So this summer, I’m studying abroad in London, which is freaking GREAT because people expect you to drink beer and eat fish and chips–alcohol, fried food, and more fried food–what else could a college student want? (Though admittedly, I haven’t really consumed a lot of the former, or the latter. *Enter lesson about making good choices for your health and wallet here.* Yeah, I know, I’m not fun.)

cravings

Gif courtesy of giphy.com

But I digress.

The other day, I went to the Science Museum London (which is free) and saw a really cool temporary exhibit on food cravings (also free).

cravings

Photo courtesy of artrep1.com

This exhibit teaches about a lot of things, like how utensils, colors and metals can affect taste, and how what a mother’s diet is while pregnant can affect her kid’s likes and dislikes after birth. I also learned that the “brain” in your gut that tells you when you’re hungry and full. Who knew we had brains in our guts?! Wtf?

cravings

Gif courtesy of giphy.com

Oh and get this too–the type of gut bacteria someone has can affect whether they’re obese or not (this is where the gross part comes in). How do scientists analyze this gut bacteria?: poop. Glad I’m not the scientist with that job. ‘I analyze poop for a living’ probably isn’t a great convo starter.

cravings

Photo courtesy of londonist.com

The exhibit also has a Cravings Commander quiz; it asks you your opinion on potential food-related policies. I got Champion for Choice. So, in short, if you’re a nerd like me, or even if you aren’t, and you get a chance to check out this exhibition before it closes in January 2016, you should. Remember, it’s free. But not the getting to London part. For that, you’re on your own.