Here’s a simple way scientists have found increases the likelihood you’ll eat more healthy fruit: Store it in a clear bowl in an easy-to-reach place.
The technique boosted fruit intake among nearly 100 college students who participated in a study reported in the journal Environment and Behavior.
Researchers found that when fruits and vegetables were stored within arm’s reach, students were more likely to eat them. Students also tended to eat more fruit when it was stored in more visible ways – such as in a clear bowl – but the tendency didn’t hold true for vegetables.
For the study, researchers Gregory J. Privitera and Heather E. Creary tested 96 college students by placing apple slices and carrot sticks in either clear or opaque bowls at a table close to the participants or at a table about six feet away. Participants were told that they were welcome to eat it.
After leaving the students alone with the food, the researchers noted apples and carrots placed close to the students were more likely to be eaten. Placing them in clear bowls also increased the intake of the apples but not the carrots.
"Apples, but not carrots, have sugar, which is known to stimulate brain reward regions that induce a 'wanting' for foods that contain sugar," the authors wrote. "Hence, apple slices may be more visually appealing than carrots."