Ok... This is going to sound weird for some, but I have a problem eating fruit. Not just the taste, which I don't particularly care for, but it's the texture that really gets me... sometimes to the point where I gag. I also have the same problem with alot of vegetables, too. The only vegetables I eat, broccolli and spinach, have to be steamed till they're squishy and by that time, I've probably removed all the nutrients.

My aunt-in-law thinks it's a mind thing and she suggested hypnotherapy, but I'm not really into that.

I really do want to get over it though so I can start eating healthier, because as it is now, I'm overweight with absolutely no immune system and no energy. All I eat is meat, carbs and two steamed vegetables. But if I could learn to eat fruit and vegetables, then I would be alot healthier which would make me happier...

Does anyone else have this problem? Or maybe any suggestions on how to correct it?

I know someone who has this same problem with fruit, and there was actually a thread about this issue recently, although I'm not sure where it is.... so anyway, you're not alone.

You could just take vitamins and make sure you're getting all of the nutrients that veggies and fruit provide and things like fiber etc. But if you want to experiment with trying them, it seems like a great idea to me. I would suggest just don't assume you won't like a certain veggie or fruit until you've tried it, and every time you go grocery shopping bring home something new to try. You never know, you might find something you like. You could also try masking the taste/texture with yogurt, light salad dressing, dip etc.

Have you tried blending fruit into a smoothie? This would eliminate the texture you don't like. I make a smoothie for a meal replacement each day with 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of fruit and 1 scoop of protein powder (I use Vanilla Balance 30/40/40 - it tastes great!)

As far as veggies - you could make a pureed vegetable soup. Just cook the vegetable or vegetables in some chicken broth and the put the mixture in the blender (be sure to hold the lid on as hot soup in your face can be very unpleasant!) You can add a little milk or 1/2 and 1/2 if you like it creamy. Some good vegetables for this type of soup are asparagus, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower or mushroom. Split pea and ham soup is also very tasty. Pureed soups like this are also easier to digest for some people.

i have the same problem with pulpy fruit (peach, strawberry) i gag. glen

Penny-
Where do I purchase your Vanilla Balance 30/40/40 protein powder to make your smoothie? The smoothie sounds great, however, so many of the protein powders leave a terrible aftertaste in my mouth. I would love to try this protein powder, but have no idea where.
Thanks for your help!
CAROL

hi guys, im new to this whole healthy eating thing, and im not a fruit or veg fan at all! i bought myself a juicer and smoothie maker last week and its helping me get sum fruits and veggies down. the pure apple juice blended with sum icecubes is sooooo much nicer than what u buy in the shops. banana and strawberry smoothie is yum and doesnt taste like eating a banana which i hate and this morning i tried carrot and apple juice which i did not expect to like but thought start the day off healthily and force down sum veg and it was delicious!!

Thanks for the advice and info so far...

I have a couple of questions... First, do smoothies actually fill you up? Because the problem I have right now with the way I eat, I'm still hungry after eating a piece of meat and a serving of veggies and usually end up filling the gap with more side dishes, more snacks and more desserts.

My aunt has some capsules... one capsule for all your servings of veggies for the day and one for all the fruit. I haven't used them yet, because I haven't figured out what to put them in... but my husband has and he likes them.

I'd also like to know where to get the protein powder...

I will definitely try out the smoothies... as soon as I figure out how to use the blender. Does anyone have any delicious and healthy recipes?

Or maybe some cool recipes that make fruit taste yummy... and maybe disguise the texture? Man, I've gotta find a way to get over that. I'd give anything to not be so listless and malnourished.

Carol - I made a typo, it's actually Balance 40-30-30. I buy mine at Trader Joe's for about $12 for a l-1/2 lb. container. It's made by the same company that makes the Balance bars. Here is their website http://www.balance.com/products/total/main.asp

If you don't have a Trader Joe's in your area you might want to shop around if you buy it on the internet as some companies have it cheaper than others.

This is the best tasting meal replacement supplement I've tried, with no aftertaste (but others here have their own favorites). I don't get hungry for hours after I have my shake. They also make it in chocolate flavor, which is just like having a thick chocolate milk shake. I only use one scoop instead of two as that seems to be plenty for me. It's made from soy and whey and has lots of vitamins and minerals added. To save calories I use nonfat milk or almond milk and you can't tell it's not 2% or full milk.

Sometimes I have it for breakfast and sometimes for dinner. A good trick I've found lately is to have it as soon as I get hungry in the afternoon - usually around 4pm - and that stops me from uncontrollable snacking until dinner. Then for dinner I just have something very small like soup or cottage cheese or a boiled egg and rye crackers. Since I've been doing this I've started losing weight again after a stall

I use plain protein powder that I get at a bulk food store and blend it with fruit and water. It keeps me full for a long time, very satisfying. Protein'll do that for you.

Cool, I'll definitely have to find some of that stuff... I like the idea of no aftertaste. That's what has turned me off to so many meal replacement shakes I've tried in the past.

*puts that on her grocery list*

I just threw out some whey protein that had a funny aftertaste . I think you just have to try different protein powders till you find one that tastes good to you.

yogini recommended hemp protein. I've yet to try it - I wonder if it has some OTHER side effects!

You may want to try the fruit leathers. They are made with real fruit and the texture reminds me of sugar. They are one point and may be if you really like the flavor of certain ones, it may inspire you to try the real thing without gagging...you can also train your tongue so you just have to keep trying.