Carrots or candy bars? Context shapes choice of healthy foods

(Duke University) Pop quiz: Given a choice between indulgent and healthy foods, what will most people pick? The answer may depend on what foods sit nearby on the grocery shelf, suggests new Duke University research. Paradoxically, the nearby presence of an indulgent treat such as Snickers or Oreos can cause more people to opt for a healthy food, such as salmon or grapefruit, said study co-author Scott Huettel. Context, in other words, affects food choices.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2CdA8ts