Behavior

Why Do We Eat What We Eat?

Humans eat just like every other living creature. Have you ever wondered what drives us to binge eat, or spend too much time at the grocery store? And how does the food we eat impact us emotionally? We talk to Dr. Rachel Herz, author of "Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food," about the surprising science of food in our daily lives.

Dr. Herz is a leading world expert on the psychological science of smell, and has been conducting research on olfaction, sensory perception, emotion, motivated behavior and cognition since 1990. She holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and sometimes teaches in the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences at Brown University. Stream or download the podcast using the player below, or find the episode everywhere podcasts are found, including iTunes, Stitcher, and Gretta.

Appetite for Consumption

Dr. Rachel Herz, author of "Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food," discusses:

  • How and why our senses, mind, and environment impact our experience of food and our motivation to eat.
  • Things you can do while grocery shopping to make sure you're taking good care of your impulses and cravings while still taking care of the rest of your body.
  • Why we don't all just eat what's healthy.
  • How corporations are impacting our food consumption.
  • The "Fab Four" (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) and what they mean to your body.
  • The secret to resisting seconds — and maybe even thirds — at your favorite all-you-can-eat buffet.

Click here to follow along with a written transcript of this episode (and share clips with your friends).

Podcast Show Notes and Links

More from Curiosity:

Additional resources discussed:

The Difference Between Steel Cut, Old Fashioned, Quick Cook, and Instant Oats

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About the Curiosity Podcast: Curiosity makes you smarter – and so will this podcast. Each week, we talk to experts who can help you get smart about the world around you, with a timely blend of cultural trends, life hacks, and developments in science and technology. You'll learn about your mind and your body, outer space and the depths of the sea, how history shaped the world into what it is today, and more. From the largest galaxies to your smallest brain cells, our curiosity will help you understand the world better.

Written by Cody Gough February 6, 2018