While introducing the new healthy foods display in the gym, the question and answer session veered towards different ways food manufacturers may entice people to buy their foods. Students were very surprised to hear that bright colors, celebrity endorsements, and cartoon characters are used to sell the food. As one student asked, “why don’t they just sell food that is good for us?” This naiveté emphasizes that it is never too early to teach kids how to identify and not be taken in by marketing traps, particularly in regards to food. Point out to your child, while grocery shopping or while watching TV commercials, the marketing techniques being used, such as the use of fun shapes or cartoon characters. Encourage them to look beyond these gimmicks to decide whether or not the food is a healthy and desirable choice.
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