Should sensual pleasure be actively avoided, rather than simply not sought? I am particularly interested in regards to taste I understand that the active seeking of sensual pleasure is not seen as good, but it's not clear to me whether it should be actively avoided.

I was preparing some noodles to eat this morning and inside the pack was a sachet of flavouring. I pondered upon this for a moment; should I add it to the food?

The following thoughts occurred in favour of adding the flavour:


I am eating the noodles for the purpose of feeding the body, not for the sensual pleasure. Why not add it?
Deliberately depriving oneself of the little sensual pleasure there is in a meal could be regarded as self-mortification.


The following thoughts occurred in opposition of adding the flavour:


Does the very notion of considering this only highlight my craving of sensual pleasure?
Why should I feel compelled to add the flavouring for reasons other than nutritional value?


I am interested in whether any Buddhist teachings directly address this sensual pleasure in such a situation, and more broadly whether sensual pleasures should be actively avoided in such a manner.
Reading your post, i remembered the Middle Way or the Noble Eightfold Path as a path of moderation, between the extremes, any sensorial pleasure provokes addiction if not moderated.
In the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, it reads:

these two extremes ought not to be practiced by one who has gone forth from the household life. (What are the two?) There is addiction to indulgence of sense-pleasures, which is low, coarse, the way of ordinary people, unworthy, and unprofitable; and there is addiction to self-mortification, which is painful, unworthy, and unprofitable.
Avoiding both these extremes, the Tathagata (the Perfect One) has realized the Middle Path

Depending on the spiritual tradition, some are more strict on interpreting moderation, and some like my own have a stronger focus on the self conscience: If you are mindful your unconscious urges will be apparent to you, and you will know what causes suffering to you and what does not.
Having said so, Monastics were advised in the 8 precepts not to indulge in any sensual pleasures, because I believe Budha regarded that as a problem if one was to attain enlightenment since it is so prone to cravings which will result in suffering.
In the Kamma Sutta:

If one, longing for sexual pleasure, achieves it, yes, he's enraptured at heart. The mortal gets what he wants. But if for that person — longing, desiring — the pleasures diminish, he's shattered, as if shot with an arrow.

For lay people it is recommended in the 5 precepts to abstain from sexual misconduct, which along with some guidelines more or less sprinkled in the Buddhist literature, I believe it should be interpreted in light of cultural and traditional practices, or even the self own conscience.
Citations from here:
Noble Eightfold Path
Buddhism and sexuality
Five Precepts