Gaby
A team of psychologists from the University of Aberdeen (UK) has discovered that ready-to-eat food is more appealing than items that require cooking.
The researchers also noted that unhealthy foods, which contribute to weight gain, are typically advertised on billboards as tempting ready-made meals. This includes items like hamburgers, fries, or pizza. In contrast, healthy foods—such as broccoli or salmon—are often depicted in their raw state. This makes it incredibly difficult to resist the temptation to indulge in something calorie-laden and unhealthy, especially after a long day at work.
The scientists have developed a method to help people avoid unhealthy products and choose healthier options instead. The key is to prepare the latter in a way that makes them ready to eat right away, as reported by the Daily Mail.
For instance, you can peel a banana, place it in the fridge, and grab it when you return home. You can also pre-portion nuts into a bowl or slice up some peppers into rings or strips.
The Paradox: Caloric and Unhealthy Food is More Tempting
The researchers’ conclusions are based on the observation that food appears more appetizing when no effort is required to prepare it. The team conducted an experiment to demonstrate how the readiness of food correlates with cravings. Over 200 volunteers aged 16 to 66 participated in the study, where they were shown photographs of food at various stages of preparation and asked how appealing they found each item on a scale from 0 to 100.
The food in the images was presented in pairs, such as raw versus cooked, packaged versus unpackaged, and whole versus sliced. For example, a raw piece of beef was shown alongside a juicy steak, while a whole pepper was compared to sliced pieces.
Ultimately, raw food scored an average of 27 out of 100, while cooked food received 38. Packaged food (around 34) scored lower than unpackaged food (around 36). Additionally, sliced products (around 32) were deemed more appetizing than those that still needed to be cut (around 30).
Participants who reported feeling hungry before viewing the photographs were more likely to choose ready-to-eat food over items that required preparation.
The results, published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, showed that food is 15 percent more appealing when it can be eaten immediately rather than needing to be cooked, cleaned, or even just taken out of packaging.
Interestingly, the researchers noted that their findings applied to all types of food. For instance, volunteers rated a sliced banana as more attractive than one that needed peeling.
In their report, the researchers pointed out that high-calorie foods are associated with a stronger craving for food. This is well-known among the creators of advertising campaigns promoting fast food, which is often detrimental to health.
The Appearance of Ready-to-Eat Healthy Foods Will Stimulate Appetite
Therefore, the results of this new study should be taken into account by healthy eating advertising campaigns. Specifically, fruits, vegetables, and other beneficial foods should be presented as ready to eat, visually appealing, and appetizing.
The scientists’ recommendations also apply to dietitians and other health professionals specializing in nutrition and weight loss. Understanding the nuances of how ready and unprepared foods are perceived can make it easier to persuade the public about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Helen Knight, the lead author of the study, advised: “If you’re starting the year trying to eat better, make sure to prepare healthy meals and avoid going to the store when you’re hungry.”
