Watch A Health Food Branding Expert Redesign Popular Snacks To Look Nutritious
Can’t stop reaching for the potato chips? If you’re arguing with that inner voice that’s bellowing for you to practice portion control, you might find yourself justifying that these are vegan, all natural, and cholesterol-free.
It comes as no surprise that some food marketers have been using similar tactics to assuage eaters that certain snacks are “cleaner” than they really are. To illustrate how convincing some of these labels might be, Matt Rosenman of Cheat Day Design rebrands popular snacks and soft drinks to look like health foods in an entertaining TikTok series that has racked up millions of views.
The conceptual redesigns cover favorites like Doritos, Coca-Cola, Twinkies, Reese’s Cups, and Honey Buns.
@mattrosenman Replying to @deadmarshmellow @reeses Pro+ coming soon to a health store near you 💪#healthfood #foodmarketing #foodlabels #rebranding #reeses
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
While the reimagined packaging features some rather questionable buzzwords, it’s worth pointing out that none of these claims are lies. They’re just different names for things like corn syrup and palm oil, all wrapped up in a bow.
Take, for example, the “healthier” Coca-Cola design, which sees Rosenman rename the beverage as ‘Thrive Sparkling Cola’ for a light and upmarket feel. The soda is touted as “all-natural” because the high fructose corn syrup in the cola can be labeled as natural sugar, as per the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines.
@mattrosenman Replying to @xxlenteja Healthy @cocacola at your service. It’s time to thrive. #rebrand #healthfood #cocacola #healthysoda
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
Rosenman, a branding expert in health foods, markets the newly-disguised Coca-Cola as 100% plant-based with a posh ‘Caramel Gold Bliss’ flavor.
Rosenman has also repackaged Nutella as a “premium hazelnut spread” in a gold jar called ‘Simply Hazelnut’ and highlighted the use of “100% Earth-friendly cocoa” that is Rainforest Alliance-certified.
@mattrosenman Replying to @iamironman409 I actually thought Nutella was a health food for most of my life because they advertize it as a breakfast item. Then I learned it’s basically just dessert in a jar…but it is damn good. #rebranding #healthfood #nutella
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
Simply Hazelnut—and, by extension, Nutella—is gluten-free, and it has no preservatives, coloring, or cholesterol. Not to mention, the spread is vegetarian too.
Oreos, on the other hand, have been rebranded as “plant-based,” given that there’s no dairy in the classic chocolate sandwich cookies. The wafers are bundled in a white wrapper mimicking the design used for the gluten-free version, but with a nature-themed background to convey the snack being actually plant-based.
Rosenman, who was previously a personal trainer and has a bachelor’s degree in Health Behavioral Sciences, first started his website, Cheat Day Design, as a web design portfolio for businesses in the fitness sector. These days, he uses the blog to teach people how to maintain a healthy relationship with food.
“I love all food, and I don’t believe we should ever restrict ourselves by eliminating any food that we love,” he writes on his website. “Unfortunately, we’re taught that certain foods are good for us and others are bad, so we quickly learn to avoid specific foods.” To help others adopt wholesome eating habits that are also sustainable, Rosenman shares healthy spins of beloved classic recipes.
You can view more of Matt Rosenman’s experimental food rebrands on his TikTok profile. For bite-sized insights on keeping healthy without sacrificing enjoyment, check out his website and Instagram.
“Healthy” Sour Patch Kids
@mattrosenman Replying to @therealsourpatchkids First they’re sour, then they’re healthy. #rebrand #healthfood #sourpatchkids #healthycandy #marketingtricks
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
“Healthy” Doritos
@mattrosenman Replying to @kingjt555 @doritos veggie chips coming soon. What do ya think? #doritos #rebrand #foodlabels #eatyourveggies #foodmarketing
♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again
“Healthy” Honey Buns
@mattrosenman Replying to @jayyyddden I don’t want none unless you got healthy buns, hun. #rebrand #healthfood #honeybuns #healthfoods
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
“Healthy” Twinkies
@mattrosenman Replying to @ranger_fan_1986 Eat Twinkies. Get lean. What a world. What should I rebrand next?? #rebranding #healthfood #twinkies #junkfood
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
“Healthy” Cosmic Brownies
@mattrosenman Replying to @reginebecrl The cosmic cleanse you didn’t know you needed. I couldnt fit an entire disclaimer on the packaging for a mockup but here’s what we could say: “The statements made on this packaging are based on the presence of cocoa in the product, which is known to have potential benefits related to its anti-inflammatory and digestive health properties. However, the efficacy of these claims has not been scientifically proven and may vary among individuals.” Heakth is fun, huh? #rebranding #foodlabels #healthfood #cosmicbrownies
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
“Healthy” Oreos
@mattrosenman Replying to @dadbod.actual Oreos from the Earth. #rebranding #healthfood #foodlabels #oreo
♬ original sound - Matt Rosenman
[via Matt Rosenman / Cheat Day Design and featured with permission, images via various sources]
