Sensory Elements Can Set the Tone For Mealtimes

Since it is springtime, we thought it would be a good time to share some infotainment relative to various sensory elements that can set the tone for mealtimes.

Those sensory elements can include, but are not limited to, ones which are visual in nature, or are from sound, are aromatic, pertain to taste, or are textural, all of which can influence the tone at mealtimes.

Sensory elements may interplay in multiple ways in terms of mealtime atmosphere as well, but that’s a topic for another time.

These principles can be especially beneficial to keep in mind if you have any family members or friends who are particularly sensitive to light, sound, smell, taste, or texture or otherwise cope with life issues such as those involved with hyperactivity or autism spectrum disorder.

You can apply what is known about sensory elements when setting the stage for any dining scenario as these principles can apply when preparing mealtimes for your own family unit or when you are involved in setting the stage for any get dining together(s) with others.

Likely you are already familiar with the idea that sensory elements in an environment can have either a calming or a stimulating effect at mealtimes. We’ll mention some specifics we hope you’ll find useful.

Melissa Gutschall, PhD, RD, LDN of Appalachian State University shared some thoughts on this topic during the North Carolina Dietetic Association Annual Mtg this past March 2013 and we know how much dietetic educators like to get their message out to the public.

We’ve added a few of our thoughts and here’s a joint perspective on some sensory elements. We posted these back in April to our Facebook page, but since some folks don’t utilize Facebook, we did want to be sure to mention them here on the blog site as well. You can find mention of some of these elements all over the www at various sites, however, we just thought you might enjoy seeing them organized in this fashion.

Calming vs. Stimulating  Sensory Elements

Think about the differences between a vibrant club setting with loud music/noise, lots of flashing lights, lots of colors, lots of vibrancy and a fast pace vs. a quieter setting with adequate lighting, more muted and/or monochromatic color schemes, with perhaps only subtle music that is typically only playing in the background.

Anyone who has a friend or family member who is sensitive to stimulating elements will appreciate how promoting calmer elements instead of stimulating ones can make a world of difference in successful, happier meal times.

Keep those elements in mind when you set the stage for mealtimes in your own home environment if you want your family to not feel rushed during meals, but instead engage in more actual conversations. Environment matters when you want to promote positive behavior change.

Calming vs. Stimulating  Visual Sensory Elements

Known Calming Visual Elements Include:

• Fewer Details
• Larger Shapes
• Daylight Type Lighting which can be dimmed down to be less bright
• Less Movement in the Environment
• Monochromatic Color Schemes
• Muted Colors
• Slower Movement in the Environment

Known Stimulating Visual Elements (which can be distracting) Include:

• Brightness of Light and Colors
• Fluorescent Lighting
• Many Details of Shapes
• Multi-colors
• More Movement in the Environment
• Rapid Movement in the Environment
• Smaller Shapes
• Total Darkness (it tends in some instances to hyperstimulate some persons senses putting them on edge)

Just keep in mind that sometimes less stimulation is really better for more peaceful mealtimes.

Calming vs. Stimulating Sound Sensory Elements

Known Calming Mealtime Sounds Include:

• Background Music in Minor Keys
• Background Music Using Genres of Classical, Country, Folk, Rhythm & Blues
• Background Music with Slow Rhythms
• Background Music with Soft Rhythms
• Table Noise Dampening by Dining at a Table Covered with a Table Pad and “Cloth” (Including Wipe Clean Type)
• Quieter Food Items
• Quieter Table Settings Including Quieter Table Utensils

Known Stimulating Mealtime Sounds Include:

• Active Chewing and Lots of It; Slurping Noises
• Background Music that is Erratic
• Background Music that is Fast
• Background Music that is Loud
• Background Music in Major Keys
• Food Items that Make Loud Noises (Crack, Pop, Snap)
• Music Genres of Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal, Rap, and Rock ‘n Roll
• Scraping or Clashing/Clanging of Table Serving Utensils

Calming vs. Stimulating Aromatic Sensory Elements

Known Calming Aromatic Scents:

• Apple (Green Apple)
• Bergamot
• Chamomile (German or Roman Chamomile)
• Coconut
• Clove
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Rose
• Sage (Clary Sage)
• Vanilla

Known Stimulating Aromatic Scents:

• Ammonia
• Cinnamon
• Citrus (Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange)
• Coffee (Fresh Brewed)
• Evergreen Branches
• Jasmine
• Mint (note that Peppermint sometimes can reduce appetite perceptions, so may also be considered calming)

Calming vs. Stimulating Taste Sensory Elements

Known calming Taste elements include food items that are perceived as having a sensation of being:

• Fat-like
• Salty
• Sweet
• Umami (think Savory)

Known Stimulating Taste elements include food items that are perceived as having a sensation of being:

• Bitter
• Sour

Note that although this element actually deals with pain thresholds & perceptions, some individuals will in the same breath mention this sensory element as well:

• Spicy Hot

Calming vs. Stimulating Textural Sensory Elements

Known Calming Textural Elements Include Food Items That are:

• Cool
• Gummy
• Silky
• Soft
• Thin
• Warm

Known Stimulating Textural Elements Include Food Items That are:

• Cold
• Crunchy
• Gooey
• Hard
• Hot (as in both temperature and also in “pain” type hot perception)
• Thick

We’ve only scratched the surface in this brief series on sensory elements, but hopefully we’ve piqued your interest nonetheless. There is much more depth involved, needless to say.

Another time we might delve further into some of these areas.

For now, if you have any family members with concerns for possibly autism spectrum disorder, etc., you can check out some resources such as a book by Elizabeth Strickland, MS, RD, LD from 2009 called Eating for Autism or material from Judy Converse MPH, RD, LD called Special Needs Kids Eat Right. You may occasionally also see some pointers mentioned on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Kids Eat Right site.

Meanwhile, have a great Spring!