Children, she says, often list sweet foods like ice cream as one of their favorite foods, and, as you would probably guess, place bitter foods, including brussel sprouts and spinach, at the bottom. Psychologists say a dislike of bitter foods may also be a survival measure. Most naturally occurring poisons taste bitter and initiate a gag reflex. It's actually smell, sight, touch and texture. Those senses contribute to children accepting certain foods.
Flavor is a combination of smell and taste, with smell often being the most important factor.
Capaldi says kids like spaghetti because it has both salty and sweet components, garnished with an intoxicating odor. That's why a child might immediately like a pretty food found in an advertisement or menu. Touch and texture round out the flavor senses. And, according to Dr. Paul Rozin, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, fatty foods such as ice cream have a smooth texture that children like because it feels good on their tongues. Young Rebels Recent studies, including those conducted by Birch and her Penn State colleagues, show that environmental and social influences also play a large part in a child's food preferences.