Cookout Food For Picky Eater

[Saphire]

I need some suggestions. We are having a couple to our house for dinner. We have been out with them once, and I learned that she is a very picky eater. She said she has a lot of dislikes, and mentioned cheese and pasta for instance. We will have burgers on the grill as I know she likes that. But for the rest of the meal I am stumped. I do not want to call and ask.

Can you give some suggestions of sides and/or appetizers that you would serve? Thanks!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I know you said you don't want to call and ask but that is what I would do just to avoid the guessing game.

 

[worm761]

I would go with standard stuff and she can pick and choose what she likes. You can only accommodate people if you know what they like and you don't want to call and ask so you can't really accommodate her.

I would go with a fruit/veggie tray with dips (ranch and hummus in my house). A variety of chips to go with the burgers. I would still have potato/pasta salads for those that like them. A variety of drinks. And fruit/cupcakes for dessert.

When you are that picky you learn to either bring what you eat or to just pick around to get your fill from what is offered. I am both a hostess and a former picky eater that is still somewhat picky.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Picky eater here. My advice is to keep things as dimple as possible.

Plain chips, veggies, melon, salad with cheese and dressing on the side. Maybe a plain baked potato.

 

[Meriweather]

My adult DD is a very picky eater.
She will do burgers, chips and grilled corn. That is it.
She might pick at some melon

 

[Janepod]

Are you talking about an adult? Sorry, in the absence of actual allergies, she should just suck it up. Or go to a restaurant and she can get whatever she wants.

 

[GigglyFigment]

Call and ask. Approach it as "I want to make sure I have foods you'd enjoy" rather than "I know you're picky, what is it that you CAN eat?"

Sometimes "picky" people just have issues with consistency, temperature, etc. or sensitivities to food. I don't have full-blown food allergies, but there are foods I avoid because I don't want to deal with the consequences. I'd be shocked if she wasn't used to people asking for more information. It'd be especially nice to have the information if this isn't the last time you'll ever eat with them.

I don't know what the rest of her "picky" eating is, but avoiding cheese and pasta isn't really "picky". Maybe she's allergic/sensitive to certain foods. I don't like pasta because it makes me feel incredibly full and gross after just a few bites and dairy in the afternoon/evening has me regretting my decision shortly after swallowing. Not all "picky" eaters are picky in the same way - it's not a catch-all - and without knowing more, you don't know if she has an allergy or sensitivity that prevents her from being able to eat everything she'd like.

I guess I really don't understand why one wouldn't call - what if you fix/purchase things and the only thing she can eat IS a burger?

Are you talking about an adult? Sorry, in the absence of actual allergies, she should just suck it up. Or go to a restaurant and she can get whatever she wants.

That's just it - they've only eaten out one other time. OP hasn't talked to her so how does she know they aren't allergies or sensitivities? I don't usually feel the need to explain at the dinner table exactly why I don't eat things - it's much easier to say "I don't like that" rather than "I need that without cheese because I'll be on the toilet all night if I do eat it." Furthermore, lots of people have undiagnosed allergies - they just know that when they eat something they feel sick.

Maybe I'm "old-fashioned", but I don't think it's crazy to call up and ask what someone would like to eat when you're inviting them over to your house TO EAT. OP doesn't need to make every single dish something the woman would like, but it'd be nice to know for sure that she would be able to eat something other than a burger.

 

[Nancyg56]

Call and ask. Approach it as "I want to make sure I have foods you'd enjoy" rather than "I know you're picky, what is it that you CAN eat?"

Sometimes "picky" people just have issues with consistency, temperature, etc. or sensitivities to food. I don't have full-blown food allergies, but there are foods I avoid because I don't want to deal with the consequences. I'd be shocked if she wasn't used to people asking for more information. It'd be especially nice to have the information if this isn't the last time you'll ever eat with them.

I don't know what the rest of her "picky" eating is, but avoiding cheese and pasta isn't really "picky". Maybe she's allergic/sensitive to certain foods. I don't like pasta because it makes me feel incredibly full and gross after just a few bites and dairy in the afternoon/evening has me regretting my decision shortly after swallowing. Not all "picky" eaters are picky in the same way - it's not a catch-all - and without knowing more, you don't know if she has an allergy or sensitivity that prevents her from being able to eat everything she'd like.

I guess I really don't understand why one wouldn't call - what if you fix/purchase things and the only thing she can eat IS a burger?

This is exactly what I would do. I got into the habit of asking my guests if they have any allergies or foods that they simply do not like. I found out the hard way that it is better to ask after I cooked a meal for some of my DH friends, only to find that they only eat simple hot dogs or burgers, and "fancy" foods make her sick. They ate nothing. I mean they picked a little and then went home because her stomach was queasy. My beautiful roast pork and Parmesan potatoes, were barely touched. No salad, no veggies and no dessert.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I am pretty picky too, but have gotten a lot better as I have gotten older. With that being said, I don't eat eggs or cheese. Since she doesn't like cheese either, as long as you make some plain burgers, she should be fine. i would also do corn on the cob, because I mean seriously, who doesn't like corn lol.

This is where my pickiness comes in. I don't like egg in potato salad, since I don't eat eggs. Also, everyone seems to put cheese in their green salad and in their pasta salad, so I wouldn't touch those either. But, it doesn't mean I expect everyone else to cook just what I want. I have learned to pick the egg out of my helping of potato salad if the chunks are big enough, and also the same for pasta salad.

I would say make what you and your family like to eat, with maybe the corn and a green salad which even the pickiest of eaters would probably eat.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

If you are going to have potato salad with mayo I would do a pasta salad without mayo.

Oops, just realized she doesn't eat pasta. Hmm. I don't have many ideas.

 

[mtemm]

I don't eat potato or pasta salad (don't like mayo, don't like oils or dressings). Honestly, though, I find cookouts to be very easy. burgers, chicken, etc are usual. fruit salad or cut up melon. crudité (I just skip the dip and munch on the veggies). I'm happy if there is that. And if they put dressing on the side of a green salad instead of on top, I am even happier.

Is she bringing a dish at all? sometimes that can make a picky person feel very comfortable because they know they like what they bring. except for me, I tend to make things I find interesting and that others love, even though I don't like them myself. lol.

I think the biggest thing for me as a somewhat picky eater is that I hate when attention is called to it. I have never gone somewhere where I can't find something to eat, I'm not as picky as others, but I do hate when people comment on what I am eating, or what I am not eating.

 

[Saphire]

I think the biggest thing for me as a somewhat picky eater is that I hate when attention is called to it.

That is exactly why I don't want to call. She mentioned it just briefly in the conversation, and I simply don't want to highlight it by calling and asking. That's why I am asking all of you instead.

Thank you for the great ideas. I will have a simple fruit salad, some veggies and dip, chips, hummus and crackers. Then will make some salads that she may or may not eat, but with the other stuff it should be fine. Thanks again!

 

[mtemm]

I think what you are having sounds perfect. and honestly, at the end of the day she knows she is picky, and knows if she will need to eat something before or after. she's probably coming not for the food, but for the company. relax and enjoy!!!!

 

[minkydog]

I need some suggestions. We are having a couple to our house for dinner. We have been out with them once, and I learned that she is a very picky eater. She said she has a lot of dislikes, and mentioned cheese and pasta for instance. We will have burgers on the grill as I know she likes that. But for the rest of the meal I am stumped. I do not want to call and ask.

Can you give some suggestions of sides and/or appetizers that you would serve? Thanks!

I don't do "picky eaters." If you aren't sure of her likes and dislikes, you're gonna have to call her. Perhaps she can bring a dish or two to share that she knows she can eat. Hopefully she's not one of those who expects everyone to work around her particular recipes.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't do "picky eaters." .

Would it be different if the person was a vegetarian or vegan by choice? I don't get why it's ok to worry about making someone who chooses a specific dietary lifestyle happy is ok, but you shouldn't cater to picky people.

 

[minkydog]

Would it be different if the person was a vegetarian or vegan by choice? I don't get why it's ok to worry about making someone who chooses a specific dietary lifestyle happy is ok, but you shouldn't cater to picky people.

I don't consider vegetarians or vegans "picky." My DD20 is vegetarian and I have no trouble accommodating her needs. I have a niece who is extremely picky--can only eat one brand of hot dogs, won't eat veggies, won't eat fruit, won't eat meat other than chicken nuggets(a specific brand) or hot dogs, doesn't eat pasta, doesn't drink water or fruit juice (tea only). When she visits I have my sister bring the niece's food with her.

 

[Allison]

Are you talking about an adult? Sorry, in the absence of actual allergies, she should just suck it up. Or go to a restaurant and she can get whatever she wants.

It sounds like the op wants to be a gracious host and try to provide something her guest would like. It doesn't appear to be a case of just suck it up.

 

[firecracker725]

I need some suggestions. We are having a couple to our house for dinner. We have been out with them once, and I learned that she is a very picky eater. She said she has a lot of dislikes, and mentioned cheese and pasta for instance. We will have burgers on the grill as I know she likes that. But for the rest of the meal I am stumped. I do not want to call and ask.

Can you give some suggestions of sides and/or appetizers that you would serve? Thanks!

I'm a picky eater, and I would never expect someone to cater to my likes if they are serving the food. I can usually find something on any menu. That being said, I think it's very kind of you to consider her preferences. I'd just ask her straight out if there's anything special she'd like you to prepare/avoid. Otherwise, just keep it simple with plain chips and maybe a salad.

 

[GigglyFigment]

That is exactly why I don't want to call. She mentioned it just briefly in the conversation, and I simply don't want to highlight it by calling and asking. That's why I am asking all of you instead.

I can totally understand that, however as you can see from the whole list of different things people are picky about she might be picky in a different way as well.

I really don't think calling her and asking her what she would like to eat would be drawing attention to it (and definitely not in the manner the person you quoted mentioned). If she had said "I'm allergic" instead of "I'm picky", wouldn't you be calling for clarification?

I just think there's potential for MORE embarrassment by not just simply calling asking what she likes to eat. Something that I honestly think is a pretty common thing to do when inviting someone over whose food preferences you're unfamiliar with - whether they're allergic, picky, or not.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I know you said you don't want to call and ask but that is what I would do just to avoid the guessing game.

Maybe even ask her to bring her favorite dish that goes with burgers.