Episode description

In today's interview we talk about the paradox of choice and the power of data.

As Sam Slover mentioned in the interview: "If you think of a grocery store with a huge aisle of 60+ yogurts to choose from, but each of those yogurts has a slightly different (nutritional) profile", how do you choose the healthiest yogurt to eat?

Sam's company, the Sage Project, is working to make in-store recommendations based on your dietary needs and help to decipher product transparency to the end consumer. Food product labels have it's limitations. Think of a "smart wikipedia for food data".

What do "all-natural" and "made in small batches" mean in terms of nutrition and the preparation of a food product?

They are working with a number of retailers in Whole Foods to bring the project to reality. Listen and learn how a data-driven company is on the path to transform our shopping experience:

• Personalized nutrition - why it matters
• Sam's personal journey and how the idea for Sage came about
• How self-tracking has had a positive impact in Sam's life (see Wrap Genius)
• The positive benefits of personal tracking
• How we can get started on data tracking
• Why transparency and nutrition can be overwhelming at a grocery store
• Buzz words and the confusion of customers
• Ways for food startups to get involved
• Empower consumers to be healthier

Selected links from the episode:
The Sage Project
Wrap Genius
The Rational Optimist
Shaping Things by Bruce Sterling