Examining the relationship between knowing and doing: training for improving food choices.

Food is essential for maintaining human life; however, our food choices can have negative impacts on the health of our bodies and our planet. For example, obesity and diet-related diseases are increasing at alarming rates. In addition, agricultural chemicals are detectable in many rivers and streams, contaminating drinking water. Thus, understanding what factors contribute to food choices is essential for those interested in social change. This article reviews some principles of learning and memory and how applications of those principles contribute to our understanding of food choices. Experiments that examine different ways to promote learning, retention, and generalization of knowledge, specifically focused on ways to enhance learning of nutritional information and food choices, are also reviewed. The practical applications of this research to training, health, and public policy are also discussed.