Combining behavioral nudges with financial incentives creates more durable improvements in eating patterns than traditional nutrition education alone. The review analyzed interventions ranging from strategic food placement in cafeterias to subsidies for healthy purchases, finding that multi-component approaches addressing both psychological barriers and economic constraints achieved the strongest effect sizes. Particularly effective were programs that made healthy choices the default option while maintaining freedom of choice, and those providing immediate rather than delayed rewards for nutritious selections. This approach represents a significant shift from purely informational strategies that assume knowledge drives behavior. The findings have immediate relevance for workplace wellness programs, school nutrition initiatives, and healthcare systems seeking cost-effective population health improvements. However, most studies were conducted in controlled environments with relatively short follow-up periods, limiting our understanding of real-world sustainability. The economic interventions also raise equity concerns, as they may be most effective among populations with discretionary spending power. Despite these limitations, the evidence suggests that addressing the behavioral economics of food choice—rather than just nutritional knowledge—offers a more realistic pathway to widespread dietary improvement.