In this episode, Elizabeth Cook and Keith Somers delve into the profound impact of the sense of smell on our food experiences. They explore how smell is intricately linked to memory and emotion, influencing our perceptions and connections to food. The conversation also touches on the prenatal influences on taste and smell, emphasizing the importance of a varied diet during pregnancy. Additionally, they discuss how food preparation can significantly affect eating habits and preferences, advocating for mindful engagement with our senses in the culinary experience.
In this episode of Illuminating Being, we delved into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of our sensory experience with food: the sense of smell. While taste is the intuitive sense most people associate with eating, smell plays a powerful role in how we experience and remember food. Its direct connection to memory and emotion makes it one of our most primal and evocative senses.
The Science Behind Smell and Memory
Unlike our other senses, which pass through the thalamus before reaching higher cognitive processing centers, smell bypasses this relay station and goes directly to the limbic system. This includes the amygdala and hippocampus, the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory. This direct pathway explains why certain scents can instantly transport us back in time—the aroma of fresh-baked cookies in your grandmother’s kitchen or the salty sea breeze from a childhood vacation.
From an evolutionary perspective, smell was critical for survival. Early humans relied on it to detect danger, identify edible food, and navigate their environments. While modern society has shifted its reliance toward vision, smell remains a powerful force in how we experience and process the world around us.
The Emotional Connection of Smell
Smell is more than just a survival tool—it is an emotional regulator. It has the power to shift our moods in an instant, triggering joy, nostalgia, or even discomfort. A scent can reinforce bonds between people, especially within families and cultural traditions. Think about how certain smells are deeply tied to holidays, family gatherings, or personal rituals—these olfactory experiences create a shared sense of belonging and connection.
For parents, understanding the connection between smell, emotion, and food can be transformative. The foods a mother eats during pregnancy influence the tastes a baby will later recognize and prefer. Studies have shown that newborns recognize the scent of their mothers, reinforcing attachment and survival instincts. As children grow, their exposure to different scents in food preparation—garlic sautéing, fresh herbs being chopped, warm cinnamon in oatmeal—can foster a deep and lasting appreciation for nutritious whole foods.
Helping Selective Eaters Through Smell Awareness
For parents dealing with selective eaters, smell can be an important puzzle piece. Often, a child may reject a food before it ever reaches their mouth simply based on its aroma. Understanding that smell plays a crucial role in their food experience allows for a more compassionate and patient approach. Encouraging small steps—allowing them to smell a new food before tasting it, introducing mild flavors first, and combining foods with familiar scents—can help ease their resistance.
One simple trick pediatricians recommend is pairing a challenging food with a familiar, preferred scent. For example, a pinch of salt on broccoli can make it more palatable by triggering a known and liked flavor connection. Similarly, using cinnamon or mild herbs can introduce new foods in a way that feels safe and appealing.
Bringing Smell Awareness Into Daily Life
We often rush through our meals, barely registering the aromas that accompany them. Taking just a few moments to breathe in the scents around us before eating can enhance our connection to food. Try this simple mindfulness exercise:
Before eating, close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose.
Identify at least three distinct scents.
Notice how those scents make you feel—do they trigger a memory, create anticipation, or shift your mood?
Eat slowly, paying attention to how the smell and taste work together.
By incorporating this practice, you can heighten your awareness and appreciation of food, deepening your sensory experience and enjoyment.
A Journey of Discovery
Food is not just about sustenance—it’s about experience, memory, and connection. The sense of smell plays a profound role in shaping those experiences, guiding us toward what we love and bringing us back to cherished moments from the past.
As we continue exploring the multisensory aspects of eating, our next episode will focus on the power of touch and how texture influences our perception of food. Until then, take a moment to breathe deeply, savor your surroundings, and reflect on the role of scent in your daily life.
What are some of your most powerful scent-related food memories? We’d love to hear from you!
