How and why our eating decisions neglect infrequently consumed foods
Sussman,Abigail B. Paley,Anna Alter,Adam L.
Sussman,Abigail B.
Paley,Anna
Alter,Adam L.
Abstract
This paper introduces a novel distinction between foods as a function of the frequency with which consumers eat them, and investigates how this distinction influences dietary beliefs and decisions. It compares food types perceived to be consumed relatively infrequently (i.e., infrequent foods) to those perceived to be consumed relatively frequently (i.e., frequent foods). Across an analysis of archival data from a popular calorie tracking app and five experiments examining hypothetical consumption decisions, findings support the conclusion that infrequent foods provide unique challenges for consumers. All else equal, consumers select larger portions of infrequent (vs. frequent) foods. Further, consumers are less likely to compensate (i.e., eat less) after consuming equal amounts of infrequent versus frequent foods. This pattern of results arises because consumers erroneously believe that infrequent foods have a smaller impact on their weight than frequent foods do, even in the presence of caloric information. Optimistically, participants can be taught to overcome this bias through a brief informational intervention.
Description
Date
2021-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
lay beliefs, consumption decisions, frequency, dietary compensation
Citation
Sussman, A B, Paley, A & Alter, A L 2021, 'How and why our eating decisions neglect infrequently consumed foods', Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 251-269. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucab011
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess