I would very much like some eating advice...

If you have a texture problem, etc. you could try pureeing the foods. Have you ever though about getting a babyfood blender? They sell for maybe $40-60 maybe. It would take out all detectable chucks of anything you didn't like. Maybe even bought babyfood that isn't canned. Food processors and blenders do a great job, but usually leave some chucks so you would have to sieve it out if it really bothers you. Smoothies are another great way to get your veggies in or those fruit/veggies juice blends. You could add the purees to the smoothies. I have a baby daughter, she eats everything, but for the few foods that she doesn't care for as much, I just add them to things she loves. She gobbles it up. It will take time to adjust your palate, but it will happen. In the mean time, you can check out Deceptively Delicious. Adding squash to Mac and Cheese is a great one.

As for the canned, better than no veggies, but the canning process pretty much removes most vitamins and minerals. Certain foods, like tomatoes, are actually more beneficial in some ways if cooked or canned. But fresh and frozen are much much better. I would take a multi (split in half to avoid any tummy troubles) to help with any nutritional deficits. Give yourself time, and just keep trying things. It can take up to 15 separate tries to begin to like something.

I used to be a really fussy eater, until I went vegan, and knew I'd have to get used to eating vegetables.

One thing that helped was getting used to new foods. I literally used to gag on vegetables - all vegetables. What helped at first was making a rule that, in my case, I could only have chips if I had some broccoli with it. Sometimes, I really couldn't finish it, but I tried, and, eventually, my mouth and stomach stopped complaining. I've heard that it takes about thirty repeated exposures to make your taste buds cooperate, and in my experience, that's true.

Maybe something like that could help you? Just mix the foods you don't like with the ones you do, and keep trying. A big bag of frozen broccoli will keep for ages, so you don't have to spend money on food you can't finish before it goes off.

Is it possible to keep trying little bites of things you thought you previously didn't like? I eat a lot more things that I eat now that I never ate before. There are so e things that I eat on occasion that I really don't care for but I know they are good for me so I eat them anyway. I think if you opened your mind and were willing to try new foods this weight loss program would be a lot easier. Good luck!

I used to be just like you, and I gradually changed my pallete. I still can go for the pizza and pop tarts, but I have found that once I kicked the habit and started eating healthier, it was much easier.

Have you ever gone to a gourmet restaurant that cooked healthy foods? I was lucky enough to work for a food company, and during one of our outings they brought their chef in to demonstrate some of our specialty food products. The food was so natural and tasted so incredible, that it changed my mind about how food should taste. For a few weeks, I tried cooking foods myself and kicked my fast food habit (for the most part -- sometimes I slip!) I have found that I really appreciate food that I cook myself.

Don't be afraid to try new things, but don't feel forced to eat things that you don't like, If you do, you won't stick to it.

As far as masking vegetables, have you tried cauliflower? This vege doesn't have too much taste, and it can be made as a substitute for mashed potatoes, rice, and can even make a great pizza crust. It's a great way to hide your vegetables and get those vitamins! There's another thread on all of the things you can do with this.

Good luck at the store!