Chores are nearly always unwelcome tasks, and navigating the dangers of the store has become more difficult as marketers have learned what attracts the eye. Healthy foods are often easy to spot, but they are crowded in small areas, and the less healthy options are often packaged in appealing colors. For the unwary shopper, resisting these enticing packages can be a difficult decision, and moving on to the healthy items is often the last step before leaving the store.
Packaging plays an enormous role in helping shoppers make choices, and experts have honed their skills over the last few decades. Each package is designed to attract the eye and convince the consumer it is the best choice to put it in their cart, but that does not necessarily mean it is a healthy choice. Snack foods tend to be the brightest packages, and meats often show their beauty through clear plastic. Fighting the desire to pick up an attractive package can be difficult.
Fruits and vegetables are generally displayed with little or no packaging, but they have their own set of difficulties for consumers. Many of the most colorful choices are loaded with sugar or empty calories, and consumers are often enticed by lower prices when making their decisions. While it is generally good to have a diet high in fruit and vegetables, buying too many can also be a hazard that will keep consumers buying canned, frozen or prepared foods.
Grains and legumes are healthy choices, but many of them are displayed in bins with little or no packaging for the customer to enjoy. Learning to choose the healthiest choice takes education and a strong will, and few consumers have the time to do their homework when it comes to food choices. They see these types of items as just another chore, and they often choose the less healthy options for convenience alone.
