Is a trip to Disney on your calendar for 2016? If so, you’ll be interested in this new study from Cornell’s Food & Brand Lab. It basically found that you can dine and perhaps shed a few pounds at Disney these days. And I’m not just talking about the calories burned from walking around the park.
Basically, the study revealed that when French Fries and regular soda were replaced with low-fat milk or water and fruit or vegetables, calories were reduced by 21%, fat by 44%, and sodium by 43%.
Here’s where it gets interesting though! Customers could STILL ask for fries if they wanted them – that is, they could ‘opt out’ of these healthier options, but half chose to keep the healthier side dish. And 66% chose to keep the milk or water.
This pertained to all 145 restaurants at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida – so we’re not talking about only a few. And, more good news: there was no upcharge for the healthier items!
The important point here is that when healthy options are served as “default” options, people are more likely to keep them and eat healthier as a result. This is particularly important because the study involved children at Disney, and obesity now affects 1 in 6 children and adolescents in the US.
One interesting note: the acceptance rates for the healthier sides and beverages were slightly greater at Disney’s Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) than Table Service Restaurants (TSRs). I asked Dr. John Peters, the author of the study, why this might be the case. He explained, “When people are at a QSR they are usually in a hurry and do not spend a lot of time perusing the menu and debating alternate choices. In this case the default selection is the quick way to go and requires no extra thought. In addition, the TSR setting may be considered more indulgent by nature and the kids may get more opportunity to cast their vote, perhaps eliminating some healthy selections.”
I’ll be watching my girls’ plates carefully the next time we dine at Cinderella’s castle!
Source: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151222082014.htm