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How many small plots of food packaging do you know?
In today's world, we live in a packaging-driven era. From snacks on store shelves to the treats we grab on the go, everything is carefully wrapped. While most of us may not think much about packaging, the food industry invests heavily in research to make sure that we keep eating—because their goal is simple: to keep our mouths busy and our hands full.
One of the most striking examples of this strategy is the oversized popcorn bucket found in movie theaters. These large containers look intimidating, and many people feel overwhelmed by the sheer size before the movie even starts. However, by the time the film ends, they often find themselves finishing the entire bucket. This phenomenon is known as "unit bias"—people tend to finish what’s in front of them, regardless of how much they actually want or need.
A study conducted by Cornell University tested this theory by giving moviegoers popcorn in either large buckets or smaller bowls. The results were clear: those with larger buckets ate 30% more popcorn than those with smaller ones, even though they all claimed it wasn’t very tasty. When fresh popcorn was used, the same pattern emerged—people with larger containers ate more.
This suggests that movie theaters intentionally use big buckets to encourage overeating. After all, when you're absorbed in a movie, you're less likely to notice how much you're actually consuming.
But the packaging tricks don't stop at popcorn. Some companies have also designed packages that subtly encourage overconsumption. For instance, a candy company discovered that people often got annoyed while eating traditional wrapped candies, which could reduce their enjoyment. To solve this, they introduced sugar-free candy in ziplock bags. This allowed consumers to easily open the bag, take out a few pieces, and reseal it without any hassle.
The result? Sales of the ziplock-bagged candy increased by 14% in one year, compared to just 4% for regular wrapped candy. The convenience of the zipper made people eat more, and also gave them a sense of longer shelf life.
So, if you're looking to avoid these hidden tricks, one effective strategy is to create your own obstacles. For example, choose foods that come in difficult-to-open packaging, like candy wrapped in paper. Each time you want another piece, you have to peel back the wrapper, which can be enough to make you reconsider. Small packages also work similarly—each time you open a new one, it acts as a mental reminder that you’re eating, helping you stop sooner.
Even small signals can influence our eating habits. In a recent experiment, students were given potato chip bags. Some had a red chip mixed in every few pieces, while others didn’t. Those who found the red chips ate nearly half as much as those who didn’t. The presence of the red chip acted as a visual cue, signaling the brain to slow down or stop.
Next time you're at the store, consider this: Are you choosing a package that makes it easy to eat more, or one that gives you a moment to pause and think? Sometimes, the way food is packaged can have a bigger impact on your habits than you realize.