Author: Rosanne Rust, MS, RDN

Have you ever walked through a buffet line where the salad or roasted vegetables were displayed first, and desserts last? Maybe a grocery store entrance caught your eye with a bright display of soda and snack items? If so, you’ve already experienced “nudging”—a principle of choice architecture—without even realizing it.

Food brings people together, but what are the long-term benefits of that togetherness? Today’s Dietitian examines the latest evidence regarding food, socialization, and mental well-being throughout the lifespan.