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Children Quote by Anthony Bourdain

“So, when I read of a recent study that found that children are significantly more inclined to eat “difficult” foods like liver, spinach, broccoli—and other such hard-to-sell “but-it’s-good-for-you” classics—when they are wrapped in comfortingly bright packages from McDonald’s, I was at first…” quote by Anthony Bourdain
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““So, when I read of a recent study that found that children are significantly more inclined to eat “difficult” foods like liver, spinach, broccoli—and other such hard-to-sell “but-it’s-good-for-you” classics—when they are wrapped in comfortingly bright packages from McDonald’s, I was at first appalled, and then … inspired. Rather than trying to co-opt Ronald’s all-too-effective credibility among children to short-term positive ends, like getting my daughter to eat the occasional serving of spinach, I could reverse-engineer this! Use the strange and terrible powers of the Golden Arches for good—not evil! I plan to dip something decidedly unpleasant in an enticing chocolate coating and then wrap it carefully in McDonald’s wrapping paper. Nothing dangerous, mind you, but something that a two-and-a-half-year-old will find “yucky!”—even upsetting—in the extreme. Maybe a sponge soaked with vinegar. A tuft of hair. A Barbie head. I will then place it inside the familiar cardboard box and leave it—as if forgotten—somewhere for my daughter to find. I might even warn her, “If you see any of that nasty McDonald’s … make sure you don’t eat it!” I’ll say, before leaving her to it. “Daddy was stupid and got some chocolate … and now he’s lost it…” I might mutter audibly to myself before taking a long stroll to the laundry room. An early, traumatic, Ronald-related experience can only be good for her.””

Anthony Bourdain

About This Quote

Source Interview: Anthony Bourdain on Food Experiments, 2015

The speaker proposes using familiar branding to make children confront unpleasant foods, hoping a negative association will deter future consumption of unhealthy items.

In simple terms: Using McDonald’s packaging to make kids dislike bad foods.

Key Takeaway

Create a negative experience with an undesirable item in familiar packaging.

Themes

psychology branding parenting food perception

Mood

conflicted thoughtful

Type

ethical psychological

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • food marketing
  • child nutrition
  • brand influence

Key Concepts

conditioning negative reinforcement consumer behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it ethical to manipulate a child's fear for health benefits?
  • How might this affect the child's relationship with food?
A Different Perspective

The tactic may cause fear or distrust of brands, harming trust and leading to unintended anxiety.

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