You already know not to grocery shop hungry, but the type of snack you have may make a difference. In a recent study, shoppers who sampled an apple selected 28% more fruits and vegetables than those who didn’t get a sample at all.


The study, published in Psychology & Marketing, involved a real apple (or cookie, for some lucky volunteers) and an imaginary shopping trip. So the technique hasn’t been field-tested, but it fits with previous research on priming: reminding you that fruit is delicious makes you want more fruit.

And it’s an easy tip to implement: just snack on an apple (or another fruit or veggie of your choice) before you go shopping. Pair this with a (water) drinking game and see if you come out of the store with more healthy choices.


Healthier Samples Result in Healthier Choices at the Grocery Store | Cornell University Food and Brand Lab

Photo by Apple and Pear Australia.

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