Picky Eater
DanaLash
Posts: 59 Member
Hey Guys,
I'm a pretty picky eater. How do you make sure you get all your veggies/enough protein and don't OD on carbs when you're a picky eater? Any ideas on how to hide veggies in certain foods?
Thanks!
I'm a pretty picky eater. How do you make sure you get all your veggies/enough protein and don't OD on carbs when you're a picky eater? Any ideas on how to hide veggies in certain foods?
Thanks!
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Replies
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I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO picky.
I actually almost hate fruits. I prefer artificial flavoring .-.
So, I am interested in the responses
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I put a ton of stuff in my morning smoothie:
MY MASTER SMOOTHIE LIST
Protein powder
Chia seeds
Sesame seeds
Goji powder
Acai powder
Choice: Beet, carrot, or pomegranate powder, tart cherry
Cinnamon (half)
(Cacao nibs)
Hemp
Flax (half)
Powdered Calcium
Vitamin D – liquid
Maca0 -
Did I mention I'm also poor? LOL. Ok, not poor. Cheap is a more accurate word. All of those things sound terribly expensive.0
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My diary is open. Take a look. There are plenty of ways to inexpensively meet your nutritional needs as a "picky eater."
We live in a relatively small town, so almost all of our shopping is done at the local WalMart. Can't get much cheaper than that.0 -
Did I mention I'm also poor? LOL. Ok, not poor. Cheap is a more accurate word. All of those things sound terribly expensive.
I take whatever greens and veggies are on sale and throw them into a couple of veggie smoothies with a Nutribullet. I'll usually throw in some frozen raspberries or blueberries just to make it more "drinkable." I got my Nutribullet on Craigslist barely used for $60. I know I need veggies and I don't mind the taste too much, but the texture of some vegetables really bothers me. You don't necessarily need all the fancy extras like goji berries if you're just looking to get veggies in. Drinking your greens is definitely something to consider if you are veggie-averse!0 -
I'm picky but it's more with meat. And poor. And trying not to OD on carbs too. And we are lazy cooks in our house so...
Not sure if you hate these things but this is what we do:
The hubs will make up a big batch of chicken breasts in the oven so we have those on hand.
We buy big bags of what ever frozen veggies we like (we tend to like broccoli), boil that up.
Boil up a bunch of sweet potatos, mash those up.
Then we just mix that up and eat it all week. Can add butter. Pretty healthy. Depends what you like though. Sub out the sweet potatos for brown rice if you like that better. Sub out the broccoli for any veggie you like.0 -
Stop being picky. Open up and start trying new things. I guarantee you'll realize you like many more things than you thought. Life is way too short to be so closed off and inflexible. You will be happier for expanding your food base.0
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I shred up zucchini/summer squash or carrots, sautee them, and put them in dishes that have ground meat, like lasagna or stuffed peppers. You can add onion or mushrooms to TONS of meals if you sautee them and add them to sauces. You can also add veggies to soups, since they all kind of end up with the same taste/texture at the end.
Definitely try new things, too. I hated most vegetables until I was like 24, then suddenly, I was like "hey, I enjoy zucchini and avocado and onions and tomatoes and all these delicious things that I thought I hated!" Most of them I hadn't tried since my mom made me eat them as a kid, and I just assumed I still disliked them.0 -
I am very picky even at age 42, mostly a mental thing.
I blend in fruits (berries) in my morning protein shake. I really only eat strawberries, oranges, berries, pineapple. Honeydew makes me vomit. Other fruits just don't do it for me.
I hate almost all veggies. I will eat a salad, prefer spinach salad with maybe some thinly sliced carrots in it. I can do tomatoes in small doses.
I eat a fiber pill (Fiber Choice) that taste like candy to increase my fiber and also do a multi-vitamin to help with the lack of veggies.0 -
Did I mention I'm also poor? LOL. Ok, not poor. Cheap is a more accurate word. All of those things sound terribly expensive.
I am cheap as well. I haven't done the math but I buy meal replacement shakes (Total Lean 25) at GNC and with the fruit I blend in, it probably is only marginally more expensive than my former breakfast consisting of multiple bowls of cereal & milk.
I do make sure I only buy the stuff at GNC when it is on sale. Also, sometimes you just gotta spend a little more on yourself sometimes.0 -
My diary is open. Take a look. There are plenty of ways to inexpensively meet your nutritional needs as a "picky eater."
We live in a relatively small town, so almost all of our shopping is done at the local WalMart. Can't get much cheaper than that.
You're speaking my language! We are in the same boat. All we have is Walmart in our town. Although, rumor has it we might be getting a Meijer...0 -
I have found that picking a short term diet that MAKES you limit carbs and eat veggies/fruit/protein is helpful. It helps rewire my brain a little. I've done the 21 day sugar detox. I've done a little paleo. Even gluten free for a month. The 21 day sugar detox helped to most to get me to actually enjoy veggies.0
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Are there any veggies you like right now? If so, stock up on those. Then try a new veggie every week. Even if it's one you already think you hate. If you find some you like, add those to your regular shopping list.
That's the easiest way I've found to add more veggies.
Add some fruit to yogurt if you like yogurt, or to oatmeal if you like oatmeal. If not, add them on top of a pancake or in a smoothie with some frozen yogurt and ice cubes.
As for the carbs, I don't really count my carbs at all, so I'm not the best person to ask. I suppose you could start by limiting yourself to 1 carb-y meal per day and try to switch some of your carbs to whole wheat and whole grain.0 -
One of my go- to meals is Buffalo Broccoli. I buy a bag of pre chopped NOT frozen broccoli, microwave for 2 minutes, add chopped chicken (i poach a ton of it once a month, shred and freeze in sandwhich bags, keep one in the fridge) a tbsp of cream cheese, and buffalo sauce. It's soooo good. Doesn't taste like broccoli! Sometimes I'll sub the buffalo sauce with salsa. YUM!
I'm also a fan of omlettes. Every morning i do one egg, 4tbsp of egg whites, cottage cheese and 1/2 cup frozen spinach or kale or finely chopped broccoli. I blend it and pour into a hot buttered saute pan and cover for about 5 minutes. eat with a wedge of laughing cow cheese. SO good.0 -
Make burritos. I just add a lot of Accent (MSG) to the vegetables if it bothers you. And no MSG isn't as bad as lots make it out to be.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Eat for fuel, not for fun.
After about the age of 15, "I'm a picky eater" isn't cute.0 -
Eat for fuel, not for fun.
After about the age of 15, "I'm a picky eater" isn't cute.
Just a guess here, but I don't think she was going for cute
My husband is a notoriously picky eater - he's not trying to be difficult, but certain tastes and textures genuinely bother him and make him gag, and our son is the same way and I don't belittle either of them because their taste happens to be different than mine.
Hubby eats the foods he enjoys - stays within his macros, and under his calorie count. He exercises 6 days a week and has still managed to lose weight and not feel like crap and I'm sure the OP can do the same as a picky eater. If you can't stand veggies without some cheese on them, fine...eat em with cheese, count the calories, log it as a success because you actually got veggies into your system without barfing, woo!
And people, jeeze - what worked for you doesn't always work for everyone, a modicum of understanding that we're not all cut from the same damn piece of paper would be brilliant.0 -
Hey Guys,
I'm a pretty picky eater. How do you make sure you get all your veggies/enough protein and don't OD on carbs when you're a picky eater? Any ideas on how to hide veggies in certain foods?
Thanks!
My meals are incredibly repetitive -
While I'm not a picky eater, and I'm lucky enough to be able to get what I want and need at the store, I've found that giving myself too much 'freedom' with my menu leads to me overdoing it.
I'm taking the 'fun' out of it - and just using food for what I think it's supposed to be for - fueling my body.
I eat a lot of chicken - I buy the packs of 7 or 8 at walmart - throw them in the crockpot with salt, pepper, and garlic. Let them cook for 7-8 hours and there's my lunch for the week paired with a veggie or two of choice - for dinner it's basically grilled chicken, shrimp, and occasionally steak, with a salad and a veggie. Honestly - shopping the 'outer ring' <meat, produce, fruit, and dairy) of the grocery hasn't been any more expensive than the insides....0 -
Oh, and DanaLash - there's a recipe book called Deceptively Delicious which is ALL about hiding veggies in delicious foods (like taco pie etc.) - it's basically written so that you can get veggies into kids who are anti-veggie but it works for adults too. Might be worth checking out.0
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I found if I buy vegetables on sale then puree and freeze them in ice cube trays I can save time and money making my morning smoothie. I steam carrots and sweet potatoes prior to pureeing them to make it easier on my blender and they come out smoother. Frozen fruits are also handy in the moring and cuts down on waste since they will last longer. You can puree your greens and freeze them as well. My favorite smoothie consits of yogurt, banana, pureed carrot, spinach, strawberries and flax seed. Sounds gross but the strawberries and banana hide the flavor of the vegetables and it only takes me a couple minutes in the morning to throw it together and blend it up. Another way I like using my pureed vegetables is in soups, chili, pasta dishes, and I even put them in my sons mac & cheese.0
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Hey Guys,
I'm a pretty picky eater. How do you make sure you get all your veggies/enough protein and don't OD on carbs when you're a picky eater? Any ideas on how to hide veggies in certain foods?
Thanks!
What foods do you like?
Buy them canned or frozen -- they do not have to be fresh.0 -
Making large batches of soup is a good way to get your vegetables in. You can blend them up and freeze them.0
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Experiment!
I always HATED green vegetables.... turns out I don't I just only like them undercooked. Crunchy almost raw I like most of them...
Broccoli = ick . Broccoli and stilton soup = YUM (I don't like stilton either but somehow together they work...).
Any veg put through a blender can be hidden in a sauce!
Smoothies/juices ultimate way to hide veg. I've had a juicer since May, I've yet to make one without carrots in it...
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It would be much easier to help if we knew what things you do like... that way if there is a good way to mask it we know what kind of base to work with
I will tell you I use a lot of baby spinach, personally I love veggies, so I don't really have a hard time with it, but having picky kids you find ways to make it work.0 -
I'd encourage you to try things as well. I really really don't like canned veggies, mostly due to consistency, but I really like fresh or frozen ones. Don't like them boiled? Try steaming or roasting or sauteeing or just eat them raw. I get this will conflict with your cheapness but most veggies aren't horribly expensive.
I'm kind of picky about veggies too so I mainly stick to the ones I like. Ones I don't like as much (spinach, carrots) I put in soups/stews or casseroles so the taste/texture is hidden. Along the same lines, I've found it helps to have a yummy side dish. I'll eat a lot more of my broccoli if I can mix it in with au gratin rice or stroganoff noodles. Plus that saves me from trying to hide the taste with lots of butter and salt.
I also will pack the ones I like raw in with lunch so I get an extra serving in during the day. Cucumbers, pea pods, baby carrots, grape tomatoes.... Eat them with your sandwich like you would chips.
Good luck!0 -
I have some of the same advice as early posters but I'm speaking as someone who used to be picky as well. There were SO many foods I wouldn't eat that eating healthy and eating at people's houses was really hard.
As an example - I always hated cottage cheese. The first time I tried it as an adult, I gagged and spit it out. My stomach would get in a knot every time I thought about it. I drove my husband crazy complaining about how my stomach hurt for two or three days afterward.
But... I wanted to get pregnant and I did not want my kid to be picky. I knew the best thing to do was to model good eating habits. So I kept trying new things.
I did it slowly. First, I tried a new thing a couple of times a month in small amounts. If I didn't like something, I would try it again a couple of months later because RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT CAN 3 OR 4 TRIES TO LIKE SOMETHING. Then it started to be fun! So I tried a new thing at least once a week.
Some things were easy to learn to like. Butternut squash, honeydew melon, pineapple, beets... yum! Somethings took a few tries (but now I adore them!) like oysters, sushi, and brussel sprouts.
So, my suggestion is to...
1) Stock up on the stuff you do like
2) Try a new thing once a week. TAKE SEVERAL BITES. If you like it, great! If not, make a note to try it a couple of months later.
3) Try things prepared different ways. Try roasting, grilling, steaming, shredding raw, etc.
4) DO NOT GIVE UP. Give yourself months and years to make this change. It won't happen in a week.
5) Have fun with it! Don't stress about it and focus on the positive reasons why you are trying new things. Have fun shopping and looking up recipes for new foods.
6) Record your successes. Celebrate them! Share your new love of ____ food with people.
I suggest this because food is so much fun for me now. I am still trying new foods and the only things I don't LOVE is olives and even those I will eat. I eat such a wide variety of healthy and delicious food and enjoy every bite!
And one of my favorite desserts now is cottage cheese with chopped banana and some cinnamon. OMG SO GOOD. I might just have some tonight!
(That took forever to type out. Hope it helps.)0 -
Eat for fuel, not for fun.
After about the age of 15, "I'm a picky eater" isn't cute.
Omigosh, all this time I thought I was so adorable. Damnit. Years and years of cuteness, wasted.
I am TRYING to eat for fuel. That's the point. I just want my fuel to not taste like ****.0 -
Oh, and DanaLash - there's a recipe book called Deceptively Delicious which is ALL about hiding veggies in delicious foods (like taco pie etc.) - it's basically written so that you can get veggies into kids who are anti-veggie but it works for adults too. Might be worth checking out.
THANK YOU! I couldn't remember the name of it. I knew there was a cook book out there. I love broccoli, zucchini, brussel sprouts, cucumber, any kind of fruit, and chicken. But that's about it. Other than that it's noodles, rice, potatoes unhealthy stuff. So, I'm trying to branch out, try new things, and find healthy recipes or ways to trick myself into eating healthier. Thank you so much for your suggestions and understanding! 0 -
I have some of the same advice as early posters but I'm speaking as someone who used to be picky as well. There were SO many foods I wouldn't eat that eating healthy and eating at people's houses was really hard.
As an example - I always hated cottage cheese. The first time I tried it as an adult, I gagged and spit it out. My stomach would get in a knot every time I thought about it. I drove my husband crazy complaining about how my stomach hurt for two or three days afterward.
But... I wanted to get pregnant and I did not want my kid to be picky. I knew the best thing to do was to model good eating habits. So I kept trying new things.
I did it slowly. First, I tried a new thing a couple of times a month in small amounts. If I didn't like something, I would try it again a couple of months later because RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT CAN 3 OR 4 TRIES TO LIKE SOMETHING. Then it started to be fun! So I tried a new thing at least once a week.
Some things were easy to learn to like. Butternut squash, honeydew melon, pineapple, beets... yum! Somethings took a few tries (but now I adore them!) like oysters, sushi, and brussel sprouts.
So, my suggestion is to...
1) Stock up on the stuff you do like
2) Try a new thing once a week. TAKE SEVERAL BITES. If you like it, great! If not, make a note to try it a couple of months later.
3) Try things prepared different ways. Try roasting, grilling, steaming, shredding raw, etc.
4) DO NOT GIVE UP. Give yourself months and years to make this change. It won't happen in a week.
5) Have fun with it! Don't stress about it and focus on the positive reasons why you are trying new things. Have fun shopping and looking up recipes for new foods.
6) Record your successes. Celebrate them! Share your new love of ____ food with people.
I suggest this because food is so much fun for me now. I am still trying new foods and the only things I don't LOVE is olives and even those I will eat. I eat such a wide variety of healthy and delicious food and enjoy every bite!
And one of my favorite desserts now is cottage cheese with chopped banana and some cinnamon. OMG SO GOOD. I might just have some tonight!
(That took forever to type out. Hope it helps.)
That is actually really interesting! I always swore stuff off permanently! I also am a big texture person. I'll have to re-try some stuff! Thanks!0 -
I am like many that replied - I make smoothies for breakfast. Spinach works best for me because it really has no taste in the smoothie.0
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