Read the Fine Print

Losing weight and eating healthy isn’t just about making the right choices consistently. Apparently, it’s also about not getting fooled by marketing strategies.

You might have no intention of drinking a sugary milkshake, but would you consider buying a smoothie?

How about soda pop? Do you think a sports drink is healthier?

A new study from the University of South Carolina reveals that people trying to make healthy food choices are more likely to be misled by fancy food names compared to people who are not consciously dieting, according to a news release.

How can that be?

Well, researchers believe that dieters stay away from things they know they shouldn’t eat based on a product’s name. What they need to be doing is reading labels to check ingredients, calories and fat content, researchers noted.

For the study, participants on a diet were asked to choose between the same candy labeled “fruit chew” and “candy chew.” According to the study, the volunteers perceived the fruit chew as healthier than the candy chew. They also ate more of them.

The study will be published in the August issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.

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Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.