While we knew some details about the product development that goes into creating crispier, more satisfying snack foods and making some cold breakfast cereals have a shorter bowl life (soggy sooner like Life cereal) versus a longer bowl life (a la Captain Crunch) when NBN read the excerpt from Pultizer Prize winning author Michael Moss’ new book, Salt, Sugar Fat, we were breathless. The pages hadn’t turned that fast since reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Check out the New York Times piece here. While we’ve yet to finish reading the book we’ve listened to the interview on NPR’s Fresh Air twice. We’re still breathless.
Once we finish the book we’ll get back to posting more and possibly reconsider our torrid love affair with Lundberg Brown Rice Chips. We know they’re nothing like Doritos but healthy as they might be, a 6 ounce bag of any snack food shouldn’t be eaten in one serving, especially when one’s waistline has a tendency to look like a little Buddha’s belly.
One of the remarkably consistent things that emerges in any analysis of consumer demographic market research over the last decade is the absolute disconnect between people’s responses stating that they are eating healthier and the equally consistent upward trend in rates of obesity and diabetes. While no one has yet seen a gun pointing out from those bags of Doritos in the chip aisle saying “eat me or die,” Moss illustrates that the dynamic between coercion and free choice is startling complex.
Note: Edited June 14, 2017 (yes Donald J. Trump’s birthday…ugh) to correct several errors in tense. Previously the story stated While we’ve yet to read the book instead of While we’ve yet of yet to finish reading the book.