The Art of the “Nudge”

Topics: Cafeteria a la Carte Lines, Healthy Snacks & Beverages

We all need a nudge sometimes, that extra push to help us do something different. Well, kids are no different, and at a recent meeting of the Maryland Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition I learned about using “nudges” to encourage healthier food and beverage choices at school. It’s a simple concept, but one that struck me as such a great idea that I had to share it with you.

First, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is a nudge? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to nudge is “to prod lightly, to urge into action.” In schools, a nudge is an action that shapes the school environment to encourage students to make healthier choices. These actions can be subtle, like putting fruit into an attractive bowl at eye level, or more obvious like implementing a recess before lunch policy.

To learn more about nudges and get more ideas to share, I read through the ReFresh Toolkit from the Maryland State Department of Education and University of Maryland Extension Service. This excellent resource has pages of ideas, a planning checklist, and evaluation tools.

Some of my favorite tips from the Toolkit are:

Place healthy items at the beginning of the cafeteria service line and near the cash register (studies show that items in these two places are chosen more often).
Partner with the art department to develop a student art assignment that emphasizes healthy foods and hang the art in the cafeteria and throughout the school.
Find out the favorite foods or teachers or school staff and label them as such when served in the line. If a student knows that string beans are Mrs. K’s favorite veggie (and maybe see her eating them too!), they may be more apt to give them a try.
Make healthy fruit and veggie offerings the default side dish and make less healthy items available only by request. Kids are likely to take what’s offered to them, instead of asking for something that is not on display.
Invite a guest server to work the cafeteria line to increase interest in healthy lunch options. A local athlete, chef, or even the town mayor may be interested in coming in to serve and chat with students about trying new healthy foods.

What ideas do you have for nudges? Share them with us on twitter using hashtag #healthynudge.

If you’re interested in learning more, the entire ReFresh Toolkit is available for free download at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/Maryland/ReFresh.pdf.