“People are stressed out and we’re in a mental health crisis in this country,” Harris said. “We know that we have a healthy product that can help. If you can reach for an apple instead of a bag of Cheetos, you’re going to feel better in your mood and physical well-being.”
As part of its Good Mood Food campaign, Honeybear Brands will be utilizing key in-store signage and digital assets that promote all aspects of health and wellness, as well as creating custom content on its social media channels and through teaming up with its network of influencers, one of which happens to be self-proclaimed “joyoligist” Tricia Huffman.
“I feel it is important to promote the Good Mood Food campaign because I find people are always making things harder than it needs to be and looking for big fixes, when really, looking at small, easeful, daily choices such as adding in good mood foods can make a big difference in how we feel and take care of ourselves as a whole,” Huffman said.
Honeybear Brands wanted to lean into the joy of eating healthy, nutritious food, which made Huffman a perfect fit for its Good Mood Food campaign.
“Nutritious foods don’t just serve our physical wellbeing and how we feel in our bodies, but it also affects how we feel in our minds,” Huffman said. “Apples are packed with antioxidants that fuel neurotransmitters in the brain, which boost mood. They also happen to be loaded with fiber and essential micronutrients, which promote optimal brain function.”
According to recent studies cited by The Washington Post, higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with feelings of relaxation, confidence and energy, and lower risks of developing depression.
“There is definitely growing evidence that high consumption of vegetables and fruits does help mental health, especially anxiety,” Uma Naidoo, a physician and director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in The Washington Post article.
Harris noted that more and more healthcare, insurance and grocery organizations are recognizing the intersection of food as preventative medicine.
“Fresh produce prescriptions, insurance rebate programs and the presence of knowledgeable dieticians on-site at your local store are helping to move consumers toward nutritious eating habits,” Harris said.
Harris hopes the Good Mood Food campaign helps consumers see that apples are not only good for diet and weight loss, but they also good for the soul.
“Eating an apple is an enhancement to being healthy,” she said. “It’s one more way we can try to mitigate some of the bad stuff that’s going on.”M
