One marketing experiment discovers that people tend to eat more ice cream if it is labeled “Low Fat.” Do you have any experiences of feeling less guilty about consuming more because of a label (low-fat, meatless, organic, etc.)? (5-8 sentences)
Answer 2 classmate replies without using the words “I agree”: (3-5 sentences)
Classmate 1: I do have experiences of feeling less guilty about consuming more because of a label. For example, when a label reads “made with real fruit”, “no artificial flavors”, “excellent source of vitamins or minerals”, “immune support”, or “heart healthy”, I definitely feel less conscious of the amount of food or drink I consume. When a food does not have these labels, I tend to be more aware of the amount I consume. I generally eat healthy foods, so I would not say all of my purchasing decisions are made based on those labels, but there are often times the thought in my head that something I am eating needs to be in more moderation than other foods I eat with “healthier” labels. I see how this would lead to purchasing foods with healthier labels more often than foods without those labels because I probably go through them quicker. Overall, I don’t think the labels determine whether I eat the entire tub of ice cream or not, since I mostly try to eat things in moderation regardless of the label.
classmate 2: It does not surprise me that people find themselves eating more of a food when it is labeled as low-fat. “Guilt-free” is a popular term that is used within the health and fitness community online. People who are conscious about their diets can feel guilty about having a food that is deemed “unhealthy”. I have seen food be labeled as “good’ or “bad” but an article from the British Heart Foundation explains why that stigma can be problematic. The article called “Why there’s no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods” explains how some people approach eating habits with the idea that particular meals are “good” or “bad.” This applies to basic notions of healthy eating as well as the frequent connections between nutrition and weight loss.The problem is that this mindset doesn’t work and isn’t always accurate. You already know how difficult it may be to give up a favorite meal. So something that is forbidden will probably make you want to eat it even more. It is important to remember that foods are neither good or bad and =everything can be enjoyed in moderation.
I have had experiences in the past of feeling less guilty when consuming a food that was low calorie, low, sugar, or labeled as “good”. I always try to remember to enjoy things in moderation and be mindful of calories when consuming my favorite foods. It does not hurt to choose something tat is low calorie over an alternative, but if you eat more of that food, it defeats the point.
Works cited
Why there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” foods. (n.d.). Why There’s No Such Thing as “good” or “bad” Foods – BHF. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/good-foods-bad-foods
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