OMG this is SO ME! I can't stand veggies...their texture is horrible...the only veggie I eat is Potato, and I don't really consider that a veggie at all. But I can also detect tiny hidden veggies and will stop eating whatever I find them in. And as for sneaking food in, a la The Sneaky Chef/Deceptively Delicious, the amount of veggies is so small, I can't see getting the full nutritional value of veggies from those recipes, let alone sneak in the 2-4 cups a day one is supposed to eat for a "healthy diet." Isn't there a healthy diet out there that DOESN'T focus solely on eating one's vegetables?
I think there's definitely a psychological component here because the texture of veggies is so varied, if you don't like the texture of say, cooked peas, that is totally different than raw carrots, crispy and crunchy, or pureed turnip, which is smooth and creamy. It's great you're working on this by trying different veggies, and I wish you luck. Just keep trying, even if you try 50 different things and only find 3 or 4 that you like, you're better off than now! Try boiling, steaming, sauteeing, roasting, grilling, microwaving. Maybe walk through a farmer's market and pick something you've never had before that looks appealing.
I have never had a problem with not liking veggies, but when I started my plan, I did have a problem with eating the required 4.5 cups of veggies/day. Now I have no problem and regularly eat 5 or 6 cups/day, it's become a habit!
What kind of flavors do you like? Sweet, tangy, sweet and sour, cheesy, creamy, nutty, asian, citrus, hot and spicy, smoky? I'm sure we can make some specific suggestions.
I can commisserate with you. I understand food trauma completely, although for me it is not veggies it is soft boiled eggs.
I had no weight issues as a kid, I slightly underweight even. My mother made soft boiled eggs one morning, and wanted me to eat them. I was not going for that, I would rather have had a bowl of Trix or toast. She was a bit of a food ****, unfortunately and after sitting there and not touching them for x amount of time, she decided to take the matter in hand herself.
She took the spoon, yelled 'open' , shoved it into my mouth and said 'swallow'. Well, gang, I am sure you more or less know where this story is going.
I barely made it to the living room and then..........yep, never made it to the bathroom !! ( I am trying to make this story as little graphic as possible !! )
I hate the sight, smell and taste of eggs to this day and this story is about 43years old.
I think perhaps professional help for you maybe effective, since you have a problem with all veggies.
I wish you the best of luck, they provide so much good nutrition and fiber I would hate for you to lose out on nutrients.
I was just discussing this with my husband the other day. i really think that my pickiness to foods in general comes from hearing constantly "you wouldn't like that" from my parents who either- didn't want to buy whatever "it" was or honestly didn't want to go to the trouble of preparing something for me that i'd whine about anyway. when i was little there were like 5 items i was willing to eat.
i am just now branching out into items of the unknown. there are a lot of fruits and veggies that i can't stand. and other things too like cottage cheese, watermelon, and creamed corn- just from a texture standpoint i cannot stomach. and anything i've ever thrown up is out of the question - so no ramen noodles, snickers, or corn dogs (this is probably a good thing).
veggies are hard - because i think a lot of it comes down to how you grew up. i hated veggies as a kid, they were gross because they all came from a can. frozen and fresh is so much better. grilling and roasting seems to bring out the most flavors. if i can't do that- i toss it in a wok. and flavoring - like garlic, or even some salt and pepper, sometimes a toss of olive oil or even tiny bit of butter can make a difference to me.
there are still things i'm picky about- i'll eat a tomato or cucumber but only if the seeds are scooped out. i still hate carrots and red peppers. i think the key is to keep trying. once in a while i'll taste something i've always hated just to see if i still hate it. sometimes i surprise myself.
and please- don't start out with Brussels sprouts!
God, Meredith, you and I could be relatives. And I also feel a lot better seeing this thread....because I am so socially embarrassed by my own picky eating.
Trouble is, for me, except for apples and apple sauce, I don't like ANY fruits, either. I will drink juices like V8 fusion (I like the berry pomegranite one).
But the veggie thing is VERY familiar. If you put it on my plate w/o completely adulterating it into something unrecognizable as a veggie, (Raw, for example, or even cooked but alone) I won't eat it. They literally make me gag. And the funny thing is that I don't remember any experience growing up that made it happen. My mom says when I was a baby I loved carrots and all sorts of veggies and fruits. But I never remember liking them or eating them.
I eat things w/ veggies in them...such as pizza (tomato sauce only, though, not the ones on top!) or spaghetti w/ a marinara sauce, but if it is too chunky I can't stand it. I do eat a lot of veggies in soups...pretty much when they are mushy and don't taste like veggies anymore (because, for example, they taste like chicken or beef broth they are soaking in!).
I have tried everything...and it is funny that you mention having to be alone to experiment. I do, too. There's something about everyone watching me, hoping I will finally change into someone who isn't a pain in the *** to go to dinner with!!! I don't know. I've got this weird thing about eating around my family because they all desperately want me not to be this picky eater and I hate letting them down. I feel really self conscious at parties and stuff because I feel like everyone is watching what I put on my plate...and that they are looking down on me for not liking a wide variety of healthy foods.
So, yeah, some counseling would be nice but I don't think there's anyone out there that can cure this taste aversion thing. I will keep watching this thread though to see if any good hints that I haven't already tried pop up.
One time I boiled all these disgusting veggies...broccoli, cauliflower, etc w/ stuff I DO like...like potatoes and carrots (again, they have to be cooked!) and I put all kind of spices I like and herbs and then I pureed it. It was pretty decent, but I still find that I can't get too jazzed about going thru all that just to get enough veggies.
If the texture of veggies is what puts you off most then perhaps you could use an immersion blender to puree them so they are smooth, or perhaps you could even buy jars of vegetable baby food so insure you get them. What do you think?
Another thing.....you could make a large vegetable soup and then puree it so that you can sip on it, you know, kind of like tomato soup, only utilizing a larger variety of veggies at one time.
My immersion blender is my best friend. You should try one out.
Last edited by InnerChild; 10-05-2008 at 12:53 PM.
Hey have you guys heard of this show? It is called Freaky Eaters and it is about eating disorders. Most of the people they feature on the show can't eat fruit or vegetables and they get help to improve their diets. Maybe some of the tricks they use will help you!
If that link doesn't work you can just search for "freaky eaters" on youtube.
PS I thought people with food aversions were just wussies before watching this show but wow, there really is a psychological component to it. I feel really bad now.
I also do not like veggies, but unlike most of you its not due to a childhood trauma...although it should be...LOL. Oh do I have stories.
The taste of most vegetables is very potent to me. Ok, so to you, what does iceburg lettuce taste like? Most people answer that with "nothing". To me on the other hand , it tastes like fresh cut grass smells...very musty and over powering to anything it is on or in. A taco bell taco can have one tiny shred of lettuce in it and I will taste it. I do like green beans and corn. I have tried asparagus in a sauce that was tolerable, but broccoli and califlower are totally unpalatable. Zucchini is tolerable with lots of butter, not so healthy when I'm on restricted calories...LOL. I actually worked with 2 people at one company that had the same taste issues with veggies.
I struggle with getting vegetables, I do like soup, but it doesn't satisfy my hunger especially without crackers. As I get older, some of the veggies don't have as strong a flavor but it is still a struggle to eat them.
I am so glad I am not the only one with veggie issues.
