Psychology of Food and Eating (broadcast Friday, November 28th, 2008)

Why are mom's mashed potatoes just what the holiday meal needs? phot by Flickr user jslander

It's officially the holiday season, time for turkey, mashed potatoes, and a few more inches on our waistlines. In this segment, we'll take a look at how mood, memories and even smell influence what we put on our plates--and into our mouths.

Ira talks with food psychologist Brian Wansink about why we crave specific foods during the holidays and how our brains trick our stomachs into eating even when we're full. Rachel Herz, an expert on smell, explains how our food preferences are linked to aroma and why smells often trigger such intense memories. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

Brian Wansink
Director, Cornell Food and Brand Lab
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York Author, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think

Rachel Herz
Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Brown University Medical School
Providence, RI
Author, The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell

Geno Nosenzo
Executive Chef
Wegmans Supermarket
Allentown, PA