Beyond taste: How the 5 senses shape a child’s appetite

Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN

Imagine biting into a crisp apple, only to find it mealy and mushy. Or sipping what you thought was a refreshing glass of water, only to taste sour milk instead. That disconnect between expectation and reality is enough to make you gag—and for a selective eater, this feeling happens all the time. While many assume taste is the primary driver of food acceptance, a child may reject a food before it ever reaches their mouth because of the way it looks, smells, or feels. Eating is a full sensory experience, and all five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—play a role in shaping a child’s appetite and willingness to try new foods. Let’s understand how these sensory inputs influence food acceptance to help make mealtimes a more positive experience for cautious eaters.

Sight: The first impression

Visual appeal is a powerful driver of food choices, especially for children. Bright colors, fun shapes, and well-arranged plates attract attention and increase the likelihood that a child will try a new food. Conversely, an unappealing presentation can discourage even the most adventurous eater. Children also associate certain colors with specific flavors—green might signal bitterness, while red often means sweet. Because first impressions matter, making food visually appealing can be the first step in encouraging kids to expand their palates.

Sound: How food talks to us

The sounds food makes as we eat it—whether a crunch, crackle, or squeak—set expectations for texture and enjoyment. This connection between sound and texture can also impact a child’s willingness to try new foods. A crisp carrot or a crunchy chip may feel more rewarding to eat than something soft or soggy.

Touch: The tricky texture

Even if a food smells delicious and looks great, texture can make or break a child’s willingness to eat it. Many children reject foods based on how they feel in their mouths—whether slimy, chewy, gritty, or too tough. This is especially true for selective eaters who may struggle with certain textures. A child might give up on a food, not because of the taste, but because it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Encouraging positive tactile interactions with food, both in and out of the kitchen, can help children become more comfortable with different textures over time.

Smell: The nose knows

The smell of fresh-baked bread or morning coffee often brings a sense of comfort before we even take a bite or sip. Similarly, the aroma of a meal can set expectations for how it will taste. Smell acts as a gatekeeper, preparing the brain for what's to come or warning it to stay away. For many selective eaters, a food's aroma can be the silent deal-breaker that adults might never consider.

Taste: The ultimate food critic

While taste often gets credited (or blamed) for food preferences, it's actually the grand finale of a complex sensory performance. When all senses align positively—when food looks appealing, sounds right, feels comfortable, and smells inviting—the child is more likely to enjoy the taste. However, children often need multiple exposures to a new food before they develop a preference for it.

Using food play

For children who are hesitant to try new foods, engaging their senses through play can make mealtime less intimidating and more fun. Here are some creative ways to incorporate food play into daily routines:

• Talk about food while eating: Ask questions like, “Is this carrot crunchy or soft?” or “How fast can you munch this lettuce?” to make meals interactive.
• Incorporate food outside mealtime: Let children use food in play—feeding a doll, setting up carrots as “logs” for dinosaurs, or using dried pasta in a sensory bin.
• Make it active: Turn food play into movement by using food in a race or tossing mini fruit into a basket to “score points.”

For families concerned about food waste, suggest using small portions, leftovers, or inexpensive ingredients like beans, pasta, and potatoes for food exploration.

Final thoughts

While taste often gets the blame when children reject food, it's clear that eating involves much more than just flavor. Instead of asking "Why won't they just try it?" we can investigate which of the five senses might be creating barriers to food acceptance. By understanding and respecting how each sense contributes to the eating experience, we can help guide children toward more comfortable and enjoyable mealtimes—moving beyond taste to embrace the full sensory journey of eating.