We all know picky eaters in our families or friends. They push the broccoli away or focus their attention on gets in foods. Of course functional medicine tells us that gut bacteria and yeast influence such preferences, but this research pulls interesting connections out of genome studies.
Researchers compared food preferences and dietary patterns to gene testing and found some linkages. Now understand, this is not a locked in situation justifying a no broccoli lifestyle by your kiddos. These are only correlations at this that influences but does not guarantee a picky palate.
Gene SNPS uncovered in the work influenced avoidance of different flavors such as bitter or fat. They also discussed potential mechanisms for the preferences.
Now, before you decide to let your kids off the hook for their veggies, I’ll slip on my functional MD coat and add my thoughts to the study. First, having a genetic snp like this does not get you off the hook for the necessary nutrients found in veggies or give a free pass on eating high fat foods at the local fast food joint. It may explain your disgust at bitter veggies, but your metabolism is still like the of us.
So, if you find this gene is ruining your whole 30 diet plan, consider alternatives. I encourage patients to listen to their bodies and teach them how to interpret these signals for lifestyle adjustments. Utilizing this awareness or this genetic information helps us be better stewards of our health without making us miserable choking down the kale. Maybe a veggie green powder swallowed quickly and hidden in a fruit smoothie would be a more enjoyable option for you or your picky eater children. As a parent, you are still responsible for getting your child’s nutrition in order whether they ask for seconds or not.
We at Sanctuary Functional utilize the best of medicine and the best of clinical wisdom to guide patients toward living a healthier more abundant life.
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/2/153
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
