What do you do when you don't like vegtables!

arickim

You can have fruit as a substitute to veggies. Our son hates veggies and we always made him eat them, but the dr said we can just add more fruit for veggies. You can also try smoothieweb.com....hide them in and it might be good.

bcattoes

If you do not like any vegetables, this is likely a psychological response. Either an aversion to them because you see them as "diet food" or simply and aversion because you are not used to them. There are too much flavor and texture variety among the many, many vegetables out there for a person to really dislike all of them, if they give them a fair chance (i.e. don't taste them with a preconceived idea that you won't like them).

Eat them because your body needs them, and eventually you will like some of them. For the most part, taste is a learned behavior. There will always be some foods you don't like, but if you can learn to like, even prefer, some foods that might seem foreign to you now.

If you don't like a vegetable boiled or steamed, try them sir fried. If you don't like them stir fried, try them roasted. If you don't like them roasted, try them in a recipe (soup, stew, omelet, sauce).

ETA: Supplementing with juice or vitamin supplements is fine, but should not replace eating vegetables. You will not get the same benefits from some vitamins, minerals and antioxidents in pill form, and juice removes most of the beneficial fiber.

payupalice

It takes your tastebuds 3 weeks to learn to adjust to something. I used to hate lots of things that I eat today (beets, kale), that I even love to eat now.
Some people have great success with sauces - dressings, pasta sauces, dips
Some people have success with hiding veggies in things - smoothies (one fruit for every veggie, and you'll never taste the veg), omelettes, soups.
You can learn to like them!

Tishy78

He may reply still, but I have quite the picky hubby when it comes to veggies. In the end, it mostly comes down to texture. We've had the most luck with stuff I roast so that it is just barely cooked, or we leave it completely raw. He will also put spinach in his protein shakes.

Finally, a little parmesan cheese sprinkled on can go a long way!

bcattoes

Develop a taste for them. Sorry that sounds blunt, but nobody like vegetables when compared to a double cheeseburger.

Oh, sure they do!! I'd rather have most veggies over a double cheeseburger. Don't get me wrong, I like a cheeseburger, but I despise when there is too much meat. For me, a really good burger has a good balance between meat, bun and toppings. And while I might occasionally be more in the mood for a burger, most of the time I'd take my favorite veggie recipes over the burger.

pamelak5

I have been interested in roasting/broiling veggies, and I know this sounds dumb but I don't know how to go about doing it. Any tips/tricks/advice/recipes to share?

Depends on the vegetable - for broccoli, I like to chop them into small pieces (say, 1" at the top), toss with olive oil, little salt and pepper. spread on baking sheet. roast for 15 minutes at 400. stir. roast another 15. I like mine pretty brown. Seriously, I could eat so much of it. I like it with a little hot sauce or sweet chili sauce on the side (a little goes a long way!) I prepare cauliflower the same way. Asparagus, too. I find steamed vegetables pretty revolting, actually, especially when overcooked.

gingerveg

Maybe someone has already mentioned it, but if you don't have a grill pan buy one (they are like $20). If you are vegetarian (as I am) a grill pan is seriously a must own item. A grill pan offers a nice easy way to grill a small amount of something without firing up the grill.

Zucchini, squash, asparagus are my favorites to do this way: Garlic press a few cloves of garlic (or chop if you don't have a garlic press...but IMO you should get a press if you don't have one. I use mine for garlic and ginger) into a large freezer bag, add about teaspoon or 2 of healthy oil. Place washed sliced zuccini, squash or whole asparagus (cut the tough ends off) inside the bag and shake around covering veggies with garlic/oil mixture. You can let the veggies sit in there for a few hours or even days in the fridge. When ready to cook, heat up grill pan using med heat (splash a little water on it when it sizzles pan is at temperature). Lightly spray pan with low fat cooking oil place veggies on pan and let them cook (about 20-25 minutes each side until they get a little crispy on the ends. This is going to take longer than you think and you should turn on your stove fan). If they start to dry out spray (lightly) with cooking oil. These are the most delicious veggies you will ever have. I snack on these, use them as side dishes, chop them into different recipes and they are also really nice over salad.

One other way to get lots of veggies is to make a veggie soup. I try to make a batch from scratch once a week. Soup freezes very well. Other than that just be sure to slip fresh veggies into your food where you can (lettuce and sprouts in sandwiches, lots of cilantro in salsa etc.)

Also if you haven't tried Kale trips, then you haven't really eaten kale at it's best. I never liked kale until kale chips. Just be aware of your oil and salt intake.

pamelak5

Develop a taste for them. Sorry that sounds blunt, but nobody like vegetables when compared to a double cheeseburger.

Oh, sure they do!! I'd rather have most veggies over a double cheeseburger. Don't get me wrong, I like a cheeseburger, but I despise when there is too much meat. For me, a really good burger has a good balance between meat, bun and toppings. And while I might occasionally be more in the mood for a burger, most of the time I'd take my favorite veggie recipes over the burger.

I would take a pound of roasted broccoli over a double cheeseburger ANY day.

Steamed/raw broccoli? pass the burger, please!

freeli

Eat them with Bacon

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/salad-recipes/broccoli-salad

SarahJane0691

I hate most veggies!! I can only eat them if I 'disguise' them - so i make lots of soup and stirfrys!! Pretty much the only veg intake I get. I love fruit, but its the sugar and carbs in it that make me want to switch some out for veg...

bsgkid

Put the veggies through a juicer, hold your breath, and chug it down. :sick: Voila, your day's supply of veggies is done in a matter of seconds! :smokin:

healthyamberB

Not sure if this was mentioned but try V8 fusions. it's a serving of fruit and veggies but all you taste is the fruit

bacitracin

I like vegetables just fine, but I don't wanna waste the money when I can just buy more meat. I meet all my nutritional needs from animal sources.

souperficial

I've just been forcing myself to eat them. I'm really picky. The other day, I made myself eat beans. Lately, I've been slipping peppers into lots of the things that I eat. You just have to get over the mental block and then slowly start slipping more of what you dislike into what you're eating.

taunto

hide veggies. I make Indian and Italian cuisine at home mostly so theres alot of "liquidy" entrees prepared and its very easy to hide things. Making pasta? Put in some very very thinly sliced eggplant into your pasta sauce. Making curry. Put some okra in it. Making plain rice? Toss the rice with some shallots, tomatoes and black beans and corn. burgers? Put in some onions and herbs to intensify the flavor inside the meats and then load up the burger itself with some veggies and herbs

Soups. OMG soups. I basically toss whatever leftover veggies I got into my soup when I make one. Excellent way to empty out your fridges veggie container

amandavictoria80

I am watching what I eat and do not eat over my 1200 calories but I do not eat vegtables, I dislike them so much! I did try and eat Cauliflower last night with I don't believe its not butter but only got maybe 1/4 cup if that. I know when tomatoes are fresh I will try and eat them along with greenbeans if they are fresh! Any suggestions?

I would say try to experiment with cooking them different way. Herbs/Seasoning can be your best friend if you don't particularly love the taste of veggies. But they can grow on you, I'm proof. A year ago, I didn't like them. But now I can't live without them.

I also wanted to point out that cauliflower and tomatoes are great, but I would aim more for the green veggies. Darker veggies are the most nutritious.

Make sure you take a multivitamin to fill in all the gaps.

lroxey

my hubby and i don't like them much either but i have found a good way i use the steam bags of broc and cali. jun i make a ranch dip by using fage plain yogurt with the ranch powder it is an amazing substitute not to mention healthier for u plus ur gaining a probiotic.

amandavictoria80

Develop a taste for them. Sorry that sounds blunt, but nobody like vegetables when compared to a double cheeseburger. They will give you the bulk you need to stay satiated as well as give you all the vitamins and nutrients one needs.

I wouldn't say "nobody". I'm one that would definitely prefer a salad or broccoli stir fry over a cheeseburger any day.

amandavictoria80

I feel for you!

I truly hate most green vegetables and most of the time my gag reflex starts when I go near them haha...

I know this is bad though as greens are probably one of the most healthy things one can eat.

Lately, I have found a few things that work for better for me though...although calories go higher when prepared to my liking.

Lately I have been sauteeing string beans "lightly" in coconut oil.
I have also been able to stomach spinach salad with a non-vinegar (as I don't like vinegar either) dressing on salad.
Young early peas in a can...they are super sweet and salty.

These are just a few suggestions, they are obviously not as healthy as eating RAW.

Just wanted to point out that eating cooked or raw has nothing to do with the nutritional value of veggies.

VMarkV

To make vegetable I don't enjoy plain, I will add salt and some olive oil or egg yolk if needed for digestion

bcattoes

Just wanted to point out that eating cooked or raw has nothing to do with the nutritional value of veggies.

That's not always true. Heat destroys some nutrients, so overcooking vegetables can lower the nutritional value. For most green vegetables it's best not to cook them beyond the "bright green" stage to avoid destroying nutrients. But is some cases, such a tomatoes and some root vegetables, the nutritional content actually increases with cooking.

VMarkV

Just wanted to point out that eating cooked or raw has nothing to do with the nutritional value of veggies.

That's not always true. Heat destroys some nutrients, so overcooking vegetables can lower the nutritional value. For most green vegetables it's best not to cook them beyond the "bright green" stage to avoid destroying nutrients. But is some cases, such a tomatoes and some root vegetables, the nutritional content actually increases with cooking.

About the tomatoes, that is actually incorrect. The nutrients/antioxidants just become more dense/concentrated giving results that would appear to make cooking tomatos more beneficial than eating them raw.

Just eat both raw and cooked vegetables daily...there are advantages to both cooking and eating vegetables raw.

sgrinavi

It's not against the law to dis-like vegetables. As long as you're reaching your goals and are happy......

bcattoes

Just wanted to point out that eating cooked or raw has nothing to do with the nutritional value of veggies.

That's not always true. Heat destroys some nutrients, so overcooking vegetables can lower the nutritional value. For most green vegetables it's best not to cook them beyond the "bright green" stage to avoid destroying nutrients. But is some cases, such a tomatoes and some root vegetables, the nutritional content actually increases with cooking.

About the tomatoes, that is actually incorrect. The nutrients/antioxidants just become more dense/concentrated giving results that would appear to make cooking tomatos more beneficial than eating them raw.

Just eat both raw and cooked vegetables daily...there are advantages to both cooking and eating vegetables raw.

Source: http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/02/4.25.02/tomato_research.html

Cooking tomatoes -- such as in spaghetti sauce -- makes the fruit heart-healthier and boosts its cancer-fighting ability. All this, despite a loss of vitamin C during the cooking process, say Cornell food scientists. The reason: cooking substantially raises the levels of beneficial compounds called phytochemicals.

Writing in the April 17 issue of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Cornell assistant professor of food science, notes, "This research demonstrates that heat processing actually enhanced the nutritional value of tomatoes by increasing the lycopene content -- a phytochemical that makes tomatoes red -- that can be absorbed by the body, as well as the total antioxidant activity. The research dispels the popular notion that processed fruits and vegetables have lower nutritional value than fresh produce."

celtsguy81

Bump!

I also hate veggies like nobody's business. I never was coerced or forced into eating them as a kid and never even remotely developed a taste for them. Trust me when I say I am probably the pickiest eater you could imagine in the veggie dept.

I have found, though, that steamed carrots (with spices) or steam broccoli (with spices and some spray-on Can't Believe It's Not Butter) seem to do the trick. I don't LIKE them, but I don't mind them. It just stinks because they take a little time to prepare right. But give them a shot!

SunshineT83

MASH THEM! With a potato or a sweet potato. Mmmmm.

^^^^This is actually a GREAT idea, play around with spice combinations and your could have some magic happen.

VMarkV

Just wanted to point out that eating cooked or raw has nothing to do with the nutritional value of veggies.

That's not always true. Heat destroys some nutrients, so overcooking vegetables can lower the nutritional value. For most green vegetables it's best not to cook them beyond the "bright green" stage to avoid destroying nutrients. But is some cases, such a tomatoes and some root vegetables, the nutritional content actually increases with cooking.

About the tomatoes, that is actually incorrect. The nutrients/antioxidants just become more dense/concentrated giving results that would appear to make cooking tomatos more beneficial than eating them raw.

Just eat both raw and cooked vegetables daily...there are advantages to both cooking and eating vegetables raw.

Source: http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/02/4.25.02/tomato_research.html

Cooking tomatoes -- such as in spaghetti sauce -- makes the fruit heart-healthier and boosts its cancer-fighting ability. All this, despite a loss of vitamin C during the cooking process, say Cornell food scientists. The reason: cooking substantially raises the levels of beneficial compounds called phytochemicals.

Writing in the April 17 issue of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Cornell assistant professor of food science, notes, "This research demonstrates that heat processing actually enhanced the nutritional value of tomatoes by increasing the lycopene content -- a phytochemical that makes tomatoes red -- that can be absorbed by the body, as well as the total antioxidant activity. The research dispels the popular notion that processed fruits and vegetables have lower nutritional value than fresh produce."

Cooking food does not simply increase nutritional content...a food can't gain more antioxidants simply from cooking it. What cooking actually does is increase the bioavailability of what nutrients happen to already be in the food...it simply makes what nutrients are present more available to your body to absorb.