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What we can learn from Mexican dogs

September 25, 2008

Did you know…When researchers presented foods to children in a positive, friendly way, the kids came to prefer those foods.

An American psychologist wanted to know how kids learned to like different foods, so he went to a small Mexican village. In this town, all the grown ups ate chiles – spicy foods that are an acquired taste. Babies liked bland foods but, by the time kids were about five years old, they were all voluntarily adding spices to their meals.

Interestingly, the village dogs did not like the chiles. These dogs did not eat with the families. However, dogs that belonged to the visiting American researchers, and were fed on table scraps, did love hot foods.

The psychologist learned that, if you offer new foods repeatedly and without pressure, if you show by example that you enjoy them, your children will like them as well.

When we cater to our children's likes and dislikes, we are actually making them pickier rather than less picky. A low pressure approach works better, especially when we understand that it can take time for kids to get accustomed to new foods.

Now that I know the story, when I think about new foods, I always picture the Mexican dogs.

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