Food

Rhoda Boone

### Cold Open

Jason Silva: "All it takes is a quick look around at all the food blogs, food shows, food channels, and celebrity chefs to figure out we are clearly consumed by that which we consume. While we obviously need to eat to live, why does it seem like so many of us live to eat? But for all the talking we do about food and eating, chances are you know a lot less about food than you may think."

### Questions

Do you think your brain can be tricked into eating things you'd otherwise avoid?

## Games

### Game #1: The Plate

Which plate has more food?

While the plate with more food seems to be the one with the smaller plate, both contain the same amount.

Why: The food on the smaller plate makes you think more is less.

### Game #2: Bowls of Stuff

How many bowls of ketchup, mustard and mayo are there? And what about butter?

Result: While you think there are two mayo and the rest each have one, like most people, you're wrong. All of them are butter.

Why: Because many variations of mustard are white. Most butter is white or gray and dyed yellow for the market. Before any food enters your mouth, your eyes responds to stimuli that catch it's attention. The bolder and brighter the colors, the more you're likely to buy it.

### Game #3: Jars of Stuff

Choose a can of tomato sauce.

Result: You most likely chose B, but why?

Why: Because red and yellow are most appealing when eating food and the font looks handwritten, making it look homemade and animals on the label makes it feel a connection with nature. Most of the food at the store tastes the same, it's just the packaging that's different.

### Game #4: I Think It's a Brownie

There are 5 brownies. Will they look past the classic shape to try something... Different? One of the brownies has a really good taste

Result: While most of the brownies get a pass, one of the brownies is just repulsive to your brain and volunteers, even though it's made with better ingredients. But are they just being dramatic?

Why: After their brains say don't eat it, the shape of the brownies is all that seems to matter. Your brain is hardwired to avoid things that seem harmful for you to eat and activates a gag reflex or a loss of appetite.

### Mini-Game: The Shelf

Which is found on the shelves?

Result: None of them are found on the shelves, but they are found inside food.

### Game #5: Possum Popper Roadkill

Will anyone eat roadkill on a rainy day? And if so, why?

Result: Most people say no, but why do we eat cows and pigs?

Why: Because of the fact that the brain has been conditioned that some animals are edible and others aren't.

Let's turn up the sizzle of the grill. Will the smell change anything? The nerves in your nose send signals to your brain to register smell. But will it work?

Result: More people eat roadkill because the smell is attractive. But here's the thing: None of it is roadkill at all! Just meat from the grocery store with the roadkill slapped on. But let's not ruin the fun.

Fun Fact: Your brain is the fattest organ in your body.

### Game #6: The Taste Test

It's time to put some taste buds to the test, with blindfolds on.

Result: They did awesome in the first round.

Time to step it up. Now their smell and sight is taken away.

Result: The food writers meet their match.

Why: Taste and smell work in tandem, so by removing the smell, you won't taste much of anything, regardless of seasoning, and DO TRY THIS AT HOME!

### Game #7: Pick One

Which will make food taste better?

Result: Utensils make food taste better.

Why: The kind of utensil you use plays a role in the food you taste because color and density contrast can alter our perceptions of taste.

## List of Experts

* Rhoda Boone(Food Stylist)
* Susan Carnell
* Erik Trinidad(Food Expert)
* Brad Bates, Stacy Capone, Josh Ozersky(Food Writers)