Let's Get Sensual

Now don't go judging me, this may not be what you're thinking.  

In what everyday scenarios are all five of your senses stimulated for the experience?

We don't really think about nutrition being a sensual experience but that is exactly what it is. We have a connection to food that can come from smells, sounds, and so on. 

With sight you see how a food is plated, and it's art. You have a bias before the food even touches your lips. This is also present in your perception of how the food will taste, whether it will be juicy, rich, dense, flaky and onward. This bias is furthered by the smell of the food.  French fries, watermelons, and chocolate bring different memories and offer different experiences. Restaurants now send scents outside of their buildings to invoke this senses to increase cravings and drive customers to purchase. 

The feel, the hands on feel, has changed with the use of silverware. I am reminded of an African friend when asked about silverware he said, "I've got a spoon" touching each individual figure spelling S, P, O, O, N. Think back to how you ate as a kid or the difference between eating at home versus a restaurant. Then think of eating a steak versus eating hamburgers at a cook out. 

The hardest scenario to link to eating is sound. How does this connect to what I eat? Think about when you are sitting in class and someone crinkles the wrapper of a food item. Automatically you are stimulated to think of what that food is and may start to salivate.  How about ordering a sizzling fajita plate?

Obviously taste is essential to food. If you have something that looks delicious but tastes pungent and repulsive you will not go back for seconds.

Let's this be a reminder to you, that taking the time to increase your awareness of the food you're eating may increase the pleasure we draw from food. This is called mindful eating.

Let me know how your food experience is impacted by your senses!

- Eat Wise