Prompting one low-fat, high-fiber selection in a fast-food restaurant.

The team placed small signs and fliers inside fast-food stores. The signs said "Try our salad."

They used an A-B-A-B design. Signs went up, came down, went up again. Sales were counted each week.

When the signs were up, more people bought salads. When signs came down, sales dropped.

The change was quick and clear across the whole restaurant chain.

Johnson et al. (2024) later showed the same idea works by email. They sent preschool teachers weekly prompts instead of paper signs. Both studies prove a simple reminder can shift behavior without extra training.

Glover et al. (1976) found similar results with phone calls. A 30-second reminder cut mental-health no-shows by half. Phone or paper, the prompt is the key.

Ferreri et al. (2011) used hand signals at crosswalks. Like the salad signs, a small visual cue changed driver behavior right away.

You can nudge healthy choices with almost no cost. Print a sign, send a text, or point to a picture. One prompt can replace long training sessions. Try posting a picture cue next time you want a client to pick a new food, use a new word, or follow a new step.