Posted by lae2 on December 04, 2008 at 02:08:57:
A content laboratory rat with a healthy homeostatic balance shuns new types of food. Instead, they eat their usual rat chow and reject all else. They are said to be neophobic. Similarly, human beings, despite all the carrying on about exotic and expensive meals, become comfortable with a particular cuisine. Rolaids are tucked away to temper those exotic meals. A content human being with a healthy homeostatic balance secretly shuns new types of food. The are neophobics in the closet.
Animals in homeostatic distress and malaise become neophilc. They are much more open to new foods. The malnourished infant is more likely to eat lead tainted paint chips than is the healthy infant. The pregnant woman may crave foods never before ingested.
Thankfully, evolutionary heritage guides the new neophiliac to nibbling rather than voracious consumption (pregnant woman excepted).
"Understand Mr. Maven?" "I know you won't; but if you disagree....."