Research shows picky eaters are the most sensitive tasters, provides new hope to frustrated mothers everywhere.

NAPA, Calif., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children who are picky eaters often have highly sensitive palates with heightened perception of bitterness. As a result they will typically avoid healthy vegetables while gravitating to salty and fatty foods thus developing a host of life-long, unhealthy eating habits that may result in higher risks of disease, obesity, and cancer. They may also be more likely to end up with diminished confidence and low self-esteem, according to Dr. Virginia Utermohlen.

The solution for preparing kid-friendly foods lies in a technique called "flavor balancing" developed by her research partner, Master of Wine and chef Tim Hanni. Says Utermohlen, "I am a highly sensitive taster myself; I was, and still am, a very picky eater and never have been able to eat green beans or many other vegetables. When I tried some fresh green beans prepared with Tim's flavor balancing technique I polished off a whole plate full!"

Utermohlen is a pediatrician, researcher and recently retired professor in the Cornell University Division of Nutritional Sciences, who studies how taste and smell sensitivity are related to personality, food choice, eating attitudes and behavior, and choice of profession. Tim Hanni MW is the founder of the Napa Seasoning Company, a trained chef and Master of Wine who studies how sensory sensitivity variables affect consumer wine and food preferences. Utermohlen and Hanni teamed up two years ago to conduct deeper research on the role of sensory physiology in shaping human food and beverage preferences, behaviors and even personality traits. Their research not only shows that picky eaters crave salt, love sweets and avoid bitter foods and beverages, but that these picky eaters grow up feeling embarrassed about their preferences and often alienated or even punished at the table. Says Hanni, "It is time we learned to better understand and cultivate, not punish, young palates."

Note: Utermohlen and Hanni are available for interviews or to write articles so that frustrated mothers can learn how to identify the traits of the bitter-sensitive child and learn simple ways to prepare food that will cultivate their palates. These tips will increase the quality of foods the picky eater will eat, establish better long-term diet patterns and even provide a stronger sense of self-worth with psychological benefits well past their developmental years. The bonus is that adult readers will also discover many things about themselves that will alleviate the anguish of years feeling guilty about their food preferences and diet along with great culinary tips that will help them enjoy a wider variety of more healthy foods.

CONTACT: Tim Hanni MW, 707-337-0328, 707-337-0327, tim@napaseasoning.com

SOURCE Tim Hanni MW

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