"eating habits" news and stories

Most of us will chow on anything without a hazard sign, but, for some, our abundant foodshed is a minefield. Even the most adventurous eaters have their Kryptonite -- Julia Child had a habit of tossing cilantro; Ruth Reichl refuses to eat honey.

Odd eating habits have plagued every walk of life, perfectly rational people, and confused scientists and indulgent omnivores for years. For some, it's sensitivity to texture that gets in the way of a good piece of fish. Perhaps it's something in our past (or another life) that makes us squirm at the mush of a banana or the tree-like tops of broccoli. The BBC recently interviewed a woman who can't eat pasta because it feels like tiny worms; a bite of tomato, like maggots. Some people's lists of don't eats are longer than their dos. So what causes this seemingly childish aversion to perfectly good food?

Thanks to the minds at Duke University, we may soon have our answer.

There are times, especially when I really love my meal, that I wonder what other people think of my mid-chew countenance. I remember many a late-night meal at Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg, moaning over my cheese omelet and fries -- not looking up until I was finished. But wondering what your fellow patrons is a lot different than being studied by researchers.

According to Yahoo, there's a cafe in the Netherlands that tracks the entire dining experience in order to study the subtleties of food and dining. We're talking what they pick up, which wrapping they prefer, and even how much they weigh. "Discreet ceiling cameras can zoom in on a face or a plate, or pull back to view a table or broad section of the lunchroom. They record not only what food you selected, but what you almost selected and how long you paused before deciding. Facial recognition software analyzes your level of enjoyment."

To be fair, only those signed up for this experiment can eat in the cafeteria, but it's still strange. Next time you see someone watching you eat, give them a show -- maybe they're a less covert researcher! As for the study, it just goes to show how much every little thing counts.

[via Serious Eats]

I've heard it a number of times either in a friend's kitchen or at the drop off line at school, it's always mentioned in somewhat hushed tones. "She's a vegetarian now, you know." Or, "No, he won't eat that anymore, he's a vegetarian all of a sudden."

These comments are usually met with eye rolls and knowing nods of the head. For many households, the switch of a teenager's diet means two different meals to prepare, more shopping to do and yet another battle with the resident teen. Statistics show that many teens currently classify themselves as vegetarians. The reasons vary widely: health, religion, ethics, weight, fashion, environment. Whatever the case, the trend is growing.

Evidence that vegetarian eating is more and more abundant: veggie burgers, edamame and soy products are available at more grocery stores. Fast food restaurants are offering more vegetarian options.

I became a vegetarian when I was 15. By the time I was 19, I was a full fledged vegan. I read John Robbin's Diet for a New America and became inspired to abandon all animal products. However, when I had a child at age 22, the efforts of preparing vegan meals became too much and I fell off the wagon and stopped by a KFC. If my teenager were to suddenly give up ham and pepperoni, I think I would support him and maybe even join him.

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