Healthy Checkout Lines

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We have all caved to the candy bar starring at us during a long wait in the checkout line at the grocery store. Typically, checkout lanes contain candy and sugar filled beverages intended to be picked up on impulse. Their bright colored packaging jump out at us while we are waiting to pay. Supermarkets play into the behaviors of their costumers by specific placement of these items. About forty-six percent of impulse purchases are made in checkout lanes. A new trend making its way into stores is replacing the junk food in these checkout aisles with more nutritious and healthful food options. The trend has already started in some European countries, but there are plans from other US chains to begin implementation later this year.

In 2014, the United Kingdom started experimenting with healthy checkout lines. They have begun 100% candy free checkouts. One store saw a 20% increase in foot traffic in their candy free checkouts as compared to their traditional checkouts containing candy. Aldi, a European chain that has made its way to the United States has announced its plans to implement more healthy choices in checkout lanes. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has made a statement capturing 2017 as “the year of the healthy checkout.” Some healthy checkout lane food options include whole fresh fruits, precut fresh fruits/vegetables, dehydrated fruits, and nuts/seeds. Certain stores in Europe and in the US also offer registered dietitian's classes/sessions for customers. These are intended to help guide the customers to choose healthy options not only in the checkout lines, but throughout the entire store.

The Retail RD: Promoting Health in the Checkout Lane
By Barbra Ruhs, MS, RDN, LDN
Today's Dietitian Aug 2017 Issue
Vol. 19, No. 8, P. 10

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