Eat Healthy Snacks Before Shopping to Encourage Healthy Impulse Buys

You already know not to grocery shop hungry, but the throw in of snack you have may make a difference.

In a recent study, shoppers who sampled an apple selected 28% more fruits and vegetables than those who didnt get a sample at all.

The study,published in Psychology & Marketing, involved a real apple (or cookie, for some lucky volunteers) and an imaginary shopping trip.

So the technique hasnt been field-tested, but it fits with previous research onpriming: reminding you that fruit is delicious makes you want more fruit.

And its an easy tip to implement: just snack on an apple (or another fruit or veggie of your choice) before you go shopping.

Pair this with a(water) drinking gameand see if you come out of the store with more healthy choices.

Healthier Samples Result in Healthier Choices at the Grocery Store| Cornell University Food and Brand Lab

Photo byApple and Pear Australia.