How Smell Shapes Appetite and Eating Habits
While everyone knows about the role of taste in food enjoyment, few recognize that smell has far more influence on food enjoyment. The aroma of food reaches the brain even before one takes his first mouthful and starts influencing one's appetite, expectations, and satisfaction.
The sensation of smell has a direct connection to your emotional centers in your brain. The warmth of cooking aromas wafting from your kitchen can bring about emotions of comfort, nostalgia, and anticipation even before your body signals its need for food. This is why you feel driven to eat despite not really needing food, because some aromas trigger this response in you.
The aroma of food has an impact on portion size. The presence of strong and diverse aromas allows one to quickly recognize food flavor, which in turn causes one to get satisfied fast. The presence of vibrant, fresh, and aromatic foods can be really effective in allowing one to get satisfied with small portions. The foods with low aromas trigger overeating, as one does not get to experience all stimulations. This is one reason why processed foods can be easily overeaten.
Smell and cravings. Citrus is energizing. Herbs such as basil or mint are stimulating and can help with focus. Comforting spices are warming. Aromas can be used to make positive food choices if understood. Eating what you need and matching your mood with your meal by aroma, not habit, can be effective in moving your eating habits in a positive and deliberate way.
Smells can help individuals develop better habits in many easy ways. Cooking with herbs, toasting spices, and selecting whole foods with aroma can all help individuals prepare fuller meals. This leads individuals to practice mindful eating without boundaries and limitations.
One area of nutrition that gets ignored is the role of your sense of smell. Paying attention to your aromas will allow you to learn more not only about your appetite but also about your emotions and your habits. This can make it easier to balance your eating and live in a grounded and nourishing way.
