Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are looking for new ways to help consumers with their health goals by testing a conscious calorie menu that uses traffic lights to represent food's nutritional value.
As traffic lights are universally known symbols for most people, the inclusion of them next to descriptions of food is an effective way of getting consumers to think about what they're ordering from a different perspective. A green light represents low calorie food, yellow is anything in the middle and red equates to high calorie options.
Using pictures of traffic lights works similarly to other calorie menus that list the numeric values of each item, however the use of images makes it slightly more simple. As some can become obsessed with counting calories once they get started, getting rid of exact numbers can take away some of that stress while still leading to the same results.
Healthy Eating Stoplights
These Calorie Menus Symbolize the Good and Bad with Traffic Lights
Trend Themes
1. Traffic Light Menus - Restaurants and food companies can utilize traffic light symbols to display food's nutritional content and make it easier for consumers to make healthier choices.
2. Simplification of Calorie Counting - Replacing numeric values with symbols can reduce the stress associated with counting calories and provide an opportunity for innovative presentation of food choices for consumers.
3. Healthier Menu Options - The use of traffic light symbols on menus can encourage restaurants to offer more balanced, low-calorie options to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant - Restaurants could incorporate traffic light symbols on their menus to promote healthier eating habits and differentiate themselves from competitors.
2. Fast Food - Fast food chains with traditionally unhealthy food options could utilize traffic light symbols to offer healthier alternatives and improve their public image.
3. Food Packaging - Food manufacturers could use traffic light symbols to display the nutritional content of their products, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices about what they eat.