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| teeniewitabeenie1 |
 Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject: I need help on a question |
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This maybe the wrong section but question is what influences what you like to eat. my dad says a person's diet peferences, like whether they prefer meats or vegetables or breads has to do with their environment. I says that it more to do with their heredity and what you are brought up on. he also says all people craves meat no matter what, and i know its not true bc i know some asians that really care for gamey meat at all, bc in asian theres not so much, and its mostly ocean foods. who is right? me right? i tried to look it on google but i don't think i know how to word it because nothing good came up. THanks!!!!
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| paralith |
| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Complicated behavioral characteristics like specific food preference are usually a combination of genes and the environment. You will find average trends, one of which is that humans on average enjoy meat, largely because eating meat gave our ancestors a reproductive advantage, so we evolved to like it so we would be motivated to eat it as much as possible. However, this average preference will vary due to the environmental influence of culture, etc. Both your own tastes and your digestive system adapt within your lifetime to the foods available, to what you eat the most. So you and your dad are both right.
If you look at the big picture, though, the types of foods that we are capable of digesting are determined by our genes, so in that sense all human food preference is greatly influenced by genes. Common grass, for example, is not usually on the human menu, because we are unable to digest the cellulose in it.
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| teeniewitabeenie1 |
| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
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thanks paralith!!! your so smart, you always have good answers....i can't wait to tell him i was mostly right ahhahaahahahhahahahahhaahahah thanks
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| Harold14370 |
| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| teeniewitabeenie1 wrote: |
| thanks paralith!!! your so smart, you always have good answers....i can't wait to tell him i was mostly right ahhahaahahahhahahahahhaahahah thanks |
Well, I think your dad was mostly right because the question was about why different people, not different species, prefer different foods. If you grew up in Mexico or India you would probably like spicy hot foods but if your momma raised you on bland American food, probably not. |
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| DaBOB |
| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: |
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I would suggest that food preference has largely to do with character of oneself and the person's environment (obviously genetics has an important role since certain substances are dangerous or indigestible).
Something I always noticed when I was young was the soda craze. Everyone had a few particular sodas they preferred over others (i.e. coke vs pepsi). I had a friend who always enjoyed Tomas Kemper root beer more than any other. My theory was that the reason he enjoyed it more was because it was more expensive and came in a nice glass bottle. If you compare the ingredients with other root beers you will find them to be the same. In fact Tomas Kemper is one of the only (if not the only) root beer with phosphoric acid (the only major difference) which you would think would make it worse in the eyes of someone looking for authenticity.
I took this theory and applied it to my own life. I'm very traditionalist and have an interest in many cultures. Because of this I enjoy cooking and eating a wide range of ethnic foods from China to Japan to India et cetera. I don't generally enjoy the Chinese take out as much because it has been "Americanized" to look and taste different than the authentic foods.
Here's the interesting bit. When I was very young I was not at all like this. I hated tomatoes, broccoli, and certain types of meat. I found it was all due to my character. Your taste in food will likely reflect your taste in character. I slowly began to realize I really enjoyed all the foods I thought I hated. Now most people around me hate the foods I enjoy (ever had a 100 year old egg?).
Also, there are certain factors that have to do with body type (or if you prefer; genetics). Such as spicy food. While you may enjoy certain ethnic foods with lots of spice you may find that your digestive system does not. Often you can eat this food more to allow your system to adjust but eventually you will have to make a compromise. Interestingly enough this can also lead to character building. When you prepare your own food you will find yourself being more careful with the spices which in turn often makes a better meal anyways.
So, long story short I believe taste is a matter of character; and character has many influences.
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