Consciously Eaten Podcast

This is a free preview episode of Consciously Eaten - a private podcast exclusively for the Just One More Bite Premium members. To listen to all current and future episodes become a paid subscriber here.

---

Episode Description

Ever wondered why potato chips are always advertised with that distinctive crunch sound? In this free preview episode, we explore the fascinating world of "sonic seasoning" – how what we hear dramatically influences our perception of flavor, freshness, and satisfaction in ways we rarely notice but consistently experience.

Key Topics Covered

• The science behind "sonic seasoning" and cross-modal perception

• How the sounds foods make affect our perception of freshness and quality

• The surprising impact of environmental soundscapes on taste

• Practical techniques for enhancing eating satisfaction through sound awareness

• Simple strategies for using acoustic awareness to transform everyday meals

The Science of Sonic Seasoning

• Sounds influence flavor perception by up to 15% (equivalent to adding sugar or salt)

• The auditory system interacts with eating through:

  • Food-generated sounds (crunch, sizzle, fizz)

  • Environmental sounds (ambient noise, music)

  • Bone conduction of sound inside our heads

The Crunch Factor

• Crunchiness communicates information about freshness and quality

• Food manufacturers engineer specific sounds into processed foods

• Enhancing crunch sounds can make identical foods taste 15% fresher

• Even non-obvious foods contain subtle sound elements that affect satisfaction

Environmental Soundscapes

• Moderate noise (70 decibels) can enhance taste perception

• Loud environments (85+ decibels) suppress sweetness and enhance bitterness

• High-pitched sounds enhance sweetness perception

• Low-pitched sounds amplify bitterness and umami flavors

• Silence enhances overall taste sensitivity and texture awareness

Practical Sound Strategies

1. The Crunch Contrast Technique: Include varied acoustic profiles in meals

2. The Environmental Sound Adjustment: Experiment with different sound backgrounds

3. The Sound Mindfulness Practice: Eat in complete silence for 5 minutes daily

Weekly Challenge

1. Conduct a "sound audit" of one meal daily, noting all sounds involved

2. Try at least one meal in complete silence, focusing on food acoustics

3. Experiment with adding crunchy elements to typically quiet foods

Journal Prompts

1. Which food sounds do you find most satisfying or appealing?

2. How does your eating environment's soundscape affect your experience?

3. What foods disappoint you when they don't sound as expected?

Join Our Heartbeat Community

This free preview episode gives you a taste of what our Just One More Bite subscribers experience weekly and gifts you a free week in the paid tier of our community.

Our Heartbeat Community offers:

• Direct access to Jenny through private messaging

• Exclusive monthly workshops and challenges

• Personalized meal planning guidance

• A supportive community of like-minded members

---

Scientific Research & Further Reading

Spence, C. (2015). Eating with our ears: Assessing the importance of the sounds of consumption on our perception and enjoyment of multisensory flavour experiences. Flavour, 4(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/2044-7248-4-3

Zampini, M., & Spence, C. (2004). The role of auditory cues in modulating the perceived crispness and staleness of potato chips. Journal of Sensory Studies, 19(5), 347-363. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-459x.2004.080403.x

Woods, A. T., Poliakoff, E., Lloyd, D. M., Kuenzel, J., Hodson, R., Gonda, H., Batchelor, J., Dijksterhuis, G. B., & Thomas, A. (2011). Effect of background noise on food perception. Food Quality and Preference, 22(1), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2010.07.003

Crisinel, A. S., & Spence, C. (2010). As bitter as a trombone? How music can influence the perceived taste of beer. i-Perception, 1(3), 103-106. https://doi.org/10.1068/i0383

Yan, K. S., & Dando, R. (2015). A crossmodal role for audition in taste perception. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 41(3), 590-596. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000044

Spence, C. (2012). Auditory contributions to flavour perception and feeding behaviour. Physiology & Behavior, 107(4), 505-515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.04.022

Herz, Rachel. Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food. W.W. Norton & Company, 2018.