Consumer Awareness

We live in a world saturated by marketing. It surrounds us constantly a universe of pleasures and promises that often fall far short of meeting consumer expectations. We like to think we know the cost of things, but we often fail to see that we’re caught in a carefully crafted web of consumption.

Let’s take a simple example: going to the movies. The ticket price seems reasonable, but it’s really just a hook. Once inside, we’re welcomed by a brightly lit concession stand, perfectly arranged to capture our attention. We order a medium popcorn, and the staff immediately offers a promo: “For just a few pesos more, you can upgrade to a large.” This is where the power of the deal takes over our decision-making.

We accept, and now we’re holding a massive tub of popcorn filled with salt, butter, and oil. That amount of salt will obviously make us thirsty just like how our mouths water at the sight of a lemon. This is where digestion actually begins, with salivation. Then comes the next offer: “Would you like a jumbo soda for just a bit more?” And finally, the third: “Why not get the full combo with nachos and chocolate?”

And just like that, we fall into the trap. It’s a setup that feeds directly into the problem of obesity. While we're focused on the movie, we lose awareness of how much we’re eating. That’s why one of the best tips is: don’t watch TV or use your phone while eating. Distraction makes it hard to gauge your food intake, and eating mindfully helps you stay in control.

Another issue people rarely stop to think about is the rise and fall of so-called miracle products. These items always start with a marketing boom, only to disappear soon after. Remember the famous "artichoke" pills that were once sold in every major store? Where are they now?

Today, it’s all about chia seeds. They’ve been around forever, but now they come in fancy packaging, labeled “organic,” and priced 100 times higher. The same product just rebranded and re-marketed.

It’s an insult to human reasoning when health products are exploited this way. Unfortunately, even some healthcare professionals now promote these items through multi-level marketing schemes, caring little about the risks to their patients' health.

This isn’t about attacking companies or professionals it's about raising awareness. Because when you do your job well, ethically and responsibly, the results and the income follow naturally.