As the pandemic has shown, those who are obese or managing diet-related illnesses including hypertension and diabetes are at an increased risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19. “Because of the stress of the moment and the fear, we were drawn to junky products we haven’t had since we were kids.” As a result, food companies saw sales shoot up.īut Moss believes that it is now more important than ever to break some of these habits. “We thought that was going to be a chance where we could at least get rid of the vending machines in our lives and get through that 3:00PM afternoon craving,” Moss tells Food Tank. As a result, it has become more challenging to discern healthy options from unhealthy ones.Īnd while many food experts and eaters hoped the COVID-19 pandemic would act as an opportunity to adopt better eating habits, Moss finds that the opposite has occurred. These companies responded by engaging in what Moss calls “health-washing” as they cut back on salt, sugar, and fat and added ingredients like protein and fiber. In the mid 2010s, Moss says, a growing number of consumers began calling for healthier options, which translated to a drop in sales for large food companies. Instead, he finds that a consumer’s ability to control their eating habits is heavily influenced by the chemical pathways that processed foods activate, which hook consumers.Īlthough the public has become increasingly concerned about the quality of these snacks and other packaged foods, companies have become adept at responding to consumers’ demands without sacrificing sales.

“I thought willpower was a big issue out there, until I did the research,” Moss tells Food Tank. Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions explores the science behind food cravings, how companies are responding to calls for healthier options, and ways that consumers can break free from their addiction to food. A new book by Michael Moss looks at the ways food companies manipulate consumers’ eating habits.

Books by michael moss