“Happy Eating” and Food Addiction in American Advertising

Debbie Danowski

doi:10.5771/9781666939279

Summary

This book explores the addictive techniques used in advertisements for ultra-processed foods, which promise consequence-free eating to consumers while at the same time encouraging over-consumption of unhealthy food. Debbie Danowski presents an analysis of promotional techniques in the context of food addiction characteristics and behaviors through an exploration of the themes used in this type of advertising. These thematic messages include using food to rebel, to play, to relax, to achieve happiness, to replace exercise, to achieve good health, to increase intelligence, to show love, to bond with others, and to create environmental change. Ultimately, Danowski argues that these competing and contradictory messages have had long-term negative ramifications for American habits of consumption, both literally and figuratively. Scholars of communication, advertising, media studies, and food studies will find this book particularly useful.

For more information, check out this conversation between the author and Susan Branscome, host of Food Addiction: The Problem and The Solution.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2023
ISBN-Print: 978-1-66693-926-2
ISBN-Online: 978-1-6669-3927-9
Publisher: Lexington, Lanham
Language: English
Pages: 222
Product type: Book Titles

1. Acknowledgments No access
1. “Happy Eating” No access
2. “Mighty, Mighty Tigers” No access
1. The Ladies’ World, February 1912 No access
2. The Housewife, June 1914 No access
3. Media and Aggression No access
4. Food Advertising Effects No access
5. “Happy Eating” No access
6. Food Addiction No access
7. Ultra-Processed Foods No access
8. Methodology No access
1. “The Thing You Want” No access
2. “Better-for-You” Cereal No access
3. “Silly Whopper” No access
4. “Have It Your Way” No access
5. The Rebel Whopper No access
6. Rebellion and Modern Food Advertising No access
7. “Eat like You Mean It” No access
8. Restaurant Advertising and Obesity No access
1. “Food and Fun in a Box” No access
2. Play with Your Food No access
3. “Super Energy” No access
4. 1. “Brings Out the Tiger in You” No access
  2. “Let Your Great Out!” No access
  3. “Mission Tiger” No access
5. “The More You Eat, the More You Want” No access
6. Cracker Jill No access
7. “Animal Crackers in My Soup” No access
8. Poppin’ Fresh No access
9. “Eat It Raw” No access
10. Healthy Mascots No access
1. “You Deserve a Break Today” No access
2. Dove Ice Cream Shade No access
3. “He’ll Give You a Rest” No access
4. DOVE Ice Cream Cool-Down Kit No access
5. Comfort Food No access
6. “Help Yourself” No access
7. COVID Comfort Food No access
8. Quarantine 15 No access
9. “Time to Relax” No access
10. “Save Something for Yourself” No access
11. Images of Relaxation No access
1. “The Most Important Meal of the Day” No access
2. “Smile for Me” No access
3. “Smiling Tummies” No access
4. “Kool-Aid Smiles” No access
5. Promoting Happiness No access
6. Pretzel Crust Pizza No access
7. “The Crave for Candy” No access
8. Happy Mascots No access
1. Exercise Gone Wrong No access
2. “It’s Yoplaitime” No access
3. Health Halo No access
4. “Breakfast of Champions” No access
5. “Eating Exercises” No access
6. “High Protein. Low Sugar. Great Taste” No access
7. “Glorified Candy Bars?” No access
8. “Healthy Real Hydration” No access
1. “The Energy of Sunshine” No access
2. “Food Marketing Tricks” No access
3. “Real Stuff” No access
4. “All Natural” No access
5. “No Sugar Added” No access
6. “Adulting Sucks” No access
7. “Yes You Cran” No access
8. “Whole Wheat” No access
9. “Made with Smiles” No access
10. “Fat-Free/Reduced Fat” No access
11. “Half the Calories, Zero Fat” No access
12. Baked Lay’s and Supermodels No access
13. “To the Chip” No access
14. “Love Hurts” No access
15. “Real Fruit” No access
16. “Whole Bag Kinda Night” No access
17. Health by Association No access
18. “Vitamin Donuts” No access
19. “Pinch an Inch” No access
20. Unhealthy Portrayals of Health No access
1. “The Sweetest Story Ever Sold” No access
2. “Happy Eating Habit” No access
3. “Smart Sandwich-Makers” No access
4. “The Smart Club” No access
5. “When You Want It, You Gotta Have It” No access
6. “Swap Your Pop” No access
7. “Butter Just Got Better” No access
8. Is Smart Really Smart? No access
1. “The Thing to Do” No access
2. “A Woman Never Forgets the Man Who Remembers” No access
3. “Most Advertised Box of Chocolates in History” No access
4. “Made with Magic. Loved by Families.” No access
5. Limited-Edition Hearts No access
6. Candy Conversation Hearts No access
7. “I Love Bread” No access
8. “Fighting an Appetite Stimulant with Willpower” No access
1. “Eat, Laugh, and Share” No access
2. “A Taste of Welcome” No access
3. “Share a Coke with Friends” No access
4. “You Got Chocolate in My Peanut Butter” No access
5. “M&M’s Make Friends” No access
6. “Friends” and “A Coffee Shop Vibe” No access
7. “Just Crack an Egg” No access
1. “World’s Famous Candy” No access
2. “Nature at Its Most Delicious” No access
3. “Life Happens Out There” No access
4. “From Seed to Slice” No access
5. “Join the Climate Movement!” No access
6. “Global Shortage of Ice Cream” No access
7. “Measure Your Impact” No access
8. “We Can’t Just Take from Nature” No access
9. The Environmental Impact of Advertising No access
1. “Commercial Determents of Health” No access
2. “Real Food” Is the Solution No access
3. “Bite Back 2030” No access
4. “Food Addiction: The Problem and the Solution” No access
5. “Food Addiction: A New Substance Use Disorder?” No access
6. Media Literacy Education No access
References No access Pages 197 - 218
Index No access Pages 219 - 220
About the Author No access Pages 221 - 222