I've honestly gotten to the point where I feel like I'd rather just not eat. I've debated several times on doing a liquid diet just so I don't have to think about it anymore! Here are the issues I'm dealing with:
1. This is probably the most common issue, but I don't like vegetables. I see people always ask what they don't like about them, and I think for me it's the texture first and the taste second. For example I like tomato sauce but not tomatoes or chunky tomato sauce. I like onion or garlic powder added to foods, but not onion or garlic themselves. Etc, etc. Really the only vegetables I eat are potatoes and sweet potatoes. And of course on both of those I use gobs of butter.
2. I stopped eating meat. I'll occasionally have chicken, but very rarely. I end up biting into it and seeing a vein or something and won't touch it again for weeks. I used to be able to do pork chops or lean steak cut up like carne asada. That was actually how I lost weight before. I ate a lot of carne asada burritos and lifted a lot of weights. I guess I should add here that I also don't eat beans. Another texture issue, I hate that pasty center when you bite into them.
3. I have a stomach issue that keeps me from eating quite a few healthy foods that I do like including watermelon, bananas, some nuts, and corn. It also happened the couple times I've managed a salad, but I'm not sure what specifically caused it. I've been to the doctor several times for this but they never figured out what it was. After a while they just kind of dismissed it like I was either crazy or it was somehow linked to my weight (even though I had it was the same at my and low weights).
Currently I'm keeping track of calories, but they're all from unhealthy foods and my fat intake is way to high and my protein is way too low. I end up eating a couple small, unhealthy meals and I feel crappy because of it. I just don't know how to create a "normal" menu out of the foods I eat or how to get over this mental block of wanting stuff I like or nothing at all.
Whew. Thanks for letting me vent. I just don't have anyone to talk to about it besides my thin, meat and vegetable eating, runner husband. He's certainly no help.
I can certainly relate- I have intermittent "Texture" issues with food that keep me from eating things for months at a time, though I usually go back.
What kinds of foods do you like? If you could have anything you wanted- what would you have? Zeroing on what you do like should help you find healthier alternatives.
For vegetables- I think you need to get creative. Don't try plain steamed veggies yet, it probably won't be the right fit for you. But maybe try a more involved dish that mimics a texture you do like- perhaps cauliflower au gratin instead of potato au gratin, zucchini noodles instead of pasta, eggplant parmesan, etc. You can also try the Sneaky Chef cookbooks- they use purees, etc. to sneak extra veggies in to things. I do crockpot chili with beans, turkey, and canned tomatoes. Then I add in canned greened beans, carrots, beets, some fresh zucchini, etc. You may not agree with all the textures at first- but you could try blending it at first and easingyour way in.
Do you like refried or mashed beans instead?
I think we all have food hang ups that we need to work around, but eventually you'll find a way. Good luck!
Two thoughts came to mind -- one, can you list all the foods that you do like to eat here, including fruit so that we can help you make up meals from them ... for instance, you can have an omelette from eggs & cheese and that is healthy for breakfast with a slice of whole grain toast.
Which fruit do you like and do you like yogurt? You can have cheddar cheese and a couple of wg crackers for a snack; an apple, orange, pear, peach, etc for snacks and/or dessert too. You said you don't mind a little lean beef or pork so have that a few times a week. What about tuna or salmon? Do you like them? You can have that on a sandwich for lunch or even for dinner.
Do you like grilled cheese? Do you like and kinds of soup? You could have tomato soup and grilled cheese. You can have whole grain pasta and tomato sauce. Are there ANY veggies that you do like? Do you like COOKED veggies of any kind? Carrots have a different texture when they are cooked, as do turnip, squash, zucchini, and pumpkin.
You can have the potatoes and sweet potatoes, just limit your butter to 1-2 tsp across the top. I like the idea of pureed veggies; have you ever tried those fruit & veggie juices you can get in the grocery now? You can't even tell there are any veggies in them. Do you like tomato juice or V-8 veggie juice; another sneaky way to get veggies in.
Remember eggs & cheese & fish & nuts are all protein, and there is some in yogurt, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and ice cream too. What do you think?
I have stomach issues so I can relate to a few things you say. I can't eat fruit most of the time except a few things and somtimes the healthy food just won't work.
I personally understand wanting to go on a liquid diet. my only suggestion is to find complete nutrition. Ensure/boost etc is made for complete nutrition. medifast may be also. Slimfast, not a fan. I may be one of the few that would say go for it.
What about some meat alternatives? I like gardenburgers. Health is Wealth has fake buffalo wings that are good. Steamed edamame is good, too.
What about pureed veggie soups? Trader Joe's has a roasted red pepper tomato bisque that is really good. Especially now that Fall is here, you could make your own soups. I made a curried butternut squash soup that was pretty good. I also like split-pea soups, and you can puree that to give it the smooth texture.
Good on you for asking Doctor about it.
It is a good start to realise that the key to good health short and long term is fresh fruit and vegetables.
As long as you have the negative mentality towards the ones you don't like then you will have this problem.
I wonder what your stomach issue is with the fruit. Have you tried having peppermint tea before / after? As this aides digestion and helps with reflux and heartburn. Another suggestion is Milk - but this doesn't work well with high acidity products. How do low fat Banana smoothie/ milkshakes go for you.
Thanks for the responses. A lot of you asked about what foods I do like so here's a list first:
Fruits (strawberries, apples, canned peaches, sometimes grapes)
Yogurt
Eggs
Cheese (any but the super salty crumbled kinds like feta)
Bread, pasta, cereal, crackers, etc
Peanut Butter
Tomato soup
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes (prepared sweet, not savory)
Soy meat substitutes (like boca burger and morningstar sausage, not veggie burgers)
Milk, ice cream
I'm sure there are other things, but those are the ones that came to mind from what you all mentioned. I can do cottage cheese sometimes but not a ton of it. I've never been a big smoothie person.
Justwant2Bhealthy: I've never tried regular v8, but I have had the fusion kind and it's pretty good. And boy do I wish I could do nuts. I've had stomach problems with both almonds and walnuts so I'm afraid to try anything else. I think macadamias are okay though.
Cookc04: The ironic thing is anything mint tends to make me nauseous. Like I can't chew mint gum, I always have to get fruit or bubble gum flavors. I've tried other digestive aids, but they unfortunately haven't helped.
I totally get the texture thing! Have you tried preparing vegetables different ways? That can make a big difference.
For example, I hate canned green beans. They're all slimy and salty....ugh. But fresh green beans steamed just until they're crisp tender? One of my favs. Or brussels sprouts. Boiled until they're gummy mush makes me gag. But steamed or roasted and they're just extraordinary. Or broccoli. The frozen stuff is always wet and limpy. But fresh broccoli steamed until it is just barely tender is yummy.
I never used to like a lot of vegetables either. So I agree with the suggestions of preparing them differently to change the texture. But don't give up on trying them!
You can teach yourself to get over the texture thing, I promise. I used to hate anything with little "pebbles" in it, like cottage cheese or oatmeal. But after making myself try them over and over - I love them now! Texture is something you can get used to (it's something that puts a lot of people off sushi in the beginning, but so many come around eventually).
Also, try mixing your veggies with things you do like. For example, when I tried to get kids to like carrots, I would shred them together with apples, added a bit of lemon juice, chopped nuts and - they loved it. Try adding pieces of roasted red pepper to a bite of potato.
Finally, I agree with cook: If you convince yourself you don't like the veggies - you won't. Go at it with a positive attitude. Have small portions at first together with things you like. If you try to eat an entire veggie meal off the bat, it's bound to be difficult. But like I said: You can teach yourself to like them - and for being healthy long-term, potatoes just don't cut it. You "taught" yourself that you don't like certain textures (kids aren't born with that attitude) - you can unteach yourself!
Most of us have to learn to eat new foods or foods we thought we disliked to be truly successful at not only losing but at maintaining. It's all a matter of learning to prepare the food so you do like it.
Unless you are planning on doing a liquid diet the rest of your life, what is the point? You have to learn to eat healthy meals to be successful. If you get to goal on liquids, you'll have no idea how to do maintenance.
I can TOTALLY relate to the veggie issue. I don't any veggies raw. Period. Since me and my hubby are doing low carb, it's been difficult because I basically eat broccoli, green beans and cabbage. I do like corn and most beans, but they aren't typically low in carbs. I also don't eat any fruit except bananas. I have texture and taste issues too. Lettuce makes me feel like I just grabbed a handful of grass in the front yard and put it in my mouth. Tomatoes, raw, taste like dirt. I try the foods frequently, as these are things my husband eats frequently. His salad looks really good and I'll try a bite, but I always struggle to swallow it without feeling like I'm going to gag. I envy people who enjoy eating fruits and veggies. Dieting without those things isn't easy. All of my veggies have to be cooked to a pulp. The thought of a crispy green bean (which I have tried) is disgusting to me. My green beans are cooked well, my broccoli is super soft and cabbage is cooked until only the stalk has a tiny crunch to it. I wonder if that would help you? To cook things "to death"? It's the only way I'll eat carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower (which I can barely eat), etc.
I hate coconut b/c of the texture. I always hated almonds b/c of their texture, but found that the Cocoa Almonds in the green canister (they also come in 100 cal. packs) are a softer, nice texture. I HATE lima beans b/c they are dry. I had okra once - it was slimey and disgusting. Ha! So - anyways - I totally understand the texture thing. I don't like weird textures in my mouth. Fish is ok until I bite into a bone, then I want to gag for the rest of my meal.
My word of advise: EXPERIMENT, EXPERIMENT, EXPERIMENT. I thought I hated ALL veggies... but I have found some I like. Try them roasted, try them pureed and mixed into spaghetti sauce. Try ones that look funny. Try ones you've never heard of. Try them raw. Try them mixed together (I love butternut squash and broccoli mixed together). Try different spices. Try them with oil or vinegar or lemon juice (or with all three!)
Try new whole grains: barley, quinoa, etc.
Try new fruits.
Have a glass of wine and THEN try them if you are nervous... I find a glass of wine before trying something really crazy (like escargot) makes me a little bolder and a little more receptive to it. Not that I am saying you should drink wine for every meal... but maybe when the weekend rolls around and you want to try out some new stuff... it could help.
Luckily for me, I don't have that issue at all, I love all sorts of veggies. My daughter, however, is kinda like you -- there are only a couple key veggies she enjoys. What I have done a few times is take her to Whole Foods, where they have a HUGE variety of different, exciting, and exotic produce, and have her choose one that she might like to try. Then you can look online for different healthy recipes that include your pick. She doesn't always like what she picked, but she's always very excited to try it!
Thanks again everyone. I went to the store today and got some boca chick'n patties and they were so good! I hadn't tried them before, and finding something new sort of boosted my mood in regards to the whole food issue. I didn't get any vegetables, but our store's selection is pretty basic. I'm going to go like shannonmb suggested and pick out a couple new things at our produce place (called Sprouts here). The great thing is whatever I don't like my guinea pig will be happy to eat
Knowing that I'm not the only one with these texture issues is great too. I guess I'm not too weird!
Food is driving me crazy!
