I was inspired by this article by Hemi Weingarten at Foodeducate about the green and red labels on a Twixt bar. Article hereI've started a 10 day experiment where I posted two colored sheets of paper on a counter, separated by a sink. Food is often placed on the counter in the area.
On a clip board, I ask 2 questions.
1. Does the color of the label influence you to choose food from the green side of the counter?
2. Does the color of the label influence you to bring in foods from the green side of the counter.
Time will tell. One person did state that she stopped and thought about it. I think labels and colors do influence us. I will report back on the influence of the labels at the end of the month.
What works:
1. Stopping and thinking before I grab food from a shared space. (food quality is low, most days)
2. Only bringing Paleo/Primal foods to potlucks.
What did not work:
1. Eating free for all in shared spaces
2. Bringing all kinds of crap food to potlucks so I could
Do colors and labels influence you? More to post about next week on this topic.
I used to really like Fooducate, until a couple of years ago when he had some chick with some sort of label (maybe "nutritionist," maybe "marketing whore") write a guest post about some "awesome" calorie-free beverage "infused with real fruit extract." I called him out for going against everything he'd correctly preached for years about crap disguised as "healthy," we got into a little flame war, I never read the site again and probably am banned from it.
ReplyDeleteBut back to the piece at hand...and this really isn't on topic, either...does ANYONE in the public, no matter how well- or poorly-educated; no matter how media-savvy or ignorant of advertising/manipulation...does ANYONE really think there is such a thing as a "healthier" candy bar? Healthy candy is an oxymoron in itself.
It is, however, not surprising, that even small tweaks in packaging fool people into thinking they're doing a good dead by poisoning themselves. And, that said, as we've both said before: avoiding packaged/advertised foods is probably the biggest "thing" we can do to crate and preserve our health.
*good DEED, not good "dead"! :)
DeleteI hear you Norma. There are so many food product placements as "healthy". Not so. I also cast a wary eye on coupons. I don't use them any more unless it's Costco for toilet bowl cleaner. I think there are a lot of people who operate under the influence of big food- like processed food zombies. Walking diseased! We could make a TV show..... ;)
DeleteYes yes and yes! I feel the same way about coupons. I use maybe six a year for almonds or olive oil.
DeleteI really like bringing a dish or two to potlucks that I know are clean, paleo, and full of nutrition... so if I start feeling too nibbly or craving stuff, I can turn to my own dish!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to do it, Jeanette. So many potluck foods are mixtures of all kinds of off template foods for me. I bring a paleo offering and then I know I'll have food to eat. I get a lot of requests for my recipes, so that's good introduction.
DeleteWhen you pick up a snack bar and the label says 50, 60, 70% carb it is not healthy.
ReplyDeleteBe interested to hear your feed back regarding the green and red labels, makes good sense to me.
All the best Jan
Jan, I can't wait to see if it makes a difference. I would love to see whole foods placed in the area where the muffins, doughnuts, and cookies roam "free range" if I can influence that space, I might have to learn to do a cart wheel!! ;)
DeleteI am soooo confused.
ReplyDeleteI think you are talking about your own food, from your own house - ?
And I know you keep your food and your daughter's food (questionable stuff) separate.
So I am not understanding what food, that you would consider, is going on the red side?
Also, ironically, green and red are both appetite stimulants. I only know this because the kids old school painted the cafeteria RED to promote kids finishing their food at lunch time.
I might be experimenting someplace that I frequent often. Outside my house. The place that shall not be named. Because the place has a big "nanny" presence online. :0
DeleteWorth blogging about as a technique and as way to influence. It will be an interesting experience.
Away from home makes sense. It is a bit like shopping cart game I used to play at grocery.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your results of this experiment.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble at potlucks... Since I don't make carb-laden casseroles at home, I feel like I should eat some... When will I have the chance to have some again? Thus, I get myself into trouble unless I am very careful. A little serving does not work for me, because then I just want more!
ReplyDelete