic labels read “Turnips” or “Green Beans.” The dishes were the same every time. Only the labels changed….