Member-only story
Psychologist Alia Crum wanted to know if what we believed about food changed its effects once we ate it.
So she made a milkshake.
An unhealthy, sugar-laden, high-fat, delicious milkshake.
Next, Dr. Crum organized two groups of people and had them both drink the shake. But she only told one group the truth about what they were consuming.
As for the other group, well, she told them it was a healthy milkshake, light on sugar, and low in fat.
Both groups responded differently.
The group who were told the shake was healthy responded as if they had fewer calories. They weren’t satisfied. They wanted more.
Whereas the group who knew the awful truth felt as if they had indulged. And we’re willing to get back on track.
What does this mean exactly?
Well, probably a lot of things. But at the very least, it means we’re far better off labeling some foods as bad. And then eating them anyway.
But that isn’t what we do, is it? We try and make every plate permissible. To have our cake and eat it too.
We call these mental gymnastics healthy when it appears that it’s the exact opposite attitude needed to progress.
Simply put, some food is bad. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have it. Instead, it means we’ll benefit more by being honest, eating it anyway, and moving on, satisfied.
