I have a three-year-old daughter who's just reaching an age where she'll refuse food. She'll put up with carrots -- even the occasional broccoli sprout -- but try to give her spinach, green beans, or cauliflower, and you'll wind up with an unhappy toddler.

Apparently this fear of certain foods, called neophobia, is partially my fault (and partially her mother's) -- as, according to scientists, it's hereditary. A new study concluded that a person's genetic make up is much more likely to effect his or her food preferences than their environment.

But even if your little angel kicks and screams every time you bring brussels sprouts to the table, don't worry -- they'll grow out of it eventually. In fact, most people like anything after they've tried it about 10 times -- so persistence is key.

Although, take it from a father -- that knowledge may be comforting in the long run, but it doesn't help when you're stuck at the table, glued to your chair because you said "no one gets up until someone eats all her peas."