Biological and Experiential Factors That Impact the Acceptance of Complementary Foods

Young children’s inborn chemosensory responses predispose them to prefer sweet and salty tastes. Early flavor experiences beginning in utero and continuing through flavors transmitted from the mother’s diet in the amniotic fluid and human milk, infant formula, and then complementary foods, can shape acceptance of a wider variety of flavors. Repeated exposure to diverse tastes and textures, combined with the social context of feeding and family modeling, familiarizes children with different sensory properties and encourages dietary variety. This article discusses how biological and experiential influences work together to establish healthy eating patterns in infancy, with long-term implications for nutrition, health, and life expectancy.