Objective The goal of this study was to examine the potential of an optimal‐defaults intervention to promote grocery purchases corresponding to a diet for diabetes. Methods In total, 65 adults diagnosed with or at increased risk for type 2 diabetes who grocery shopped at one of two study stores were randomized to one of three groups: Defaults, Online, or Control. All groups received diabetes‐friendly recipes. In addition, the Online group was asked to grocery shop online during a 3‐week intervention, and the Defaults group was asked to shop online, with their online grocery carts prefilled with food items needed to prepare provided recipes. Participants provided weekly grocery receipt data at baseline, at each week of the 3‐week intervention, and at post‐intervention. Results Overall, the Defaults group had grocery purchases of a significantly greater nutritional quality versus other groups (F = 16.3, p < 0.001). Between‐group comparisons of least‐squares means showed consistent effects of the Defaults intervention while intervention components were in place, with a similar pattern for energy and carbohydrate content of grocery purchases. Conclusions These results build upon emerging evidence that optimal defaults can promote healthier grocery purchases. Continued examination of this approach could promote healthy food acquisition in accordance with individual dietary preferences and needs.
Restaurants are regular eating environments for many families. Children’s consumption of restaurant foods has been linked with poorer diet quality, prompting emerging research examining strategies to encourage healthier eating among children in restaurants. Although taste is a primary determinant of restaurant meal choices, there is a lack of research considering children’s perspectives on the taste of different healthier kids’ meal options. The current study sought to examine, via objective taste testing, children’s liking of and preference for healthier kids’ meal options at a quick-service restaurant (QSR) and to describe bundled kids’ meals with evidence of both taste acceptability and consistency with nutrition guidelines. Thirty-seven 4-to-8-year-old children completed taste tests of ten healthier main and side dish options. Liking and preference were assessed using standard methods after children tasted each food. Children also reported their ideal kids’ meal. Results show the majority of children liked and preferred three main (turkey sandwich, chicken strips, peanut butter/banana sandwich) and side dishes (yogurt, applesauce, broccoli), with rank order differing slightly by age group. Accepted foods were combined into 11 bundles meeting nutritional criteria. Results highlight healthier kids’ meals with evidence of appeal among children in a QSR. Findings can inform future research and may increase the success of healthy eating interventions in these settings.
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