Picky eating may be genetic
Couldn't resist linking to this WebMD account of a new study that finds picky eating may be more related to genetics than to the food you're offering, especially for boys. The study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia followed the eating habits of nearly 800 pairs of twins and found that identical twins tended to share the same preferences for food and drink, according to the article.
Interestingly, girls seemed more influenced by "environmental" factors, such as what snacks are available in the home.
For parents of very selective eaters (even though I've used the term picky eater before, I don't really like it), does this news bring any comfort? Or are you more confused than ever about how to help your child eat well?
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Comments
My two year old son has always been a very selective eater and his pediatrician told us that it is almost always genetic. I was a legendary picky eater when I was little. It helps explain it, but certainly doesn't make it any easier to deal with. I'd love to hear some great tips on how others have dealt with it.
Posted by: Robert | April 10, 2008 2:56 PM
This makes a ton of sense to me. I was raised by parents who are not picky at all. There are things they, and I don't like, but we've always been willing to try things. And there are things I am willing to eat when they are an ingredient but wouldn't eat alone. For example, I don't love mushrooms and wouldn't eat them for a snack but will eat them in a casserole or on pizza, etc.
My husband was raised but an extremely picky mother. When we met, he ate 3 veggies: broccoli, green beans and corn. And let's be hoenst. Corn doesn't do much for you. Now, he has branched out and eats carrots, peas, cauliflower, and lima beans willingly. he tried squash, asparagus, brussle sprouts and spinah but simply doesn't like them.
My son is very similar to his father in his pickiness towards veggies (other foods too). The rule in our house it to try it. If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it but you will have to eat a veggie you do like. I don't like to have to make two different veggies for dinner but am willing to do so when it is a veggie only I like. My son does try them and still doesn't like carrots but some of the others I know he will grow into over time. My daugther, like just about every veggie I have ever put in front of her.....
Posted by: Christine the ram :) | April 11, 2008 10:10 AM
I heartily agree it is entirely genetic, and those of us that have adventurous eaters just plain ol' lucked out.
Apparently, and this would explain the exact genetic difference, some folks are born with as many as three times the number of tast buds as other folks. In a smal section of tongue, one person might have 50 taste buds, and another has 150. And each taste bud has pain receptors wrapped around it, so something that one person tastes as hot or spicy, another finds will really be intolerable to eat. Same with bitterness.
Posted by: Annelies | April 11, 2008 12:12 PM