What do ya do when you don't like fruits and veggies?

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If you hate the texture of spinach, maybe you should try just barely stir-frying it in a pam-coated pan (don't add any extra oil, and don't cook it very long). I don't like it out of the can or steamed but I love it this way.

OP:
You might try eating frozen vegetables while they are still frozen. My kids would always eat them this way (I like many this way as well; for many years, it was the only way I could eat peas). Fresh, uncooked green beans or bell peppers are pretty good, too; not much flavor, but very crispy. I also like uncooked acorn squash (can't eat that any other way, but it's great raw).

If regular vegetables/fruits aren't doing it for you, try some of the ones that are unusual for those of us in North America -- jicama, edamame, japanese eggplant, persimmon, star fruit, lychee, mango...any of that stuff at the store that doesn't look normal to you, take a bit home and try it.

In most countries juice counts as one serving per day regardless of how much you drink, I don't know why people persist with this myth that it is as beneficial as whole produce. A ton of nutrients are wasted if you discard the pulp, all you do is concentrate the sugars. Pureed/ smoothie/ blended counts as multiple servings if you eat multiple different fruits or veggies - but if you eat three servings of the same thing it counts as one.

I am so excited this topic exists!

I am trying to learn to like veggies. I now can choke down green beans, broccoli, and salad w/ a good bit of dressing on it (which i know defeats the purpose.) I have given up on fruit though. The wet, soft consistency just does me in!!!!!

Can't wait to read about more ideas from people though to get my proper nutrition in!

A blanket dislike of the entire category of 'vegetables' is extemely abnormal, and I suggest therapy / professional help.

You're not likely to get results posting on this forum for something like this.

(Unless you misrepresented the depth of your 'veggie' loathing.)

:laugh: Maybe it's a phobia?

Are you NOT healthy? Besides weight, any other health issues?? If weight is your only concern, just do the best you can -- that is, eat what you like, but try to choose healthy food over junk food. And, stay within your calorie goal.

I wouldn't worry about cramming down fruits or veggies. Take vitamins to supplement whatever you might be missing. Talk to your Dr. or see a nutritionist. I just don't think this is a big deal.

Should you have fruits and vegs? Yes, of course. But I don't think you need to torture yourself.

If there are other health issues, and you believe, or your Dr. says, that the problems are linked to lack of F's and V's, then I'd feel differently.

Good luck.

I also do not eat veggies or fruits as a general rule. The texture makes me gag and sometimes throw up. It's been that way ever since I was 10 years old. Despite all of the logical arguments of "do it anyway", and "grow up - veggies are a part of life," I just don't do it. Is that part of the reason I'm overweight? Sure - because I am so a meat and potatoes kind of girl. Plus now I have the added burden of being of blood thinners for the rest of my life and veggies and fruits would absolutely throw my numbers way off. So I have to start small.

This thread reminds me that I really have a difficult time tolerating texture, but perhaps if I start off small, I can make some positive veggie changes. It's not going to happen overnight. Or even in a month or so. But perhaps there is hope. Start small but definitely start. Maybe, Goofy, you can do that too?

Peas are the WORST! Canned fruits are sooooooo mushy I don't buy them. I've tried smoothies but that is only so-so and so time consuming. Soups are ok, never been a big fan of those either but have been trying to make them at home so the sodium content is lower and I know what's going into them.
Thanks for commenting tho. I will continue to try and add veggies in foods.

Smoothies don't have to be time consuming. Buy frozen fruits or canned fruits (packed in water). Add a handful of fruit to a blender, add in some water, ice, and some yogurt and blend. Takes me less than 3 minutes to make mine.

I don't particularly like veggies either but since I want to live a long and healthy life I eat them. I will not eat frozen though, and often times I eat them raw dipped in a little yogurt ranch dressing or in a salad. That's the only way my kids will eat them too. I say suck it up and just think of your health! Also, have you ever tried a honeycrisp apple? They taste like candy...I can't imagine anyone turning one down. Experiment!

I prefer junk, too, but I found that fruits and veggies are easier to reach for if I think of them as sweets.
Try and find the sweeter items. Here are some suggestions:
- grape tomatoes are great as an at-work nibble. If you have "hand to mouth disease" (go through a bowl of M&Ms without noticing), these are a surprisingly interesting substitute. Plus if you like popping bubble wrap, these pop too!
- Sweet potatoes. These microwave up really nicely. Drizzle with some honey or maple syrup if you want them sweeter, or just peel and eat.
-butternut squash. You can buy them pre-cubed at the supermarket. Steam. they are REALLy sweet, and if you want sweeter, again, honey, sugar, or maple syrup.
- Strawberries. Another good hand-to-mouth disease item. I have a tub next to me right now, and I'm nibbling as i work. They also are filling, so the cravings go down.
On the savory side:
- Frozen veggies with cheese sauce. At 60 calories a serving (or 180 cals per package), they work if you just can't face an undressed veggie.
The idea is not to eat EVERy fruit or veggie - just find the few you can tolerate, and start with those. Eventually, you might even find yourself branching out to others.

Good luck, and feel free to friend me.