"Do" Focus on Benefits, "Don't" Dwell on Negatives
Food and Nutrition
Obie Editorial Team
The researchers discovered most people would rather just be told what to eat for a healthy living and how the particular food contributes to health and vitality. The average consumer will never know as much about the intricacies of nutrition as the experts do but the big, happy, positive message hits the mark almost every time.
The study suggests public health campaigns would be more effective if the message were delivered in a positive manner that encourages healthy food choices rather than in a negative message that makes it seem like everything that tastes good is bad.
Parents can incorporate this lesson into family food choices, too. Instead of telling your spouse or children don’t eat a cheeseburger because it will clog your arteries and may give you a heart attack when you’re older, tell them to eat a tuna sandwich on whole-grain bread so the tuna will help grow strong bones and teeth and the whole-grain bread will help prevent tummy problems.
Other “do” tips to encourage healthy food choices:
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