Have
you ever wondered what influences your food selection? Recently, studies have been
looking to into ‘left brain’ verses ‘right brain’ approach to food selection
and cooking. Here at PenniBlack we are just fascinated by the theory and our
curiosity has led us to look in detail into what is responsible for our food
choices and behaviour.
When it comes to food everyone has a different approach, just
like when it comes to taste; be it salty, sweet, hot or sour. So when it comes
to how we choose our food, what influences our choice? In order to
understand this we must look into which side on the brain controls which
characteristics.
Well…. The left side of the brain handles organisation and
logic. Therefore, a person who is left brain dominant is very organised, an
analytical thinker and makes decisions based on logic. They prefer to work to
schedules and deadlines and love knowing the rules and regulations. However, the
right side of the brain handles the senses.
A person who is right brain dominant depend more on visual references
for understanding and therefore tend to be more creative. They are more swayed by
emotion and feelings which makes right brain thinkers intuitive and more
curious about the world.
So how does this transpire to our food selection; when it
comes to a dominant left brain individual’s food selection they tend to rely
more on science. They think of calorie counting, nutrients, weight and volume
of food and nutritional theories when making their food choices. Whilst a right
brain thinker rely more on senses in food selection and therefore focus on the
taste, colour, aroma and texture of food as well as how the food makes them
feel.
Do you have a right brain or left brain approach to food?
Some of you however, may find you fall into both. Neuroscience
tells us the two hemispheres are actually interdependent and constantly
interact. Let’s take cooking for example, when we eat the right brain is more
active however when it actually comes to the cooking of the food we in fact use
both sides of the brain. The left side comes into play when choosing
ingredients and mise en place, whereas the right side is dominant to see, hear,
smell and taste the food.
Why not take the time this week to observe your food choices
and try engaging both sides of your brain for the optimal experience. As we are always told…balance is key!
