Picky Eater to the extreme

dukedrizzy · July 2018

Hello!

My name is Drea, and I'm brand new here---I'm so sorry if I'm recreating a post that already exists. But I couldn't find anything that seemed to match my issue, unless I'm just not searching in the right place.

But, I have a lot of weight to lose. Within the past month, my friends and I have started going to the gym together. It's been great! Especially considering I did absolutely nothing physical before starting. My issue is eating, though. I know a lot of folks say they're a picky eater, but then they mention they struggle to eat their veggies - but that they eventually do. Mine is similar, except when I say I'm a picky eater, I mean I'm a picky eater in the most extreme way. Other than corn, there isn't a singe vegetable I like. And at 32 years old, every time I mention that to someone, they're very quick to give me different ways to try cooking them. Which I appreciate, of course! But, I assure you, I've tried every vegetable in nearly every way possible - baked, fried, steamed, cooked, raw, mashed, "mixed in" other foods, squash noodles - you name it, I've tried it. It's like I have some supersonic tongue with taste buds that can detect the tiniest vegetable and immediately abort the mission. I've even tried forcing them down, but let's just leave it at "it's not pretty."

I do eat some fruits - apples (no peel), oranges, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries - that's it. I primarily live off of chicken nuggets, macaroni, and ranch dressing. Toddlers, quite literally, eat better than I do.

So, I'm struggling. Big time. It's not my lack of trying. I assure you - if I could swallow a big bite of lettuce, I'd be the happiest person in the world. I've even considered hypnotherapy. It's THAT bad! Am I alone in this?

If you're a picky eater, how do you manage? What kind of things do you do to adjust your caloric intake with such a restrictive palate? I've love any advice, or just simply knowing others are out there!

Thanks, have a great day!

kommodevaran · July 2018

Manage what? Lose weight - eat less, move more. You have survived so far on what you've eaten, so I suggest you just eat less of whatever you eat now.

WholeFoods4Lyfe · July 2018

If one of your goals is better health and the food aversions are something that you are interested in overcoming, I highly recommend seeking out a therapist who is familiar with your type of oral aversions.

But if your only goal is to lose weight, then it is truly calories in vs calories out, just eat less of what you are currently eating to create a deficit. Done.

TavistockToad · July 2018

dukedrizzy wrote: »

Hello!

My name is Drea, and I'm brand new here---I'm so sorry if I'm recreating a post that already exists. But I couldn't find anything that seemed to match my issue, unless I'm just not searching in the right place.

But, I have a lot of weight to lose. Within the past month, my friends and I have started going to the gym together. It's been great! Especially considering I did absolutely nothing physical before starting. My issue is eating, though. I know a lot of folks say they're a picky eater, but then they mention they struggle to eat their veggies - but that they eventually do. Mine is similar, except when I say I'm a picky eater, I mean I'm a picky eater in the most extreme way. Other than corn, there isn't a singe vegetable I like. And at 32 years old, every time I mention that to someone, they're very quick to give me different ways to try cooking them. Which I appreciate, of course! But, I assure you, I've tried every vegetable in nearly every way possible - baked, fried, steamed, cooked, raw, mashed, "mixed in" other foods, squash noodles - you name it, I've tried it. It's like I have some supersonic tongue with taste buds that can detect the tiniest vegetable and immediately abort the mission. I've even tried forcing them down, but let's just leave it at "it's not pretty."

I do eat some fruits - apples (no peel), oranges, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries - that's it. I primarily live off of chicken nuggets, macaroni, and ranch dressing. Toddlers, quite literally, eat better than I do.

So, I'm struggling. Big time. It's not my lack of trying. I assure you - if I could swallow a big bite of lettuce, I'd be the happiest person in the world. I've even considered hypnotherapy. It's THAT bad! Am I alone in this?

If you're a picky eater, how do you manage? What kind of things do you do to adjust your caloric intake with such a restrictive palate? I've love any advice, or just simply knowing others are out there!

Thanks, have a great day!

So just eat a bit less of the things you do like?

tulips_and_tea · July 2018

As already stated, just eat smaller portions of the food you like. It may not provide all the nutrients you need but if you've been able to start exercising successfully and already feel better then don't make eating a complicated issue that distracts you.

Yes, if you truly want to overcome the issues then some sort of therapy would be advisable. Otherwise, eat what you like. Calculate your daily calorie goal and make sure you reach that with foods that you can tolerate and like.

TavistockToad · July 2018

BZAH10 wrote: »

As already stated, just eat smaller portions of the food you like. It may not provide all the nutrients you need but if you've been able to start exercising successfully and already feel better then don't make eating a complicated issue that distracts you.

Yes, if you truly want to overcome the issues then some sort of therapy would be advisable. Otherwise, eat what you like. Calculate your daily calorie goal and make sure you reach that with foods that you can tolerate and like.

And take a multi vitamin

Lounmoun · July 2018

I do eat some fruits - apples (no peel), oranges, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries - that's it. I primarily live off of chicken nuggets, macaroni, and ranch dressing. Toddlers, quite literally, eat better than I do.

Start logging everything you do eat as accurately as you can. To lose 1 lb a week you need to eat 500 calories less a day or burn 500 more calories a day or a combination of eating less and burning more.

Eat the foods you do like. Reduce portion sizes. Buy or make lower calorie versions of the foods you do like. Unless you can make yourself eat other foods that is all you can do.

It could be worth it to talk to a medical professional or therapist about these eating issues since you are so limited.
Explore why you are so limited with food. Was it always this way? Is it the texture or taste of certain foods? What happens if you try to eat a different food? Do you vomit if you try to eat grilled chicken vs chicken nuggets?

claritea1 · July 2018

I am also extremely picky. Not quite as bad, but nearly. Like suggested, I just eat less of the foods I like and I weigh and measure portions. And I take a daily multivitamin. The scale is moving in the right direction, even without eating extremely healthy and balanced.

mnfva1 · July 2018

I am also a super picky eater or recovering one. When I was younger I basically lived off of cheese pizza, chicken tenders, hamburgers, french fries and mac n cheese.... as I've gotten older I learned I have celiac, cant eat gluten anymore and am allergic to soy and dairy so I had to find other food to eat real quick. That being said I still can't eat a bite of salad or any beans (except green beans) without gagging.

With vegetables I started with disguising them in foods where they werent noticeable. Ie having rice thay was 9/10 rice and 1/10 riced cauliflower. Then slowly changed the percentage around til I could eat just the cauliflower.

With the other vegetables I've managed to train my body to eat , I started with just eating one (ex:meaning one green bean) everytime they were cooked and increased it by one every few times. I've now gotten to the point where I'm eating veggie pastas and liking them. It honestly took me about 3 years of intentionally and slowing making myself eat just a little bit each day.

Picky Eater to the extreme

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