New research reveals you’re more likely to develop healthier eating habits through reading positive health messages.

We see health messages and warnings everywhere: Magazine ads, commercials, not to mention articles (you know, like this one). They range from downright terrifying, like cigarette warnings that could easily inspire a horror movie, to bright and cheery, like Kelly Ripa telling you to brush with Colgate—and when it comes to improving your eating habits, you’re more likely to follow through when those messages are positive or gain-framed, say researchers.

A recent study from Cornell Food & Brand Lab analyzed 63 nutrition education studies to determine who is more likely to be impacted by positive versus negative health messages, and why. They found while evoking fear may seem like a good way to get your point across, the opposite is true: Telling the public a behavior will help them be healthier and happier is more effective than trying to scare them into healthier habits.

The majority of health messages today (in other words, the negative ones) impact health care professionals more than the general public—but why? According to Brian Wansink, Ph.D., Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, there are a few reasons:

1. We aren’t as involved in the issue
When you’re super-knowledgeable about healthy eating habits – like say, you’re a nutritionist – you’ll be more motivated by a negative- or loss-based message. The general public may not have that deep-rooted passion for the cause like a professional does, and therefore may respond better to messages that provide clear, actionable steps that leave them feeling motivated.

2. We prefer a positive outcome (obvi)
Of course we prefer a positive outcome—who wants to spend their day waiting for an anvil to fall on their head? Why would we strive for a future at all if it wasn’t a better one? We’re not about burying our heads in the sand though: Researchers found when a positive outcome is a sure thing, gain-framed messages are best (such as “you’ll live 5 years longer if you exercise more”), but loss-framed messages work best when a negative outcome is certain (such as “sitting will kill you“).

3. We thrive on facts and certainty
“When claims appear factual and convincing, positive messages tend to work best,” Wansink said in a statement. “If a person believes that eating soy will extend their life by reducing their risk of heart disease, a positive message stating this is best.” If they’re not as convinced, that’s when a negative message (such as “people who don’t eat soy have a higher rate of heart disease”) will have more impact.

As someone who sucks at the whole healthy eating habits thing, I can honestly say I’m more pumped to eat a carrot when I’m told about the wonderful things carrots do for my body, as opposed to being told how not eating them will make my eyes fall out.

So when you’re in need of some added motivation to improve your eating habits or hop on that treadmill, seek out articles or clips on the positive impact these changes will have on your life and you’ll be more likely to stick to them. You don’t need to terrify yourself into doing anything: That’s what CNN is for.

How are you improving your eating habits?

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There are so many ways to eat healthy that are good for both your body and the planet. It’s nice when they overlap, no?

I know, you’re probably well aware that Big Macs are out and cauliflower is in. But there are even more ways to eat healthy that make a big difference for the planet.

Climate change or global warming – or whatever you want to call it – doesn’t have to be the end of humanity. Dinosaurs got millions of years of roaming. Humans can do better than digging up their sooty remains and polluting ourselves right out of existence in just a few thousand, amiright?

But that means we have to make some changes. And in case you haven’t heard, our current food system is wreaking havoc on the environment. So give these healthy eating tips a try and see if you can’t help make the planet more hospitable for a few more centuries at least.

1. Chew slower: The slower we chew the less we overeat. Why this matters for the planet is because it can help us reduce our food waste by piling less on our plate and overeating.

2. Eat more plants: It may seem counterintuitive to eat more of the stuff that produces oxygen and sucks in carbon dioxide, but yes, you should eat more plants and lots of them, especially when it comes to your protein. Plant-based protein is significantly better for the soil (especially lentils!). The fewer animals you consume, the better too. Methane from cows and other livestock animals contributes more greenhouse gases than cars.

3. Eat local: Speaking of which, cars, trucks, boats, trains and airplanes that transport your food kind of suck, too. Bananas and grapes may taste delicious, but maybe make them an occasional treat instead of morning staples. Local foods reduce the fossil fuels needed in transportation, not to mention they’re fresher, keep money in your community and taste so much better.

4. Buy fewer processed foods: Look, I know frozen pizza is delicious. But trust me, it’s not doing your hips or your home planet any good. Think about it: there’s the ingredients being sourced from who-knows-where, then there’s the production in a factory, the freezing, the shipping, the freezing again, the box, the plastic… it’s enough to make anyone need a breath of fresh air, which we’re limiting with our processed food obsession.

5. Avoid GMOs: There are no mandatory labeling laws in the U.S. yet, so that makes avoiding GMOs sorta kinda difficult. But there are a few simple steps that can help: buy organic, look for Non-GMO Project verified food and avoid the processed foods mentioned above. GMOs are pesticide and herbicide intensive, which is bad for the soil, water and air, not to mention our pollinator friends who are having a really difficult time with all those chemicals.

6. Grow more food: You do your body and the earth a world of good when you have food growing right on your property. Whether it’s just some sprouted nuts, beans and seeds, or you’ve got a flourishing vegetable garden, home-grown food is just about as good as it gets.

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Blueberries image via Shutterstock

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