Processed foods are more popular than ever in the United States, and it is important to examine why that is if we are to come up with a solution to counter their unhealthiness.
Unfortunately for consumers, Unhealthy processed foods are often the most visually appealing (Image courtesy of HelpGuide.org)
Today we will be examining the reasons that people purchase heavily processed foods, and what appeals are used to get consumers to buy these products. This is a little different from the reasons consumers simply eat processed foods (such as not having access to organic options), as it will look at why, despite being given a healthier option, consumers may tend to choose ultra-processed foods over minimally processed food products.
When you go to the grocery store, there is an overwhelming amount of visual appeal, from colorful cereal boxes with flashy words to exotic-looking juice cartons. Many of these products are typically heavily processed and therefore lead to adverse effects on your health. So what keeps consumers coming back to these foods in particular and disregarding healthier options? Well, it often boils down to a few key, yet simple aspects. Processed foods tend to have a far better taste, look visually remarkable, and are produced by established companies with a strong media presence.
One reason you may find yourself constantly eating an unbalanced diet is because of the sweet, addictive taste of high fructose. High fructose corn syrup is an added sweetener found in many store products around the nation. It is most abundantly found in low-nutrient calorie-dense foods like soda, processed desserts, prepackaged meals, granola bars, sweetened juices, etc. Along with other added sugars and sweeteners, the great concentration of high fructose corn syrup in many ultra-processed food products keeps consumers coming back for more, particularly those with a sweet tooth.
Processed food items (particularly those that can be found at a supermarket) also tend to appeal greatly to consumers' sense of sight. Whether through the packaging or the product itself, many processed foods exhibit vibrant, attractive colors to catch the attention of consumers. In the image seen below, you can notice the variety of colors, seeming to make up the entire spectrum of color. Naturally, as people like to purchase things they find appealing, the vibrant colors of these products lead to an increase in sales. When it comes to the foods themselves being the eye-catchers as a result of their colors, this is typically due to the use of artificial food coloring. Many times, synthetic dyes are used to make processed foods look more appealing, as well as to increase shelf life. This occurs in so many foods, that it is difficult to know what is natural and what is not, with many hotdogs being grey before the added color (but if you're at a store looking at packaged food, that's probably not its natural color).
The multitude of colors on this shelf of drinks and salads demonstrates the visual appeal of processed food products (Image courtesy of Sergiy Palamarchuk on Alamy Photos)
Many companies that produce processed foods do well to make a name for themselves. Brands like Kellogg's, General Mills, and the like are widely known due to their influence and result in many people buying their processed products over a potentially healthier product they have never heard of. Advertisements for ultra-processed food products often make misleading, unsubstantiated claims to get consumers to believe that a product has more value than it actually does. Sayings like "Heart Healthy" or "Lowers Cholesterol" aren't always as simple as they seem. A product may claim to lower cholesterol due to its one gram of fiber per serving, which although true, doesn't mean much as most foods contain fiber. These claims often have an asterisk tacked on and fine print at the bottom that you have to search for to learn what the claim actually means.
When trying to live a healthier lifestyle, it is important to know why you have certain non-productive habits and why. The next time you go grocery shopping, keep in mind the ways that you may be persuaded to buy ultra-processed foods, and I encourage you to choose the healthier options instead.