How many food decisions do we make everyday?

1. How many food decisions do we make everyday? In this two part study, participants demonstrated how unaware they are about the decisions we make relating to food and how many calories we consume due to our environment. The first study showed that people underestimated the number of food-related decisionsthey made—by an average of more than 221 decisions. Study2 examined people who overserved and overate 31% more foodas a result of having been larger dish.

2. Study 1:decisions, decisions, decisions • People dramatically underestimate the number of food-related decisions they make. • Each small decision is influenced by the environment thus leading to mindless eating • There are 5 food-related decisions we make everyday • When • What • How much • Where • Who Store brand or name brand? Fun-sized or party sized? Low-fat product or regular product? Buy it now or later?

3. Study 2: 8 oz cup or 16 oz? • When participants were given larger dishware they ate 31% more but 74% believed they ate just as much as they normally ate • Only 4% believed they had eaten more because of an environmental cue.

4. Our environment influences food related decisions throughout the day We are not aware how many decisions we make everyday and we are not willing to acknowledge that our environment makes such an impact on us. Our environment can work for us or against us

5. “Just for fun” More on this study, and other Food and Brand lab projects: http://www.foodpsychology.cornell.edu/ http://mindlesseating.org/ Making decisions at Starbucks in ‘You’ve Got Mail.’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UvOXW0etnw Do we need the large fries and drink? Created by: Annalise Shumway