How convenience reduced less healthy food consumption by 28%
Abstract
“Convenience” and “taste” are two strong determinants of food choice. Unfortunately, it's the less healthy food that tends to be more convenient, resulting in people forgoing the benefits of healthier options.
This intervention tested whether healthy eating habits can be encouraged by making healthy food options more convenient than less healthy ones. They introduced a convenience line at a school cafeteria that only sold healthy food options and flavored milk. The convenience line nudged students to select 19% more healthier food options and reduced consumption of less healthy food by 28%. The results also suggest that students substituted less healthy food with flavored milk.
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