Chapter 5, Problem 1ST-183

Summary Introduction

To determine:

How are children’s food preferences influenced by their mothers, and what foods might children be less likely to try?

Concept introduction:

Taste preferences can be influenced by different factors. Genetic traits can determine how many taste buds we have and how we experience different flavors and textures (see a description of “supertasters” on page 181). Past experiences can affect how much we enjoy particular foods. Cultural factors can influence our exposure to and preference for certain tastes.

Explanation of Solution

Suggested responses:

Research has shown that children tend to prefer the taste of foods that were eaten by their mothers before and after birth. Exposure to certain foods in the womb may impact the child’s genetic traits, making it more likely that they also enjoy these foods. Additionally, if a child observes their mother regularly eating certain things, they may want to imitate their mother and choose these food items also. This demonstrates the impact of both nature and nuture on taste preferences.

Children can be picky when learning to try new foods. They may not like a food because of:

Texture: How does it feel in their mouth?

Look: Does it look weird or unappetizing?

Smell: Does it smell bad?

Exposure: Have they seen this food before? Do they have this food in the home?

Children may be less likely to try something that is completely different looking, or smelling, than they are used to, or something that has an extreme taste (for example, really spicy or really sour). Remember that children are strongly influenced by their environment. They may also be less likely to try a food that is unfamiliar to them, such as a food that they have not seen before or one that they haven’t seen eaten by a family member.