So what’s the plan? Change
up the names of your food dishes this holiday season with something
that gets people’s attention. Start by using more descriptive words.
That way it leads people to think it’s tastier BEFORE they even try it.
You can always
trick your family into eating healthier. Because most reactions to food
come from our mind not our mouth, AND we have the ability to trick our
minds. If we think a specific food is going to be delicious, we are much
more likely to enjoy it!
Here is a great
example: ”Consider two pieces of day-old chocolate cake. If one is
named “chocolate cake,” and the other is named “Belgian Black Forest
Double Chocolate Cake,” people will buy the second. What is especially
interesting is that after trying it, people will rate the Belgian cake
as tasting better than an identical piece of plain old cake.” 1
Knowing how to
tease your family’s taste buds into liking the food you make with only a
few words on a piece of paper can be a big deal if you’re trying to get
your family away from the holiday cheese ball or chip bowls…
”This name game
is called “confirmation bias,” meaning that if you say something is
juicy, people almost unconsciously turn up their “juicy sensors” when
they taste the food. Once their taste
sensors are activated, people become pre-programmed to think a dish tastes good.”2
So here are some examples of words you could add to your meals:
Meats and Fish:
Succulent Italian Seafood Filet instead of Grilled Fish Filet
Authentic Spicy Jamaican Chicken instead of Spiced chicken
Juicy Bourbon Steak instead of Marinated Steak
Veggies/Fruits:
Succulent Spring Picked Beans instead of Simple Green beans
Cajun Red Beans with Rice instead of Beans & Rice (Phase 4)
Amazing fruit fury bliss instead of fruit salad (Phase 4)
Here is a mini list of words to help hype up your dish this holiday season:
finger-licking, tongue-smacking, delicious, tasty, tempting,
alluring, bitter, sour, sweet, honeyed, prickly, sugary, mouth-watering,
delectable, heavenly, savory, toothsome, divine, inviting, tantalizing,
luscious, enticing, appealing, attractive, vinegary, appetizing,
scrumptious, enjoyable, delightful, pleasing, satisfying, yummy, fit for
a king, lovely, tangy, flavourful, juicy, succulent, flavorsome, rich,
sugar-coated, syrupy, candied, spicy, peppery, piquant, thirst
quenching, moist, ripe, salty, zesty