ABSTRACT
One further, very important, source of learning in diet is direct parental influence. The adoption of a healthy diet, therefore, must be based on learning, and much of this learning takes place within the family. Within the family, the eating of less palatable foods is often associated with negative affect while inherently palatable foods, high in carbohydrates often combined with fats, are presented in pleasant contexts. In study rats were given water with one of two different flavours, and it was arranged that each time they took a drink from one particular flavour; a nutritious solution was delivered directly to the stomach. After four days, the animals were given a choice between the two flavours, and chose the one that had previously been associated with the nutritious result. The neural mechanisms of palatability have been investigated using taste reactivity studies. Sensory-specific satiety occurs in sham-eating animals.
