I'm a very picky eater. I don't like mayo, mustard, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, any kind of pepper, most veggies, anything spicy and some other things that I can't think of at the moment. I like carrots and celery but not cooked. Can't have too much dairy products, it has it's way with my stomach after awhile. Not huge on pork nowadays, it seems to have the same affect as milk and cheese for some reason. I'm a huge fan of dark meat.

So what can I eat that is healthy? Oh I should say I don't mind mayo mixed in the tuna for a sandwich but on anything else I hate it. I'm like a little kid when it comes to food.

This is kind of tongue in cheek ... but ... learn not to be so picky? There's actual dislike and then there's just "picky" ... and while I can understand the one, I think the other is somewhat self-indulgent.

Ok, being serious - a lot of food dislikes are learned. Yeah, there are some foods that people REALLY dislike. I don't like brussels sprouts becuase they taste really really bitter to me. I'm not fond of lima beans for the same reason, although baby limas taste better than others.

THere are so many different ways to prepare different foods, that I think saying you don't like an entire group of foods is kind of being shortsighted. "Veggies" for example, incorporates a HUGE range of foods of different textures and flavors. And even more when you consider you can boil, steam, roast, bake, grill, toast, or puree most veggies. I find it really hard to believe that someone really doesn't like every veggie in every single possible way it can be prepared.

Part of that, I think, is learning to define what it is that you don't like? Is it the flavor? The texture? Raw? Cooked? Try different varieties and try preparing them differently.

And I'll be honest, sometimes you just have to keep trying something and build a taste for it. Soemtimes things just don't exactly click with you the first time and you have to acquire a taste.

I grew up overseas and the way my mom raised us, we were not allowed to have blanket dislikes. We were NEVER allowed to say "I don't like that" w/out trying at least 3 bites of it. And gagging noises would get us grounded. My brother and I were each allowed to have 2 things that we would not eat and otherwise, we were expected to eat what was served. I used to think it was unfair and hated it ... but as an adult, I must say that I'm very thankful that my mom was firm on her stance.

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When I was a child and I got picky I didnt eat. If there was asparagus for supper and I didnt want it I didnt get anything else. If you really and truly want to be healthy then you should pull your boot straps up and tough it out. I hated fish but I experimented and I love love LOVE tilapia and its pretty cheap here. Alot of things are acquired.

Oh, somethign else. It's a biological fact that your tastebuds change as you grow older. The way you experience foods is simply different.

So if there's something you didn't like as a kid, don't take the view that if you didn't like it then, you'll never like it. As you grow older, your tastes change and you might find you like things you previously disliked.

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I'm not saying you are one of these but some people take great pride in being picky eaters. I have no patience for those who don't try new foods or different ways of fixing foods. I had to try something - just a spoonful - 3 times when I was growing up before I could say I didn't like it. Right now I can't think of anything I don't like. I will try anything. It has really helped me with the weight loss. Dark meat usually has more fat so is not the best choice due to more calories and cholesterol.

The strange thing about vegetables, whole grains and lower fat products is that as you start to eat them your digestion improves and you actually start to crave them. Eating processed carbs and heavier proteins without the natural fiber of veggies and whole grains can be making you feel yucky so that, like a drug, they make you crave them and only them. Maybe somebody else can help out here, but I know there is blog where a mom is trying to introduce her kids to every conceivable veggie and has great ideas. Start slow, build on your likes. Carrots for example (you like them raw)- can be much more than those tasteless "baby" carrots with ranch dip. They can be shredded and mixed with sugar free vanilla yogurt and some raisins for a tasty salad. They can be quick-pickled and used to top sandwiches. Also try to break out of your old thinking- fruits can be mixed with proteins for fun salads- grapes or mandarin oranges with chicken for example. There is so much info out their- make a promise to yourself to give yourself the gift of health and experiment away- it can be really fun.

I love a lot of stuff now that made me gag as a kid, and even as a teenager. The big ones that come to mind are onions, broccoli, bell peppers, and peas. I can eat raw onion like an apple these days.

If you haven't tried something in a few years, try it again now. You never know what your taste buds will think!

Also, it's okay to eat a lot of the same foods over and over again. The book "You on a Diet" recommends this as a diet strategy. It's easy and when people have a lot of choices for what to eat, they have a tendency eat more. The book actually suggests that you eat pretty much the same thing every day for most of your meals and snacks and just pick one meal to vary. I know I eat a lot of the same foods every day.

Also, I agree with everyone else that maybe you just need to get outside the box a little with your veggies. There are literally hundreds of different veggies that can be prepared hundreds of different ways; surely there are some that you like. If asked, my SO will tell you that he doesn't like veggies. And the list of veggies that he doesn't like is long: mushrooms, cauliflower, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, cooked cabbage, beets, lima beans, zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, cucumber. But the list of veggies he does like is equally long: green beans, fennel, celery, carrots, corn, potatoes, onions, chard, kale, soy beans, fava beans, pinto and similar beans, celeriac, peppers, bok choy, raw cabbage, tomato sauce, turnips, parsnips, kohlrabi, radishes.

Yes, there's LOTS out there. With a little experimentation and an open mind, there's lots to be found. I also agree that there's nothing wrong with sticking to a few favorites. And without a doubt, 100%, your tastes will change once you make the switch to a better diet.

This does remind me of something though. I've told my sister many times about some of the things that I eat and how during the week I really stick to the same few things. She says she's certain that I was so determined to lose the weight, that if I was forced to eat cardboard every single day, that I would be okay with that. Of course, that's not the truth, loving what I eat is a big reason I HAVE stuck with this for so long, but you get the point I'm sure.

Maybe you could get the Deceptively Delicious cook book? It's good because it teaches you how to sneak veggies into foods. Yes, it takes some prep work, but once you get into the swing of things, you'll be a lot heathier. I know it's for kids, but who cares? There's a recipe in there for brownies that have spinach in them and it's supposed to be amazing. I haven't tried it, but I"m just saying that there are ways to get around this. I totally get the Mayo dislike, but that's actually a good one to hate!