Nudging by Default or Boosting by Informational Disclosures on Healthy Food Choices: Experimental Comparison in the Context of a Created Online Supermarket App.

This article examines the effectiveness of two behavioural interventions—nudging by default and informational boosting—in increasing healthy food choices within an online supermarket simulation. The study found that nudging by default, which presents a pre-selected cart of healthy products that participants can accept or modify, significantly increased the selection of healthy foods, especially among individuals who prioritize taste or price over health. In contrast, informational boosting, which provides nutritional information to empower decision-making, did not produce a significant short-term change in food choices. These findings suggest that default nudges may be more immediately effective for promoting healthier eating behaviours, while informational boosts might require longer-term strategies or refinement. The study highlights the importance of tailoring public health interventions to consumer priorities and supports the potential integration of behavioural science techniques in addressing obesity.