We could make this week's nutritional tip "Venturing for More Veggies" sound like a pronouncement from "The Big Bang Theory's" Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons): "Are you aware that on Mars, as on Earth, eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 40 percent? Well it caaan." But just knowing that may not be enough to get your kids (or you) to eat life-extending, delicious produce.
Well, a highly effective strategy was recently uncovered by scientists at Stanford University. They figured out how to get students, teachers and staff at one of the undergrad dining halls to pile more veggies on their plates: Get Decadent. For their study, they labeled vegetables at the self-serve food stations with: 1. just their names (carrots, broccoli, etc.); 2. info on what they didn't contain (e.g. sugar-free, low-fat); 3. what they contained that was good for you (lots of antioxidants and vitamins); and 4. what they called "decadent" names, such as Twisted Citrus Glazed Carrots. Guess what? The foods with the decadent labels were gobbled up; they "outperformed all others."
So if you have picky eaters, take a page from this marketing study and serve your family clearly labeled Rambunctious Rutabaga or Boisterous Broccoli-and don't stop with the veggies. Offer Colin, your picky eater, Colin's Crazy Cod and/or fish-averse Suzie a Superstar Salmon. You may find that you and your family get a big bang out of eating such tasty, body-lovin' foods.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.
(c) 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.