Do you own an apple slicer? If not, it’s a great gift to put on your Christmas stocking/holiday list. A recent study found that when schools had an apple slicer, consumption of apples jumped up by a whopping 71%. In this new study out of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, researchers found that the way you package and slice food makes a big difference in whether you will eat it. When the apple was sliced, the percentage of participants who ate more than half of their apple increased by 73%. This effect lasted a long time after the study ended.
Why? There is something to be said for making food easy and fun to eat! Sliced bite-sized apples equals no apple stuck in your teeth. Also, segments are easy to dunk in peanut butter or other dips. Apples taste great but they also increase your fiber intake which helps you to feel fuller (study on the benefit of eating apples).
In the book, EatQ, there is a list of other fun kitchen tools like the apple slicer that promote easy, fun healthy eating. The point—forget dieting. Just a few tweaks and tools can have a dramatic difference on healthy, mindful eating. (PS. find an apple slicer now for only 96 cents as an add on item on Amazon).
Dr. Susan Albers is a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic and author of the new book, EatQ (HaperOne, 2013), Eating Mindfully, 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food. www.eatq.com She is frequently quoted in Shape, Fitness, New York Times, Wall Street Journal etc. and has been a guest on the Dr. Oz show.
Sign up for her free newsletter on www.eatq.com and get a downloadable guide on how to eat more mindfully during the holidays.