Traffic-Light Labels and Choice Architecture Promoting Healthy Food Choices

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NPRtraffic — The cafeteria at Nation Public Radio (NPR) has a similar labeling system to remind diners to be mindful of their food choices.
Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/01/06/260270504/want-to-eat-healthier-in-2014-try-a-traffic-light-system?ft=1&f=1053

Sometime all we need a small nudge in the right direction to pick a healthy food over a not-so-healthy one.

A team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital decided to see if little nudges would help people who ate in the hospital cafeteria make healthier food choices. They placed colored circles next to food items that indicated whether the food is a healthy option (green), an O.K. option (orange), or one to choose rarely (red circle).

The study also tested “choice architecture”—making the healthy choices the easiest choices by making them front and center or placing them alongside popular foods.

After six months, the number of red, unhealthy items purchased in the cafeteria dropped by 20 percent, while green purchases rose by 12 percent. Consumption of sugary sodas dropped by nearly 40 percent!

Read the study here.

NPR wrote about the findings here.

Download the infographic here.