In this conversation, we delve into the principles of longevity as outlined in the book 'The Blue Zones.' They discuss the importance of lifestyle habits, the role of the senses in eating, and the significance of community and mindful eating in promoting health and well-being.
What if our relationship with food wasn’t about rules, restriction, or guilt—but about experience? What if nourishment started not with calorie counts, but with our senses?
In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Keith Somers and I dive into the first of five senses—taste—as part of a broader journey inspired by The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner. These “Power Nine” principles that promote longevity are deeply human, simple, and rooted in cultural practices—many of which engage the senses in meaningful, joyful ways.
Taste: More Than Flavor
Taste is more than just what hits your tongue—it’s a multi-sensory event involving smell, sight, memory, and emotion. It begins before the first bite, influenced by the colors, aromas, and textures of food, and it can evolve over time. That’s right—your taste buds are not fixed. They can be retrained and rediscovered, even in adulthood.
As Keith reminded us, “Taste isn’t just a function of the tongue. It’s a reflection of culture, of upbringing, of how our senses have been activated—or dulled—by the environments we live in.”
Creating Space for Curiosity
We often forget the joy of messy, sensory food play that begins in infancy—sticky fingers, smeared faces, and big grins. Why do we lose that freedom and wonder as we age?
As a mother of six, I see how each child engages differently with taste. Some approach food with delight. Others with fear. I've found that making food playful—cutting colorful fruits and veggies into shapes, or simply allowing them to explore without pressure—invites curiosity back to the table.
Dr. Somers shared that many cultures around the world eat with their hands, engaging multiple senses in a single act. He reminded us that even things like etiquette and formality can sometimes distance us from the pleasure of eating.
Mindful Eating: Slowing Down to Savor
The Blue Zones’ Okinawan concept of hara hachi bu—eating until you're 80% full—offers a powerful lesson in tuning in. But to do this, we must first slow down. Pause. Taste.
It’s easy to reach for hyper-processed foods designed to hit precise “bliss points” of salt, sugar, and fat. They light up reward centers in the brain—without offering true nourishment. Meanwhile, whole foods offer subtlety, depth, and variation. One pepper, sliced and shared, becomes not just a snack, but a conversation.
We don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to reconnect with taste. We need presence. Awareness. Maybe a little bit of play.
Practical Ways to Reignite Taste
Reintroduce foods you once disliked. Taste buds evolve—what was bitter to a child may be delicious now.
Play with texture. Crunch, creaminess, juiciness—let your mouth be curious.
Make it a family game. Compare the taste of a Cheeto and a slice of real cheese. Explore flavor without judgment.
Use herbs and spices. A sprinkle of cumin or basil can transform bland into bold.
Start small. One cucumber, one pepper, one apple slice—shared with joy—is enough.
The Bigger Picture
Our conversation wasn’t just about taste—it was about belonging, curiosity, and designing environments that invite connection. From community meals to green spaces, from reading aloud to our children to nourishing their bodies, it all begins with awareness.
As Dr. Somers beautifully shared through the story of August Wilson, even with limited resources, we can feed our minds, spirits, and bodies by engaging deeply with our surroundings.
Coming Up Next
In our next episode, we’ll explore the fascinating world of smell—a sense deeply tied to memory, emotion, and healing. Until then, we invite you to notice your next bite. Really taste it. Savor the moment. Reconnect.
You don’t have to eat perfectly. You just have to start paying attention.
