Hot Topics: ‘Muchies’ Mirror Our Inner Selves… Really?

The foods we choose may tell us more about ourselves than one may think.  According to Dr. Adam Hirsch, neurologist, director of the Chicago-based Smell & Taste Treatment Foundation and author of What Flavor is Your Personality, your typical go-to foods reveal a great deal about your character.  There is a reason why George W. Bush loves PB&J sandwiches, why Oprah prefers potato chips and Mel Gibson enjoys jellybeans – and a reason why I hoard ice cream??  I read on to hear out research. 


Hirsch claims that there is a direct, anatomical link between the limbic lobe of the brain (the emotional center) and the gustatory and olfactory cortex (taste & smell regions of brain).  This isn’t new news as cultural anthropologists have been studying the consumption patterns of people to uncover a deeper understanding of how societys function.  Hirsch discusses how in the business world, food is the gift people give.  “If you want to engender positive feelings, give someone food.  They are unlikely to return it.  When they do get around to eating the gift, and if it is a food item they like, they will associate the positive experience with the giver.” So, Dr. Hirsch, are you saying we can all be bribed with food?  I think it may be time for all the brownnosers out there to take some notes – an apple won’t get you anywhere, unless of course, that is your teacher’s favorite food! 


The “Avocation as an Indication of Snack Food Hedonics” studied key characteristics based on peoples’  preferences for nuts, potato chips, pretzels and crackers.  People who are easy-going, empathetic and understanding go for nuts, overachievers and the über competitive reach for potato chips like “lawyers, tennis pros, and CEOs because they can be more aggressive and driven,” according to Hirsch.   Managers who are constantly looking for stimulation and are good at delegating tasks eat pretzels.  Crackers appeal to risk takers like “Salespeople, stockbrokers and race car drivers.  And apparently, pretzel people are compatible with cracker people. 


What about the fruit and veggie lovers?  Hirsch says fruit and veggie lovers possess inherently different qualities than those who prefer salty snacks.  Fruit types are strong-minded and natural leaders.  Vegetable people are introspective and aware of the needs of others. 


Food seems to be the common thread that runs throughout all cultures and holds them together.  “If you want to create a more cohesive work unit, give employees food as opposed to other things, which can lead to group separation,”  Hirsch says.  Food absolutely brings people together – it certainly is the incentive that brings my family together at the same time, same place at 7pm.  I will admit to feeling overwhelmed with excitement at my internship when there is leftover food from meetings left out in the kitchen… I wonder what that says about my personality. 


I am pretty intrigued by his research and may give his book a read.  For more words from Hirsch, check out this article from CBS news.com.