New study shows apples lead to better choices

You know it’s not wise to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.

Research shows that you are more likely to buy caloric foods if you are hungry. According to research published by The Journal of the American Medical Association, “even short-term fasts can lead people to make more unhealthy food choices, picking a higher quantity of high-calorie, relative to low-calorie, foods.”

And you’ll spend more money according to a recent study done by The University of Minnesota quoted in their article, “An Empty Stomach Can Lead to An Empty Wallet.” Plus, the sugary, fatty snacks and treats are just too tempting and you tend to buy more food than originally planned.

But did you know that if you eat an apple before you shop for food, you can actually help your overall health?

A recent study by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab “found that individuals who ate an apple sample before shopping bought 25% more fruits and vegetables than those who did not eat a sample.” The researchers in charge of the study, Aner Tal, PhD and Brian Wansink, PhD, basically gave samples to shoppers and tracked their buying habits.

People were given an apple, cookie or no sample prior to grocery shopping. And they found that the shoppers who were given an apple sample, “bought 28% more fruits and vegetables than those given a cookie sample and 25% more fruits and vegetables than those given no sample.” It seems that eating the fruit prior to shopping changes a person’s mindset to want to purchase and eat healthier foods.

Start Good Health with an Apple

With this in mind, you may want to bite into a delicious, crisp apple before heading out to do your shopping. And if you don’t have one on hand, you can always buy one at the store in the produce department before you shop. Who knows? This may start a new, healthier diet for you to lose weight and look better. After all, if you don’t bring the caloric, fatty foods home, the chances of eating them disappear!

What’s your favorite healthy snack? Please let us know here.

And to see our cool, new caramel-apple nutrition-comparison chart, register to be a Tastee Apple member here.