The Big Food Lie: How the Anchoring Effect Is Destroying Our Health and What We Can Do About It

In the treacherous world of marketing ploys and illusions, it's no surprise that our perception of food has been warped by the sheer volume of the products we consume. The modern food industry has morphed into a battlefield where consumers are caught in the crossfire between power-hungry celebrities, diet charlatans, food companies, and overzealous food writers. This struggle for our attention and wallets has led to a distorted understanding of food, in which we measure value by volume rather than by the actual nutrition and health benefits it provides.

The "anchoring effect," a potent psychological phenomenon, manipulates our decision-making process by causing our brains to rely heavily on the first piece of information or "anchor" we receive when making judgments or decisions. This effect runs rampant in the food industry, where the mantra "bigger is better" often prevails. From oversized packaging to colossal restaurant portions, we've been conditioned to believe that more on the plate equates to quality and value. But is that the truth?

Let's draw a parallel to the Titanic, which was once the largest and most luxurious ship in the world. It represented grandeur and opulence, yet its size did not guarantee its safety or success. The Titanic's tragic end is a stark reminder that bigger isn't always better, and that size can be a deceptive indicator of quality.

Similarly, our fixation on the size of our food has led us down a perilous path. The belief that larger portions equal better value has contributed to the widespread consumption of low-nutrient foods, such as sugary soda, lettuce, and white bread. While these volumetric fluffs may appear filling initially, they offer little in the way of essential nutrients. Moreover, some high-volume foods, like sugar-laden lattes and sodas, can even contribute to obesity.

Conversely, we have calorie-dense foods like oils, dressings, and syrups, which pack a massive amount of energy into a small volume. A tablespoon of oil indeed contains more energy than a large bowl of leafy greens, but chugging down oil on its own would only lead to obesity and chronic health conditions due to its low satiety value. This dilemma is akin to choosing between a large SUV or a compact car for daily commutes; each vehicle serves a specific purpose, and making a decision based solely on size would be unwise.

Historically, people didn't have access to the vast array of food options available today. They relied on locally available, nutrient-dense foods for sustenance. Our ancestors didn't have the curse of succumbing to the anchoring effect; their primary concern was survival and nourishment. We can learn from their utopian simplicity and, despite the complexity of the science behind the structure of food, can apply it to our modern context.

In the digital Information Age, we are bombarded with images of colossal, mouth-watering meals on social media, and massive restaurant meals, further perpetuating the size-based food culture. However, it's crucial to remember that our bodies don't need excessive volume; they need the right nutrients to thrive. We must challenge the status quo and advocate for a shift in a consumer mindset that prioritizes quality over quantity.

To escape the clutches of the anchoring effect and embrace a modern and healthy paradigm of eating, we must shift our focus from mere volume to understanding food structures, concentrating on the quality rather than the quantity of food. Smart consumerism requires us to prioritize nutrient-dense foods over the deceptive size of food products. We must educate ourselves on the essential nutrients our bodies need and make informed decisions about what we put in our bodies.

In conclusion, we need to recognize the anchoring effect in our food choices and resist the temptation to equate size with value. By focusing on the nutritional content of our meals, we can make healthier decisions and pave the way for a more informed, health-conscious society. Let's strive for a future where our food choices are guided by knowledge and reason, rather than deceptive marketing tactics and societal pressure. Together, we can break free from the anchoring effect and create a world where health and nutrition take precedence over empty, superficial volume.

Check out our experiment we did with dehydrating a large bowl of salad, frozen meal and deli sandwich. Meanwhile, go grab an Energy Pod and help usher in better foods for a better future. Our goal is eventually have our own lab where we can understand and create better foods.