Halp! I hate the taste of pretty much all "healthy" foods...
MalachiDraven
Posts: 2 Member
Okay so, I just signed up to this website. Pretty happy I found it, hopefully it'll help me. I've tried to lose weight in the past but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to nutrition or fitness.
My biggest problem, by far, is that I have the tastebuds of a 9 year old. Now, I'm 23 years old, but the only foods I eat are horrible processed foods like mac 'n cheese, poptarts, cereal, and dinosaur chicken nuggets (nope, not joking).
I need some advice on "retraining" my tastebuds. I WANT to like foods like celery, broccoli, whole grain bread, etc. But they just taste so awful! I've read that I can slowly start to change my tastes by cutting back bit by bit on sugary and salty foods. I'm going to try that, but in the meantime, does anybody have any advice on how to eat healthier despite loathing traditional healthy foods?
Also, the main reason that I've grown so accustomed to such unhealthy and processed foods is because they're so easy to prepare. When I get hungry, I just pop something in the microwave and it's done. I hardly ever eat anything that takes me longer than 5 minutes to make. So all of these recipes and diet plans that I keep finding all over the internet...yeah I know I'm never going to use those. What healthy foods can I eat that are incredibly simple and quick to prepare?
My biggest problem, by far, is that I have the tastebuds of a 9 year old. Now, I'm 23 years old, but the only foods I eat are horrible processed foods like mac 'n cheese, poptarts, cereal, and dinosaur chicken nuggets (nope, not joking).
I need some advice on "retraining" my tastebuds. I WANT to like foods like celery, broccoli, whole grain bread, etc. But they just taste so awful! I've read that I can slowly start to change my tastes by cutting back bit by bit on sugary and salty foods. I'm going to try that, but in the meantime, does anybody have any advice on how to eat healthier despite loathing traditional healthy foods?
Also, the main reason that I've grown so accustomed to such unhealthy and processed foods is because they're so easy to prepare. When I get hungry, I just pop something in the microwave and it's done. I hardly ever eat anything that takes me longer than 5 minutes to make. So all of these recipes and diet plans that I keep finding all over the internet...yeah I know I'm never going to use those. What healthy foods can I eat that are incredibly simple and quick to prepare?
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Replies
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Maybe as you're trying to get accustomed to new "healthier" foods you should try working on portion control and figure out how much mac and cheese or chicken nuggets you can eat and still stay in your calorie goal. Try something new everyday, one a week, whatever works for you. By the way fruits and veggies take almost no time to prepare. losing weight is from a calorie deficit so really it can happen with whatever you eat as long as you eat less. However these foods will leave you hungry faster and you wont be able to eat as many nuggets as you could seasoned baked chicken. If you could spend one day to prepare a lot of chicken or other dish you could pop that in the micro in minutes also. Hope that helps somewhat..0
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Start by SLOWLY making changes... it is hard and your body will crave the old foods. But it will be much easier if you take baby steps. Also, there are DELICIOUS healthy recipes that taste like desserts and all those Unhealthy foods. I have the biggest sweet tooth and struggled with finding the "healthy" versions of my favs. I follow a ton of healthy foodies on instagram and subscribe to their blogs. I get super easy recipes that are healthy but don't taste "healthy". Good luck on your health journey!!0
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You start eating healthily, like green salads, vegis and fresh fruit and you will learn to love them. In fact you can get addicted to them, and eventually you will choose them over pop tarts. You just have to keep eating them.0
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Hi - I can tell you a few things that worked in my house. Couple of questions first - Would you prefer to cook or buy healthy? If cook do you have a day during the week that you would be able to prepare some food for your freezer so that you can grab quick healthy ? It would make your life much easier.
When I introduced brown/multigrain/rye bread the sandwich had one slice white one slice of the new bread - i did the same with brown rice and whole wheat pasta. Easiest way to add veggies - salad or chopped veggies with lunch or supper or in spaghetti sauce, soup and stew. For chicken nuggets you could buy a pre cooked chicken or if feeling adventurous make a batch of you own for the freezer then cook as needed. Cereal add oatmeal couple times a week have a super quick recipe.
Ask away would be glad to help0 -
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Every recipe on this site: skinnytaste.com is excellent. It's healthy food that doesn't taste like sadness and cardboard.0
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When you start cooking for yourself, you will have a different feeling about the food you consume. For example, try cooking mac and cheese from scratch and you will realize that it is in an entirely different category compared to mac and cheese that you buy in a box.0
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Agree with everyone above - the best way to succeed in retraining your tastes is to go SLOW. Start adding veggies to the things you are already eating. Make one healthy substitution a day/week/whatever you can handle.
I'd also encourage you to spend some time in your kitchen and learn to enjoy preparing food for yourself. Just because it takes a little longer than 3 minutes in the microwave doesn't mean that time is wasted. You can learn to really feel rewarded and relaxed while making yourself food.
Look up beginner cooking classes in your area (adult ed, kitchen stores, etc. will have them), start reading healthy food blogs even if you're not ready to get in the kitchen just yet.
One of my faves, that makes cooking hilarious, is Thug Kitchen: http://thugkitchen.com/
(NSFW, profanity).0 -
You don't like any fruit?My Inspirations
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hmm op is this a joke?0 -
Make bargains with yourself -- "before I eat that delicious whatever, I have to eat a cup of vegetables." Then cut some veggies into large chunks and put them into a glass bowl. Add 2 tablespoons full of water and cover with plastic. Microwave two to three minutes. Salt and eat. There -- healthy food under 5 minutes. After a while you'll find stuff that you like, and it will be easier.
I'm not the best but I've made what seems to me to be amazing changes over the years. I like my coffee with no sugar, I don't like candy any more except for very dark chocolate that tastes almost as bitter as coffee. I like homemade whole wheat bread, can't stand the supermarket stuff any more. I can put a teaspoon of butter on my toast and be satisfied, where I used to put a tablespoon or more. I almost never eat pastries any more -- cake, cookies and all that stuff. Except I eat Belvita which isn't very sweet and has a lot of fiber. I really like brown rice and oatmeal.0 -
Also, the main reason that I've grown so accustomed to such unhealthy and processed foods is because they're so easy to prepare. When I get hungry, I just pop something in the microwave and it's done.0
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You start eating healthily, like green salads, vegis and fresh fruit and you will learn to love them. In fact you can get addicted to them, and eventually you will choose them over pop tarts. You just have to keep eating them.
Pretty much said what I came in to say. You like what you like, because that's what you're used to eating.
It, also, helps to stop lumping all 'healthy' foods in one category. There are a LOT of them out there. I'm sure you haven't tried them all.
And lastly, there's nothing wrong with indulging in mac n cheese and chicken nuggets. Why not still eat those, but have some fresh vegetables on the side? Or why not try your hand at homemade chicken nuggets? Might be time consuming, but worth it.
For less time consuming options, there is no law that says home prepared foods cannot be made quickly and/or in the microwave. There are a ton of recipes online that can be.
I admit. Right now, I'm eating junk. That's more budget (ramen noodles and oatmeal... yum.. [I'm actually sick of both of them]) than preference. I miss my broccoli and apples and can't wait to get back to them.0 -
If you want things you can pop in the microwave get the bags of veggies that you can steam in the bag. Pictsweet has some that are even seasoned a little bit that are not too bad.0
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You are an adult, time to grow up and deal with it. Or don't and continue to be fat.
By the way, you can still eat that stuff just use self control.0 -
oh that would suck u must feel awful eating all that processed stuff use portion control and deffinitly use multivitamins to help with general well being I hope u learn to like fresh fruit and veges soon for your health xoxoxoxox0
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have you tried celery with peanut butter? celery and carrot ssticks in humus or aioli? homemade potato chips thin sliced potato baked in olive oil with mixed herbs or lemon pepper sprinkled on them? fruit salad with sugar on top? (coconut sugar if you dare) or mixed in yoghurt... dried fruit? honey? gosh I hope these things help thinking of u0
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I found it very helpful to not lump foods into categories of good vs. bad..... Are there foods that are more nutritious than others?? Well of course but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the foods you like and continue to lose weight or maintain weight or put on weight... Adjust your diet to work in some of those foods that are more nutritious preparing them in such a way that you find them edible (seasonings, etc) but also continue to eat the things you like... This is a lifestyle journey not something that has a beginning and an end,,, The sooner you learn that and practice moderation then the easier this journey becomes.... Best of Luck....0
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Some good suggestions, such as fitting the food you like into your goals and making it yourself versus the kind you buy in the store. I know you say you don't want to have to take too much time to prepare food, but you don't have to do it on a daily basis to be healthy. Maybe pick one day of the week, like Sunday, where you take the time to prepare and freeze food that you can still grab and plop in the microwave.
Also, if you eat like a 9 year old, maybe you need to be creative the way a parent does with a 9 year old. If you like burgers, make your own where you steam carrots, peas, and broccoli that you blend in the food processor and add it to the hamburger meat. We've done this with my son (he's only 2 but already deciding what he likes and what he doesn't) and he loves them.0 -
Now that you are in your twenties...it's time to get some sophistication into your 'teenage' eating habits. You yourself wrote how you need better fashion and enjoy dancing, etc., Well, let me tell you that a guy in their twenties that inhabit 'success' turns heads.
As previously mentioned, take some cooking classes geared towards something 'doable'.
Incorporate one 'healthy' item each week - spices are wonderful.
You need to experience what wonderfully prepared 'healthy eating' really tastes like. It's doesn't have to be just a bunch of steamed vegetables with tofu!
It's not going to happen over night. My twenties weren't any different...but throughout my life I now couldn't imagine living/eating the way I use to. But the 'transition' was really gradual. I read lots and tried many things - education really opened my eyes to items that use the label of 'food'....when really most packaged items can be 'packaged chemicals'.
Remember, attitude is everything! Get excited about it! Who knows it might just spark a whole new you:))
Good luck0 -
Same problem was with me, I hated vegetables, I thought they tasted plain, but I started slowly adding them in my regular meals, and now I enjoy them, you can do the same start adding small sizes of "healthy" foods and before you know it you'll be eating healthy0
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Same here, I started "making myself eat salads, with dressing, then I moved to low fat dressing, then I stopped the dressing, and what do you know, I actually like salad, and veggies taste delicious, devoid of any seasoning or sauces, sure it took me a while to really appreciate them this way, but now I wouldn't have them any other. Like others have mentioned, just make small changes, maybe add some tomatoes or mushrooms or peas or peppers to your mac and cheese, and if you don't mind it too much, try it again with more veg and less mac and cheese. You just need to keep trying different things. And read the boxes of your favourite foods, then google the ingredients. That might put you off! Good luck :-)0
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Start shopping in the produce aisle. Veggies sliced and cooked with a little olive oil can be tasty. Add some lean meat like some chicken or fish. Costco has some really good chicken breasts that are individually wrapped add don't taste so salty.
For lunch a low carb wrap with chicken, guacamole and pepper jack or a subway 6" with no cheese, mayo or oil and lots of veggies with mustard. In a major rush you can always get a grilled chicken sandwich (400 calories) but skip the fries and sweetened drink.
Breakfast I cook 1/2 cup of the good old fashioned oatmeal (5 1/2 min) to make it palatable I add walnuts, chia seeds, almond milk, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and a banana. (about 900 calories but I run in the morning to make room)
I didn't always eat like this but between the weight loss, size reduction and better diet I also dropped 50 points off my cholesterol.0 -
You know the expression about old habits and how they die?
My advice is not to change everything at once. Jumping in head first and fully committing to a complete lifestyle change works for some people, but more people find success with being able to focus on one thing at a time. You may wish to figure out what you can most easily change first. If your goal is to have less or no processed foods, do it, and forget calories for a bit. I dropped weight watchers, but one of the plans they offered followed this idea. They had a list of nutrient rich foods that had less chemicals and empty fillers. On that plan, you could eat as much of those things as you wanted but nothing else and not focus on counting those calories. It may not help you lose weight, but will trend towards the more nutritious foods.
I myself could never make a plan like that work for me. I preferred some of the fillers and stuff. As such, a calorie based approach was a good start for me. I didn't force myself into vegetables and fruits and whole grains. My first goal was weight loss, and so I only calorie counted. For weeks, that meant frozen packaged meals. Low calorie, but I would never call them healthy. Chicken fingers and fries, fish and fries.
I started there. Then I got bored. With the pounds leaving and the exercise increasing, I felt I could take on the next step. Adding in healthier foods. More vegetables. I'm still not great with the veggies, but finally tuna salad in a pita with tomatoes and carrots sounds much much more appealing than lean cuisine's version of chicken.
You won't run a marathon on your fist day of exercise. You don't have to change all your eating habits in one day either.0 -
I agree with thisMaybe as you're trying to get accustomed to new "healthier" foods you should try working on portion control and figure out how much mac and cheese or chicken nuggets you can eat and still stay in your calorie goal. Try something new everyday, one a week, whatever works for you. By the way fruits and veggies take almost no time to prepare. losing weight is from a calorie deficit so really it can happen with whatever you eat as long as you eat less. However these foods will leave you hungry faster and you wont be able to eat as many nuggets as you could seasoned baked chicken. If you could spend one day to prepare a lot of chicken or other dish you could pop that in the micro in minutes also. Hope that helps somewhat..0
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Every Sunday I will fire up the grill and grill enough chicken, fish, steak, asparagus, zuchinni, squash, etc. to have lunch for the following week. I bought freezer containers and make all my lunches for the week in those containers and toss them in the freezer. Everyday I grab one throw it in the microwave for about 3-4 minutes and there you go, a healthy microwave dinner. You can even mix it up a bit adding different things for each day. It is alot easier to cook one day than cook everyday.
I hoe this helps you as much as it helped me.0 -
My biggest problem, by far, is that I have the tastebuds of a 9 year old.
I need some advice on "retraining" my tastebuds. I WANT to like foods like celery, broccoli, whole grain bread, etc. But they just taste so awful!
unhealthy and processed foods is because they're so easy to prepare.
I kind of chopped up your post to highlight the main points.
First and foremost the definition of "healthy" foods can vary from one individual to another. Even if you do eat seemly "healthy" foods that does not mean you are getting adequate nutrition or consuming less calories than you burn.
What are your goals? This will largely help you determine what your definition of healthy will be. If you just want to lose weight and make sure you are getting proper nutrition, there's no reason to cut out processed foods and yes you can even have the mac'n cheese and chicken nuggets.
I recommend for you that you consider following the flexible dieting technique IIFYM (If it fits your macros). You eat what ever you want during the course the day while 1. Eating at a calorie goal appropriate to your goals, then 2. Making sure you are getting your recommended amount of protein, dietary fats and carbs.
With IIFYM I personally strive to at a minimum hit my protein and dietary fat goals for the day and the remainder of my calories go into anything I want, more fat/protein or carbs.
You do not have to eat broccoli, celery or other "health" foods to lose weight or be healthy in general. That being said I have nothing against veggies and whole foods, I think they are amazing, but not a requirement unless that's one of your goals. To someone on the Paleo diet, you would want to minimize the amount of processed foods you consume, if you just want to lose weight, that's irreverent, calories in vs calories out matters.0 -
You are responsible for your own attitude and choices. No one can help you with that; all up to you.
(Maybe your definition of "healthy food" could also be wrong? I LOVE my food but I do NOT avoid healthy fats - very much the opposite. But I do avoid foods that make me feel sick and trigger bingeing. When my body is not malnourished, I don't over-eat. Amazing. IIFYM and eating junk doesn't work for me, but apparently it does for a few people - at least temporarily.)
Cooking is not "hard". It's actually a lot of fun.0 -
Healthy foods don't have to be bland or unfulfilling! Celery isn't the end-all be-all of healthy eating. I hate celery. I never eat it.
Try a bunch of things. Try salads made of tons of flavorful veggies, with (a healthy amount of) delicious dressing on top. Try cooking yourself big batches of healthy things that you can eat all week - my lunches this week consist of this awesome curried tofu salad I just discovered. It has a nice creamy, zingy sauce that is just SO tasty.
I also eat a lot of spicy hummus. I know a lot of people don't really like hummus because it CAN be kind of bland, but there are so many kinds out there that you just have to keep trying them. When you try a "healthy" food that is bland or boring, ask yourself how you could make it better. Are you a hot sauce person? Would you like a little melted low-fat cheese on top? Could you turn this into a sandwich with a little bit of wheat bread?
Maybe there are also ways to make the things you already like a little bit healthier? What about macaroni and cheese with wheat pasta and low-fat cheese, in reasonable portions? What about trying to transition from chicken nuggets to a nice grilled chicken salad? I LOVE pancakes and waffles, for example. Not usually the healthiest pick. But now I make my waffles from scratch with whole wheat flour and soy milk, I cut the sugar in the recipe drastically, I use real maple syrup (no high fructose corn syrup!), I add in some nuts for protein, and I watch my portions more. And I still get to eat my waffles some of the time!
I think you just need to keep trying things. As you get used to eating them, you'll crave them more, too... quitting soda and coffee was really hard for me, but now there's no way I'd drink either of them when there's a delicious cup of tea available to me. Once your body gets out of the habit of eating them, you'll want them a lot less. it's a tough transition to get through, but it does get easier!0 -
When I started changing my habits from lots of eating out and junk food I made slow small changes. Of course you don't have to cut out all the foods you like but below are some examples I used to cut calories.
Examples:
Switching full fat dairy products to 2% products
Cutting portion/serving sizes
Adding a vegetable side to my dinner
Switching regular soda for diet soda then switching to flavored carbonated water
Adding fruit and nuts to salads (Jason's Deli & Mcalisters are a good place to get ideas on new salads)
Another thing you can do is try restaurant versions of new foods. For example I didn't eat much fish when I started eating healthier and wanted to try it but was intimidated by trying to cook it and make it taste good. So I would try it at a restaurant first to get ideas. Later I became a vegetarian and tried vegetarian meals/foods (like tofu and veggie burgers) at restaurants before trying to make them at home.0
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