For the average person, being exposed to a multitude of colors is a part of daily life, and while many of us feel like we’ve become desensitized to these, we don’t realize that they still affect us at a psychological level. For instance, if you’re stressed out and you go for a nature walk, the green and brown colors will play a role in calming and relaxing your mind. Colors also play a role when it comes to the way we perceive and eat food, and here’s how:

Red Stimulates Hunger

Red stimulates the senses and boosts your appetite. It’s no coincidence that McDonald’s has a red-and-yellow color scheme and that KFC’s entire theme is red and white. Dine-in restaurant chains like the Cheesecake Factory use red in their décor to make you feel hungrier. 

Orange & Yellow Spread Fun & Joy

These light, bright colors make you feel happy and are associated with enjoyment. Fanta has put this to great use as has Carl’s Jr. with its signature yellow star. 

Blue Reduces Your Appetite

Some people believe that since blue is such an unnatural color when it comes to food and ingredients that it can be treated as an appetite suppressant. In fact, people may eat off blue plates to reduce their food consumption. 

Keep in mind that this doesn’t apply to candy and similar items, which are meant to appeal to children who are attracted to a range of colors and will happily snack on a bag of bright blue gummies or other treats. 

Some brands may be very smart with the use of blue and may use it to advertise low calorie or diet foods. 

Green & Similar Tones are Associated with Healthy Food 

”Eat Fresh.” That’s what Subway wants you to believe that you’re getting fresh, healthy food full of natural, nutritious ingredients. And it’s gaining your trust by using plenty of green in its advertising to make you feel that you are having something healthy to eat. 

Endnote 

Chocolate brands such as Hershey’s and Godiva rely on brown packaging because you instantly think of rich, luxurious chocolate inside before even tasting it. Different food brands, particularly packaged food and fast food chains, use color psychology to find out what will motivate us to buy and consume their products repeatedly.