This post is part of a continuing series on Food Marketing Shenanigans that explores: How does it happen that when it comes to food, smart people are often not so very smart? It’s because we need a different kind of smarts to stay healthy in an unhealthy food environment, i.e., “marketing-smarts.” (Find Part 1 in … Read more
Are you a smart person? What kind of question is that?!! Of course we’re all smart people. So how is it that when it comes to food, we’re often not so very smart: Uncritically trusting what food companies tell us about their products. Trusting that if something is on the grocery store shelf, it must … Read more
In a recent newsletter, holistic certified nutritionist Elyse Wagner made a vulnerable share. She described how she had made a super yummy bean dip for the Super Bowl and then proceeded, chip by chip, to eat “HALF yes, HALF of the bean dip before HALF TIME.” As an experienced health coach, Elyse knew she needed … Read more
The Season of Stress is upon us! When my children were growing up, how many holiday seasons did I get wound up to the point of breaking? Every one! Back then, self-care wasn’t a “thing.” We all just stressed our way merrily through the holidays. Thank goodness, the importance of self-care and wellness have been … Read more
“Purpose-Driven” and “Mission-Driven” are hot concepts these days. Even big consulting firms like Deloitte have been touting their benefits. Now our new Covid reality seems to be sparking some soul-searching for purpose and mission on a personal level. I’m wondering if that should include our food lives. Do we have a good sense of what … Read more
Isn’t it crazy that food can cause actual fear? Yet for many of us, the thought of “health-ifying” our diet does indeed cause at least an undercurrent of consternation, anxiousness, maybe despair. But what if it isn’t just about the food . . . and what if there’s an easier solution than sacrifice? Obviously we … Read more
A sales trainer was giving a talk recently where he asked a curious question. For coaches like me, he recommended asking new prospects, “Do you want the result or do you want the process?” To illustrate his point, he asked his audience, “Who here wants to get in better shape?” More than a few people … Read more
Food contamination is a big topic these days–and for good reason, with plenty of food recalls making the news. While certainly concerning, the previous post pointed out that the food scares most often created by Big Food are then used by Big Food as a marketing gimmick. Potential food safety threats are used to scare … Read more
. . . or How to Be Smarter Than the Average Food Marketer Food marketers must smirk with glee at how handily they seduce the American consumer. “Americans are so gullible!” they must all be laughing in their cubicles. Fortunately for us, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is watching our backs. … Read more
Chronicling the downfall of the sweet potato.