Inside School Food

Episode 48: First Taste Matters Most

Episode Summary

Many American children have developed a strong, stubborn preference for sweet and salty processed food before their second birthdays. If they havent, it could well be because they became accustomed to healthier flavors much earlier, beginning in breast milk or even in utero. What babies taste in the first weeks and months of life really matters, says Dr. Julie Menella of the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Her research suggests that school meals can only ever be just one of a much larger set of interventions, and that some of them need to occur before students are even born. This program was brought to you by Cain Vineyard and Winery During childhood we learn what to eat, how to eat, how food should taste. Many children arent getting the experience to learn to like (healthy) food. [11:00] It cant just be school, it starts in the home. As much as were focusing on the school nutrition program we have to focus on the barriers for healthy eating for families at home. [13:00] --Dr. Julie Menella on Inside School Food

Episode Notes

Many American children have developed a strong, stubborn preference for
sweet and salty processed food before their second birthdays. If they
haven’t, it could well be because they became accustomed to healthier
flavors much earlier, beginning in breast milk or even in utero. What
babies taste in the first weeks and months of life really matters, says
Dr. Julie Menella of the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Her research
suggests that school meals can only ever be just one of a much larger
set of interventions, and that some of them need to occur before
students are even born. This program was brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery


“During childhood we learn what to eat, how to eat, how food should taste. Many children aren’t getting the experience to learn to like (healthy) food.” [11:00]

“It can’t just be school, it starts in the home. As much as we’re focusing on the school nutrition program we have to focus on the barriers for healthy eating for families at home.” [13:00]

–Dr. Julie Menella on Inside School Food