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In sight, in mouth

Posted on Feb 6th 2008 12:00PM by Tanya Ryno

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

A Cornell University study has found that people eat more than twice as much candy when it's in a clear container compared to when it's in opaque containers, and even more when the containers are within reaching distance instead of a few steps away.

With that in mind, I thought this might work for fruits and vegetables. In other words, I thought that what makes the close and open candy dish nutritionally dangerous might just bring the fruit bowl back in vogue.

It stands to reason that you will eat more fruits and vegetables in an open and close container for the same reasons you were eating more candy.

12 Comment

Tags: candy dish, CandyDish, fruit, fruit bowl, FruitBowl, healthy habits, HealthyHabits, nutrition

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Diane 2-06-2008 @ 2:52PM

It works. I discovered some time back that if, instead of leaving fruit out of sight in the refrigerator bin I put it in a glass bowl on the most accessible shelf, in full view as soon as the door was opened, my kids would soon empty out the bowl.

I also found that if I had fruit that needed to be cleaned or deseeded I could fill the bowl with, for example, a cantaloupe that had been peeled, seeded, and cut into handy pieces, and it would all vanish in no time.

Tanya Ryno 2-06-2008 @ 6:42PM

Hi Diane,

You're definitely right about this working for the kids ... if I leave fruit out somewhere in my kitchen, I notice that my kids choose to eat the fruit on their own before asking for a sweet snack.

And when I have no fruit in the house, they hound me for cookies and/or candy!

rick 2-06-2008 @ 3:31PM

It's also useful to have fruit washed and cut up, to make it as easy as the junk food. (grapes, trimmed strawberries, peeled and sectioned oranges, etc.)

Sarah 2-06-2008 @ 3:58PM

I walk right past my highly visible and accessible fruit basket every day as I travel to the opposite side of the house, open the fridge, find the very-much-not-see-through bag of chocolate, and take out a couple of squares for a snack. For me, accessibility and visibility are not the issue. I just LOVE my chocolate!

But I do agree with rick. I also keep a huge bowl of fruit salad in my refrigerator (in a clear bowl, no less), and I eat a bowl of it every day. You can't beat the taste of fresh fruit... pineapple, melon, strawberries, blueberries, etc. And it's really easy to throw that fruit into the blender with some plain yogurt and a spoonful of splenda for a delicious smoothie (add some frozen fruit to make it icy).

barbara 2-06-2008 @ 4:10PM

Keep a clear bowl of cut up veggies in the frig. The same can be done with cut up fruits. Make sort of a compote. It works better for a single person household.

Mary 2-06-2008 @ 4:46PM

Don't forget to hide the candy! Out of sight, out of mind doesn't always apply though. If your craving chocolate or some other sweet I think it's better to satisfy that craving (in moderation, of course) than to eat 12 oranges and still crave the chocolate. I love chocolate, too!

tessa 2-06-2008 @ 4:56PM

I have a better solution that works for me....don't store candy in your house at all. I find that if I have it in either an opaque container or a clear container, I know I have it and I go after it. I was an obese kid and I do all that I can to keep the weight off...and it is a battle every day. If I have company and need to have fattening treats... I buy it before they get there and toss it when they leave.

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mike n 2-06-2008 @ 7:02PM

such weak minds out there. have to eat everything in sight.

vicki sestok 2-08-2008 @ 1:59PM

so your perfect and don't need help with anything

Kay 2-06-2008 @ 7:43PM

You must be kidding..... opaque bowls? clear bowls? My kids ate everything in sight, just like a plague of locusts! I did not matter if I spent $50 at the store or $500, the food was gone before it had a chance to age and that includes green bananas!

Judy 2-06-2008 @ 11:54PM

I've been trying to leave bags of carrots or other veggies out where I can grab one as I walk past. We eat plenty of fruit, but we aren't so great about veggies, so I do what I can.

And on hiding candy: We'd bought some M&Ms, but my sons kept asking for them and climbing into dangerous places to try to get them. So my husband hid them. And then couldn't remember where. Worked great - don't know when we'll find that container of M&Ms. (We've since bought more. :O )

LisaLo 2-07-2008 @ 8:10AM

I agree with Tessa, keep candy out of the house. I love to have fruit around, keep apples and oranges on the table ( looks good too) I keep grapes washed and in bowls in the fridge and keep clementines around always in season ( easy to peal and eat on the go). I also take great supplements from http://www.losemyweight2008.com to keep me healthy and to keep my weight off. One of the supplements helped me to lose 22 pounds in 3 months and keep it off!