Picky eater here!

Christiiiine · February 2011

I've been trying to lose weight for several months now but the fact of the matter is I'm a majorly picky eater! (And a creature of habit) It is the ONE thing in my life that I consider myself high maintenance on.

I do NOT like or enjoy fish by any means, not a huge fan of veggies but if they come with a meal fine, I'll eat a salad if the dressing is good, love fruit, chicken, lean red meat, and of course, pasta!

I will say this though -- I don't like cake, sweets in general, and greasy food (chips, fries, etc) Once in a while I'll have a piece of candy, chocolate, or slice of cheesecake on my birthday but that's about it. I don't have any problems staying away from the stuff. My problem is that I get (and stay) lazy unless pushed.

I'm trying to come up with a diet plan of some kind based on what I like/know and was wondering if anyone had suggestions based on my *pickiness*.

crystal_sapphire · February 2011

I don't like fish much either and I hate that I miss out on so many benefits from not eating it. With that being said, I've been taking baby steps and get myself small cans of flavored tuna to put on melba toast. And I just last month bought a processed tilapia that's seasoned from the blue water brand. I suggest taking omega fatty acid supplements.

May I suggest taking peppers or whatever you enjoy, chopping it finely and adding it to your pasta sauces? And continue with trying to get in salads, but if you're prone to getting bored of food, don't eat it everyday. I know that sounds weird, but you don't want to get put off by eating salads even if it's with great dressing. Eat plots of fruit since you mentioned enjoying it! Pastas should be whole wheat or grain. Make meals that incorporate a lean meat, whole grain, and a bit of vegetables. Maybe slowly add those veggies over a period of time. More and More until you get more used to having them in your daily diet.

Best wishes!

crystal_sapphire · February 2011

sorry repost

la4et · February 2011

I hated veges, didn't love clean, preparing fruit and absolutely love cards! But, if you take the time, get everything ready after the grocery store, you will find yourself reaching for healthy things. I found veges I like, (carrots, celery, cucumber and I eat a lot of those. I will make a stir fry doused in Soy sauce and add beans sprouts, pea pod and broccoli.
Find what you like. I do not like fresh fish either, but I do eat Highliner breaded fish fillets and take off the breading 0 seriously they are not that bad for you, lots of protein.
I do not try a lot of new things- just find what works for you- even if it is the same thing often

jenbusick · February 2011

I am not you, but I live with you

Srsly, my spouse is major finicky. Meat (red meat, chicken and pork; no fish, at least not at home) and potatoes. No vegetables and very few fruits. I've spent 20 years learning to cook what he'll eat and we eat a pretty good variety by now.

I find, eating as a family, that I have to do two things: one is watch portion sizes with extreme care. Eat a hamburger, but a *smaller* one. Eat chicken, but a thigh, not a breast. Eat potato soup, but made with 1% milk not half-and-half, and measure the portion with care. The other thing I have to watch is starchy sides. Last night, everybody else at hamburgers *and* french fries. I had to skip the fries. When everybody else had ham and au gratin potatoes, I had ham and broccoli. I am fortunate that I'll eat vegetables, so where he has spoon bread I'll eat asparagus, but I do miss the starchy sides :sad:

You can build a menu around protein sources; for sides, look for your leanest options like baked potatoes with minimal toppings or broth-based soups.

Good luck and if you'd like to ask a more specific question I'd be happy to provide a more specific answer (recipes etc.)

BrentGetsFit · February 2011

I'd suggest trying some of the things you don't like prepared in a way you've never had it before. You may find that you are not as picky as you think

heatherdeewalker · February 2011

I am also a fairly picky eater. Check out Myrecipes.com You can actually search for healthy meals from the magazine COOKING LIGHT. They have healthier version or almost any bad for you food you could want. For example today I mad my husband and I "Grown up grilled cheeses" Hearty wheat bread, sauted red onions with garlic, spinach, tomatoes, center cut bacon, and reduced fat super sharp white cheddar AND ONLY 376cals. Everything I have made so far has been awesome, and the best thing is every recipe has all of the nutritional facts listed!

ShellyMacchi · February 2011

Disguise the veggies.
Seriously.. everyone needs to include vegetables.

You like pasta, so i will assume you like tomato sauce...
throw that tomato sauce in a processor or blender and add lots of other cooked veg (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, celery all spring to mind immediately as great possible additions).
Then buzz the bejeezus outta that sauce!

et voila! you still have your familiar red tomato sauce, and you will never even notice all those extras you added, though your body will, and love you for it *S*

same approach works great with soups, and a soup augmented this way is a great, FAST meal to have in the fridge for those days you are just not feeling like 'preparing' anything.

You will be amazed how easy it really is to add lots of extra veg this way.

good luck! *S*

Christiiiine · February 2011

Thanks for all the helpful posts -- Keep em' coming! Glad to see I am not the only picky eater out there

I really need to compile a list of recipes I like. Right now I have my garlic hummus recipe, chicken alfredo (that I never make since I've started watching my foods) and my chicken rice recipe. May try substituting brown rice in there this weekend instead. Which leads me to my next question... is sautéing a chicken breast overly unhealthy? It's way too cold to go outside and grill.

Christiiiine · February 2011

Shelly that is an AWESOME idea about the sauce. Thanks for that!

crystal_sapphire · February 2011

Thanks for all the helpful posts -- Keep em' coming! Glad to see I am not the only picky eater out there I really need to compile a list of recipes I like. Right now I have my garlic hummus recipe, chicken alfredo (that I never make since I've started watching my foods) and my chicken rice recipe. May try substituting brown rice in there this weekend instead. Which leads me to my next question... is sautéing a chicken breast overly unhealthy? It's way too cold to go outside and grill.

may I suggest allrecipes.com? It's a fabulous website full of recipes. You can search for particular recipes you want such as healthier choice or low carb or whatever.

I'm sure if you did some googling you'd find a lower cal alfredo sauce. Then I recommend using half a cup of whole grain pasta cooked with it, throw in a 1/2 cup to cup of broccoli and maybe half a chicken breast. Right there you'd have 1-2 servings of veggies, a serving of whole grains, and a serving of lean protein.

And you get your chicken alfredo!

jenbusick · February 2011

This recipe is a family favorite: Chili Parmesan Chicken http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/chili-parmesan-chicken-63484.aspx

The natives also like pan-seared chicken -- bone-in, skin-on chicken that is seared skin-side down on a 425 degree skillet for 12-15 minutes; reduce heat to 325 deg, partially cover (put the lid on slantwise) and cook for another 12-15 minutes, completely cover and cook another 5 minutes until done. It comes out moist and yummy and there's no added fat calories. You can serve it with anything.

This one's high salt but also a favorite: bone-in, skin-on chicken simmered for 25 minutes in 1/2c soy sauce, 1/2c white vinegar and 1 c water. Serve with rice and a green vegetable (broccoli works well) and you can pour the sauce over it if you like.

Something that's popular locally, that works if you watch portion sizes, is a barbecue stuffed baked potato -- shredded pork barbecue on a baked potato, sprinkled with whatever your favorite topping is (sour cream, shredded cheese, barbecue sauce) -- you do have to watch the portions because it can add up fast.

Most of the rest of what I make is adaptations of ordinary recipes -- tacos, chili, spaghetti, goulash, pizza, soups. If you put the recipes in MFP, you can look for substitutions that will work to make them healthier.

Barelmy · February 2011

I was raised on chips (fries) with everything, and I didn't eat any vegetables (except potatoes). When I went vegan, I knew I was going to have to change that.

As a general rule, if you try something thirty times or so, your tastebuds stop protesting. I used to gag on vegetables, now they just slip down.

Can't give you advice on the picky eating, but, if you're worried about missing on out omega 3s and 6s from fish, try adding a tablespoon of flaxseed to things. It can go in most things, really.

Picky eater here!

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