Food for Health – Teaching Taste: Seven Dimensions of Taste for Sustainable Health in Home Economics Education

Karen Wistoft

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference abstract for conferenceResearch

Abstract

Traditionally, in the medical health context, taste is perceived having a gatekeeper function of taste buds to avoid uneatable or potentially toxic food and on dysfunctional sense of taste. The idea is that our ability to taste helps us avoid uneatable or potentially toxic food. Further, there is focus on taste disorders and their potential treatment. However, our ability to taste has a much broader function than avoiding illness. It is also the precondition for experiencing food deliciousness and pleasure, which is equally important in a sustainable health promotion context. This paper demonstrates a way in which the taste of food can be systematically described, including a system of seven taste dimensions, all of which are important in the context of using food for health promotion, prevention and treatment of diseases. The research combines theoretical and empirical approaches, including taste philosophy, systems theory, didactics and empirical studies with a focus on effectiveness research in Home Economics Education. We have identified seven dimensions of taste and developed an empirical theory based on this system of taste dimensions. The paper is based on two concepts of health and illustrate a way, in which food tastiness can be systematically described, including the system of seven taste dimensions, all of which are important in a) the context of prevention of diseases and b) sustainable health promotion and c) sustainable health education according to Home Economic Education. The aim is to support the understanding of the importance of food tastiness for health in Home Economics Education and other food educations, and to develop a research-based vocabulary of taste in order to strengthen sustainable discussions about taste among and health professionals and Home Economics teachers: talking and teaching taste for sustainable health promotion and education.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date30 Apr 2022
Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2022
EventIFHE XXIV WORLD CONGRESS: Home Economics Soaring Toward Sustainable Development - Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Duration: 6 Sept 202210 Sept 2022
Conference number: XXIV
https://web.cvent.com/event/ec0dcde7-3a47-494c-ba86-269439400fa3/summary

Conference

ConferenceIFHE XXIV WORLD CONGRESS
NumberXXIV
LocationAtlanta
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityGeorgia
Period06/09/202210/09/2022
Internet address

Keywords

  • Food
  • Health promotion
  • Taste dimensions
  • Taste didactic

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