Picky Eating Begins in Womb: Expert Tips to Broaden Palate

Nutritional neuroscientist shares insights on how food preferences develop in children

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A nutritional neuroscientist and parent discusses how food preferences develop in children, explaining the roles of genetics, conditioning, and exposure. The article provides tips for parents on helping picky eaters expand their palates, including giving children repeated opportunities to taste new foods without pressure.

Why it matters

Understanding the factors that shape children's food preferences can help parents encourage healthy and diverse eating habits from an early age. Picky eating is a common phase, but parents can take steps to broaden their children's palates.

The details

The article explains that while genes can influence innate preferences for sweet and bitter tastes, environmental factors like classical conditioning play a larger role in shaping food preferences. Babies begin learning about flavors in the womb, and positive associations with foods can increase liking, while negative experiences can decrease it. The author recommends that parents provide repeated exposure to new foods without pressure, as it can take many tries before a child accepts a new food.

  • In the early 1980s, psychologist Leann Birch conducted studies showing that people develop food preferences through classical conditioning.
  • In a classic study by biopsychologist Julie Mennella, pregnant moms who drank carrot juice had babies who were more accepting of carrot-flavored cereal.

The players

Kathleen Keller

A nutritional neuroscientist, professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State, and parent who has spent her professional and personal life studying why children eat the foods they do.

Sally

An 8-year-old food-adventurous child in the article's example family.

Billy

A 4-year-old picky eater in the article's example family.

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What they’re saying

“As a nutritional neuroscientist and a parent, I have spent the better part of my professional and personal life thinking about why children eat the foods they do.”

— Kathleen Keller, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State (Mirage News)

The takeaway

By understanding the factors that shape children's food preferences, including genetics, conditioning, and exposure, parents can take steps to encourage healthy and diverse eating habits in their kids from an early age.