Taste preferences are a subjective likes and dislikes of food flavors, shaped by a combination of genetics, environment, and experience. Factors like prenatal exposure to flavors influence what we find pleasant or unpleasant to eat.
Taste preferences begin in the womb
Your diet during pregnancy can influence your baby’s future taste preferences. Flavors in your diet can reach the amniotic fluid, as shown for garlic, cumin, anise, banana and vanilla. Therefore, your baby is exposed to various food flavors while still in the womb.
A recent medical study has shown that babies who experienced the flavors of vegetables (e.g., carrots) while in the womb, ate later more of a carrot flavored cereal than babies with no exposure to carrots during pregnancy.
Impact baby’s future taste preferences
Eating a great variety of foods during pregnancy exposes your baby to different flavors while still in the womb, helping him/her accept new foods later on.
References:
1. Mennella JA andTrabulsi J,Ann Nutr Metab 2012; 60 (Suppl 2): 40-50;
2. CookeL and FildesA,Appetite. 2011 Dec;57(3):808-11
3.VenturaAK,Worobey J, Curr Biol. 2013; 23(9):R401-8.
