Grocery Shopping between 4 and 7 pm Results in Higher Calorie Purchases

Study shows a higher ratio of high-calorie foods to low-calorie foods were purchased between 4pm and 7pm compared to 1pm and 4pm….

Research by Aner Tal and Brian Wansink from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York has shown that people who hadn’t eaten all afternoon prior to shopping in a simulated supermarket chose more high-calorie foods than those who were given a snack prior to shopping.

Tal and Wansink conducted a laboratory study and a field study. In the laboratory study, 68 paid participants between the ages of 18 and 62, with 71% being female, were asked to avoid eating 5 hours prior to the study. At random, half of the subjects present received a plate of Wheat Thins and were instructed to eat enough until they no longer felt hungry. Participants were then asked to shop on a stimulated online grocery store which offered a mix of low-calorie (fruits, vegetables, chicken) and high-calorie (candy, salty snacks, red meat) foods. Prices were not shown. Hungry condition and satiety condition patients both on average bought eight low calorie items. However, hungry participants bought an additional six higher calorie items compared to only four purchased by those who had recently been given a snack.

In the follow up field study, 82 participants had their grocery store purchases tracked at differing times of the day. Those shopping between 4pm and 7pm (a presumed hungrier group of individuals) demonstrated a higher ratio of high calorie foods to low calorie foods when compared to the group shopping between 1pm and 4pm.

This study parallels beliefs of the general population, and may provide insight into better shopping habits for those struggling with obesity or food insecurity. Tal suggested that one possible solution is for people to have a snack, such as a piece of fruit, before going grocery shopping. Other suggestions include shopping earlier and chewing gum while shopping.

JAMA Intern Med. 2013;():1-2. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.650.