Vegetable Dishes With Fun Names May Be More Popular Than Those With Healthy Names, Study Suggests

When is a carrot not just a carrot? When it’s a “twisted citrus-glazed carrot.” New research shows that when vegetables are described in new and exciting ways, diners tend to choose these healthy foods more often. One nutritionist wasn’t surprised by the finding. “Ask a dietitian and they will tell you a positive eating experience is one where people are making healthy food choices that they are also excited about,” said Heather Seid. She helps manage clinical nutrition at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “People sometimes consider ‘healthy’ foods to not be tasty or satisfying,” she said. “However, this study found that when the language used for labeling vegetables is changed from ‘healthy’ terms to those with more ‘indulgent’ taste descriptions, people are more likely to choose them.” The Stanford University study was led by Bradley Turnwald and