Despite massive public education efforts and ubiquitous nutrition labeling, consumers don't appreciate the caloric impact of their portion choices and, if they exercise, self-righteously overcompensate by increasing their food intake. So concludes Cornell University professor Brian Wansink, as reported in today's New York Times . (free registration required)
He found that while most people think they make only 15 food decisions a day, they are really making more than 200. And his research with college students show a wide variety and many unexpected bases for these decisions. He takes shots at those "at 30,000 feet" who call for changes in the food system, school lunches and farm policy and he pans "nutritionists and diet fanatics" who beat-up on individuals for "bad" food choices. His approach is a series of practical habits to chip away at calorie intake.
Dr. Wansink's research took no cognizance of salt intake, but his conclusions invite a salt-related question. Among the unrecognized, even unconscious, food choices may be an inherent salt appetite. Perhaps a future study.
