HEALTH
Crafty Food Marketers Have You in the Palm of Their Hand
Want to eat healthy? Nothing changes until you do
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In a world bent on fast food and convenience, eating a balanced diet has never been more important.
Last week, my husband and I visited a local grocery store to pick up a few fresh veggies for the stir-fry I had planned for dinner. We headed to the produce section, and while I scavenged through zucchini, peppers, carrots, and onions, hubby wandered to another bin to pick out a melon for breakfast. After choosing a cantaloupe, he joined me to finish the final selections.
He seemed a little distracted, glancing around the store at what seemed like nothing in particular.
“Something on your mind?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you later,” he said.
After bagging up the vegetables, we rolled the cart toward the checkout lines at the front. Fortunately, we only had a few items and turned into the open Express Lane. “No waiting” has always been my preference, when given the choice.
As the cashier rang up our goodies, I noticed the other lanes were stacked four-deep, the shopper’s baskets brimming with boxes of cereal, cookies, crackers, frozen dinners, ice cream, bottles of sugary syrups, and cartons of soda.
My husband was quiet … and so was I.
After paying the cashier, we left the store and walked toward our car. We loaded our bags in the back and slipped into the front seat.
Finally, my husband said what was on both of our minds.
“That was depressing.”
I knew exactly what he meant, and it hadn’t been the first time.
Every day, millions of shoppers walk the aisles of food stores, making decisions about what to feed themselves and their families. And the distractions are endless, which means they may not always be making the best choices.
For example, it’s not a coincidence the bakery and deli are usually located near the entrance, just inside the door. Crafty marketers know the tempting aroma of…
