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By Matthew Rees

Food and Health Fact #118: How humans make food decisions

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This week's "food for thought" excerpt comes from Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices (2021), by Jack A. Bobo.

"Our willpower and the limits of our bank account balance keep our desires in check for the most part. But not, it seems, when it comes to food choices. . . . Food decisions are different from most other decisions we make. Food choices tend to force trade-offs between immediate benefits, like a tasty dessert, and future costs. Unhealthy options promise instant gratification and they always deliver. Many potential costs are uncertain and, at any rate, are generally far into the future. For health options, the situation is reversed. The soul-crushing cost of selecting a depressing kale salad lunch is certain and immediate (sorry, kale lovers), but the many splendid, potential health benefits are uncertain and well into the nebulous future. On the other hand, buying a mega bucket of movie popcorn drenched in buttery goodness is guaranteed to enhance my movie-going experience, whereas the weight gain and health problems associated with that bottomless bucket of popcorn are uncertain and far in the future. It's easy to rationalized our overconsumption by telling ourselves that we don't go to the movies everyday, so we deserve to treat ourselves when we do."