365 Changes

The Compensation Effect

Written by

Craig Constantine

in

Health halos create permission to eat more. Research by Schuldt shows people judged organic Oreos as lower-calorie than identical conventional ones—and felt more justified skipping exercise after eating them. When food is labeled healthy, organic, or low-fat, people unconsciously eat larger portions. “Healthy” choices often lead to consuming more total calories than straightforward indulgence. This companion covers the health halo effect, the research, why it happens, and practical implications for awareness. (3 min read)

One thought like this, every morning.

You don’t need more information about eating. You need the right idea to show up at the right time — before hunger, before decisions, before habits kick in.

Every morning, 365 Changes sends you one. Not a meal plan. Not a rule. Just a question or idea to sit with while you make coffee. Each one is simple, but they accumulate — and slowly, the way you think about eating starts to shift.

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There’s more to read here — a companion essay that goes deeper into this topic. It might explore why willpower fades by evening, how your kitchen layout shapes what you eat, or what it really means to become someone who simply eats well. Each one takes a few minutes and leaves you thinking.

There are 84 of them across five areas — identity, environment, knowledge, decisions, and troubleshooting — and a Reader membership unlocks them all.

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