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Permalink Reply by AliciaLove on May 17, 2010 at 1:03pm

My local NPR did a piece a few days ago about the "American Impulse" and how consumerism and merchandising leads to weight gain and diet failure among Americans more than any other people of any other nation.

They talked about how impulse spending and marketing have become such a huge part of the standard Merchandising model and how it relates to food. More and more retailers (and other outlets and venues) are recognizing the demand for healthy and organic products and are posturing those items strategically in accordance to their sales and traffic flows. While these foods might be better healthwise than their counterparts, most of them are still unnecessary

I was in a Borders today. While checking out I noticed a stand of goodies in front of me. I grabbed a Luna Bar bought it with my book and started munching it on the way out the door. This is an example of their point, illustrated in full color. Now although the Luna Bar probably wasn't BAD for me, I sure as heck didn't NEED to buy it or EAT it. I totally fell for the trap.

And Lots of people do. Borders got $3 out of me and I just got a bunch of useless (but tasty)calories.

A woman on the NPR program was testifying about her solution to the problem. Take calories and carbs and fats out of the equation for a minute and start with a budget of dollars and cents. Take only what you need with you when you go out places. If you go to the movies, take $12 bucks with you instead of a 20. That'll stop you from grabbing snacks that you don't need (even if they're good for you). If you gotta run to the store for milk. Don't take your debit card take 3 bucks, get the milk and get outta there.

While that obviously isn't a comprehensive weight loss plan, I just thought It was interesting to think about. Because more and more places we go, are selling food, where food shouldn't be, simply because they know it will sell (i.e. Home Depot, staples, wtf). And because we're an impulse driven people, we'll buy it, eat it, throw the wrapper away, and just forget about it while its doing its dirty work on thighs and rumps *sigh*

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