Abstract
In this research, we tested the effect of a novel method of presenting calorie information—highlighting relative differences in calories among ingredients. We conducted an online hypothetical food choice experiment where 633 participants selected the ingredients for a sandwich from five categories: meat/protein, cheese, spread/dressing, bread, and vegetables. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of four calorie information conditions: 1) a condition in which no information about calories was provided, 2) a condition in which calorie information was provided for each ingredient, 3) a condition in which calorie information was presented relative to the highest calorie item, and 4) a condition in which calorie information was presented relative to the lowest calorie item. Participants in the high- and low-calorie reference conditions ordered between 32 and 36 fewer calories per sandwich than participants in the no-calorie information control condition (p ≤ 0.04). Calories ordered by participants in the per-item calorie condition were not significantly different than the control. Presenting relative calorie or other nutritional information to make health-related trade-offs more salient may guide consumers to make healthier choices.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 104727 |
Journal | Appetite |
Volume | 153 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2020 |
Keywords
- Behavioral economics
- Calorie estimation
- Calorie labeling
- Cognition
- Food choice
- Food-away-from-home
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology
- Nutrition and Dietetics