Meal Ideas for a Picky Eater TT^TT

You say you are a really picky eater but the other guidance you gave is that you won't eat fish. It would be helpful to know what you do like to eat.

You might find Pinterest helpful because that is an easy way to find lots of different versions of the same food. Also, it is not too difficult to make the same food have fewer calories when you make it at home versus buying from a restaurant. As an example, if you like burgers try making them at home. Switch up the buns and try different toppings. Add fruit and vegetables as sides rather fries or onion rings.

Unfortunately I don’t have any ideas for you, but I know how you feel. I’m 54 and it sounds like I’m even pickier than you as I don’t like chicken or eggs. I know the struggle to find healthy items that I’ll actually eat which is probably a big reason why weight loss has been a failure every time. Good luck and know you aren’t the only one struggling.

We live in a great age for low-calorie high-fiber bread/tortillas. Sandwiches. Sandwiches everywhere.
Also for riced cauliflower. For me, if I dunk it in enough sauce or serve it with enough other stuff, I can't tell I'm not eating rice.

Also, scrambled eggs and chicken is like, 1/3 of my diet, lol. Add fruit and you're off to a decent start. Plus that bread for sandwiches and toast, pfft. And then add in whatever veg you can stomach.

The most important thing for weight loss is reducing calories. How you do it is up to you, but it should be sustainable for you. If you're not going to eat kale or those weird rubber-band noodles (shirataki?) for the rest of your life, don't bother with them now. Just eat what you like to eat, try to make substitutions you like for better health, and just eat a little less than you used to in order to maintain your calorie deficit.

rattusknits wrote: »

puffbrat wrote: »

You say you are a really picky eater but the other guidance you gave is that you won't eat fish. It would be helpful to know what you do like to eat.

You might find Pinterest helpful because that is an easy way to find lots of different versions of the same food. Also, it is not too difficult to make the same food have fewer calories when you make it at home versus buying from a restaurant. As an example, if you like burgers try making them at home. Switch up the buns and try different toppings. Add fruit and vegetables as sides rather fries or onion rings.

I didn't know how to really explain what I will eat, but basically I feel like I eat the same diet as a picky toddler. Chicken fingers, burgers, scrambled eggs, some fruit, hardly any vegetables (I don't like cooked vegetables, and like very few raw), pizza, pasta, bagels

I feel like just really simple foods, less prep/cook time/skill the better. I think I just get lost typing in "easy chicken dinner" and just winding up with 10 things that are basically just baked chicken fingers. If that makes sense? Or just not knowing what to look for in general.

Sorry, I didn't see your reply until now. That makes sense. I used to be just a little less picky than you are so I understand how hard it can be in general and especially when trying to lose weight.

For things like chicken - look into different sauces and marinades to change things up. Many sauces are actually very easy to make and require very little prep. So if you don't like them it's not a big deal. You of course have to be aware of the calories they add but with portion control, it can still be very workable.

Something I have commented on other threads is that I will add zucchini to just about anything. In most cases it adds very low calorie volume with no change in flavor. For instance, you could add shredded zucchini to burgers at home. Just use a cheese grater to shred one zucchini, squeeze the zucchini in a towel to get a lot of the excess moisture out, and then add it to the raw beef. Now make your burgers the same size you usually do. You will get more burger patties and each one will be fewer calories.

Another suggestion of something my husband and I make often is quesadillas. These can be a little higher calorie (I usually just eat half of a quesadilla/one tortilla). A favorite of ours is goat cheese, monterey jack, corn, black beans, and red bell pepper. But you could make it whatever you want. And you could always substitute for a low calorie tortilla. Quesadillas actually stay pretty well in the fridge or you can make the filling before hand and just take a few minutes each day to put it in a tortilla and cook.

For pasta - I love making sauceless pastas. One in particular that I make a lot is garlic, sausage, broccoli, red pepper flakes, noodles, and parmesan. Super fast and easy to make, tastes good, and relatively low calorie.

I know you said simple foods, but pizza is awesome to make at home. It does take some practice, but also allows you to customize not just the toppings but the amounts. So you can make a thinner crust pizza with a little less sauce and cheese, etc. and still have the great taste with fewer calories than a take out pizza.