Seriously need healthy recipe help for a picky eater

[badblackpug]

And here we have the virtual white flag post. After numerous posts dodging the issue, knee jerk dont read my posts response.


Ironic, dont you think?

No one is dodging issues, I have given my opinion. The OP is in denial, she is refusing to accept responsibility for her own health or treatment. She needs to eat vegetables, she needs to grow up and learn to incorporate them in her diet.

The OP ate her way into an early heart attack by consuming a hi fat, hi carb, hi sodium diet. The damage has been done, there is no way to reverse it. Now she can work on lowering her blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, to stave off any future damage The way to do that is by exercising and eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and lean proteins, and by eliminating simple carbs, added sodium and lowering fat content.

The OP is responsible for the state of her health, and she is responsible for the improvement or decline of her state of health from here on out. The choices are hers to make. There is no time to waste. Neither I, nor L.Smith are responsible for her heart disease. If you need someone to blame for that look up the OP's parents who passed on the heart disease genes, and look up the OP who didn't do anything until it was too late.

 

[NotUrsula]

Mine do include some things that people love like cake frosting and pancake syrup/pancakes and I can't do the combo of cake and icecream because of the texture but I'm fine if they're seperate (and no icing), and while whip cream is okay I completly gag if I try to drink coffee or hot chocolate with whip cream in it. Tapioca...can't stand the little globules of gel. I am also one of those who passes on a fair amount of veggies because I don't like the texture. But it really is a matter of finding a veggie I like and a preperation that will pass the texture phobia.

The things mentioned in the quote above all have fairly firm or creamy textures both of which are much easier to take for me than slimey, squlchy, sandy or fiberous. Lots of people with texture issues eat pizza but it may only be cheese pizza, tacos may only have tortillas and meat, cheese may have to be whole and not melted, mayo may only be a thin layer on a sandwich but not mayo based salads because of hidden items.

One of my favorite meals to cook is Salsa Chicken. Normally I won't eat salsa because of the chunks of onion and pepper, I just can't deal with the feel or texture of those two veggies. However if I send the salsa through the food processor I'm fine with it. I won't eat cooked califlower but I'm fine with it raw. Overcooked veggies not going to happen, throw them in soup with a textures like rice or meat or beans to cover mushy veggies and I"m okay.

For the record I don't like pizza or mayo and tacos are hit and miss as I'm not real fond of any ground meat, but I do like chicken nuggets and cheese.

Yep, I'm right there with you; I buy salsa in the extra-large jars at Sam's Club, then take it home and immediately puree enough to fit in a smaller jar that lives in the fridge. I keep refilling as needed. I love the way mushrooms taste, but I can only eat them liquefied, as the slimy feel is intolerable to me if they are whole. I don't like icing, either, unless I make it myself and cut the sugar and fat.

I don't do tacos, never did. I eat very few forms of cheese, all them the lower-fat types, and when I do I eat it very sparingly; the oiliness of a lot of cheese makes my stomach feel like I've swallowed an anvil. I do love pizza, but I prefer it with a thinner crust, lots of sauce and very little cheese. I don't care for chicken nuggets but I will eat them, and while I don't dislike mayonnaise I prefer to use it sparingly and only in the "light" form, otherwise it is too heavy for my taste.

I agree with your opinion regarding the texture of the junk foods mentioned, and will take it one further: the other thing that they have in common is that they are loaded with salt. Like all mammals, humans crave salt, and are biologically programmed to like foods that contain it. Personally I have always had issues with overly salted foods for some reason; they make me queasy and always have done.

My 14 yo Aspie DS is one of the pickiest eaters on the planet because of texture issues, and he won't touch any visible veggies other than starches, but he really doesn't care for the starches very much, either; if he gets fries he will only eat a handful. He really eats very little, but puts away 4 gallons of skim milk every week and two quarts of water every day: those are the only liquids that ever pass his lips. He will eat chicken nuggets, but he strips all pizza down to crust and sauce and will only eat one piece. He does not ever ingest mayonnaise. His favorite foods are pastas and broiled seafoods and broiled chicken; but he won't touch breaded seafoods of any kind. He has to my knowledge never eaten a taco of any variety, and does not eat burgers, either. In spite of all this he is as healthy as a horse by all measures his pediatrician can devise; some people just have the metabolism for it, I guess.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree with everything you said except for the bolded. Those salads are a travesty and add ALMOST NOTHING to her diet. Fiber in romaine is negligible. It does have beta carotene and some vitamin C but really to call that a salad is unconscionable!

Very true. I hear all the time about how people eat healthy salads that consist of iceberg lettuce, croutons, and bad dressing. There are so many good lettuces out there. I consider a good, healthy salad one that has good lettuce (baby spinach**, arugula, purple leaf, etc), some other vegetables, some seeds or nuts, maybe some fruit, and a good dressing like oil and vinegar or even no dressing (which is what I prefer).

Plain old lettuce leaves is better than french fries but I wouldn't consider it a good healthy salad all on its own.

I think it is time for some posters to just agree to disagree so we can keep this thread open. It is (mostly) a very good discussion.

** I realize botanically that spinach isn't a lettuce but for the purpose of a salad it can act as one.

 

[badblackpug]

Very true. I hear all the time about how people eat healthy salads that consist of iceberg lettuce, croutons, and bad dressing. There are so many good lettuces out there. I consider a good, healthy salad one that has good lettuce (baby spinach**, arugula, purple leaf, etc), some other vegetables, some seeds or nuts, maybe some fruit, and a good dressing like oil and vinegar or even no dressing (which is what I prefer).

Plain old lettuce leaves is better than french fries but I wouldn't consider it a good healthy salad all on its own.

I think it is time for some posters to just agree to disagree so we can keep this thread open. It is (mostly) a very good discussion.

** I realize botanically that spinach isn't a lettuce but for the purpose of a salad it can act as one.

You just made me hungry for spinach salad.....

 

[frndshpcptn]

OT - why is it food/texture aversions never involve pizza, tacos, chicken nuggets or anything drenched in cheese or mayo?

I hate mayo. Hate it. It totally grosses me out. I also don't like hard tacos with ground beef (ew). But then again - tomatoes also gross me out.

I don't know.

There are just certain foods that make me gag. Some are healthy foods. Some are not healthy foods. No idea what causes it.

 

[dngnb8]

No one is dodging issues, I have given my opinion. The OP is in denial, she is refusing to accept responsibility for her own health or treatment. She needs to eat vegetables, she needs to grow up and learn to incorporate them in her diet.

The OP ate her way into an early heart attack by consuming a hi fat, hi carb, hi sodium diet. The damage has been done, there is no way to reverse it. Now she can work on lowering her blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, to stave off any future damage The way to do that is by exercising and eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and lean proteins, and by eliminating simple carbs, added sodium and lowering fat content.

The OP is responsible for the state of her health, and she is responsible for the improvement or decline of her state of health from here on out. The choices are hers to make. There is no time to waste. Neither I, nor L.Smith are responsible for her heart disease. If you need someone to blame for that look up the OP's parents who passed on the heart disease genes, and look up the OP who didn't do anything until it was too late.

Of course, you say youre not dodging the issue of how youre posting with the bed side manner of a rattlesnake.

The OP isnt the only one in denial. (Psst, you dodged the issue again)

Im sure you will make another post claiming youre not dodging the issue we are discussing, while dodging the issue.

 

[Jennasis]

Typical bully poster. Never fails, push them far enough and the knee jerk

Dont read my posts

Two things that bully posters cant respond too. Treating them as they treat others and logic.

See ya when I get back from my vacation.

But I LIKE your posts.

Is it a WDW vacation? Either way have a great trip!

 

[badblackpug]

Of course, you say youre not dodging the issue of how youre posting with the bed side manner of a rattlesnake.

The OP isnt the only one in denial. (Psst, you dodged the issue again)

Im sure you will make another post claiming youre not dodging the issue we are discussing, while dodging the issue.

Well, I've got to go pick up my 3 year old from pre school and then I have to go to work, let me know if you have any more pithy insights into my personality or if you have any more double speak rhetoric for me... I'll probably check back sometime next Wednesday. I have a lot planned for the weekend. Have a nice weekend.

 

[FireDancer]

And here we have the virtual white flag post. After numerous posts dodging the issue, knee jerk dont read my posts response.


Ironic, dont you think?

No, she was trying to say move along or agree to disagree instead of keep going back and forth and beating a dead horse. After a while people aren't going to agree so stop trying to make them see your way. All that happens when people start going back and forth is threads get closed because of arguing and that would be unfortunate in a thread that is full of good information and some good discussions.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Very true. I hear all the time about how people eat healthy salads that consist of iceberg lettuce, croutons, and bad dressing. There are so many good lettuces out there. I consider a good, healthy salad one that has good lettuce (baby spinach**, arugula, purple leaf, etc), some other vegetables, some seeds or nuts, maybe some fruit, and a good dressing like oil and vinegar or even no dressing (which is what I prefer).

Plain old lettuce leaves is better than french fries but I wouldn't consider it a good healthy salad all on its own.

I think it is time for some posters to just agree to disagree so we can keep this thread open. It is (mostly) a very good discussion.

** I realize botanically that spinach isn't a lettuce but for the purpose of a salad it can act as one.



No, she was trying to say move along or agree to disagree instead of keep going back and forth and beating a dead horse. After a while people aren't going to agree so stop trying to make them see your way. All that happens when people start going back and forth is threads get closed because of arguing and that would be unfortunate in a thread that is full of good information and some good discussions.

I have to ask is lemon a good replacement for dressing? I usually put some of that on a Greek spinach salad.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think it would be a shame to let all the really great information and discussion in this thread go down in a firestorm of he-said-she-said.

Gina, I know you're upset but I just want to point out that you've probably helped more people - adults and kids - than you'll know by putting this information out there and generating the discussion.

When I post information like on threads like this (as a cardiac health professional) I always post with a larger audience in mind knowing that for everyone reading and posting here, there may be hundreds of others taking notes as well.

Many have said they've already made changes. Maybe you've inspired others who have family histories of heart disease. Maybe some parents have decided to revisit the vegetable issue with their kids. Maybe some adults who never liked vegetables have decided to give them a try. Maybe someone made a doctor's appointment for a check up. Maybe someone decided to start excercising. Maybe some rethought portions sizes. It's all good - even if it didn't help you all that much with what you were looking for. Hopefully you got some good information you can use. (I also do think that the way you feel about this today may not be the way you feel about this next year, or the year after.)

 

[dngnb8]

No, she was trying to say move along or agree to disagree instead of keep going back and forth and beating a dead horse. After a while people aren't going to agree so stop trying to make them see your way. All that happens when people start going back and forth is threads get closed because of arguing and that would be unfortunate in a thread that is full of good information and some good discussions.

Dare I say, we disagree. Not like the threads wont be closed for rude posting. Just sayen.

 

[FireDancer]

I have to ask is lemon a good replacement for dressing? I usually put some of that on a Greek spinach salad.

I use fresh squeezed lime sometimes so I think lemon would be good too. It is really the only liquid I ever put on salad. You just don't want to put it on much before eating it because of the acidity of the juice.

One of the best simple salads I ever had was shredded arugula and raw green beans with fresh squeezed lime juice and pepper. It was at a local restaurant and I wouldn't have ever though to combine those things had they not had it as an option.

I think it would be a shame to let all the really great information and discussion in this thread go down in a firestorm of he-said-she-said.

Yes. Hopefully the mods will just clean up the posts they want to instead of closing the thread if it comes to that.

 

[Minnesota!]

You just made me hungry for spinach salad.....

Ditto.

I had the most amazing salad at a little bar the other day. Mixed greens...wonderful goat cheese, dried cherries, pecans, and mustard vinaigrette. Not the lowest on the fat scale...but tasty and tons better than iceberg and croutons with ranch

 

[punkin]

Lemon is really good on salads. I actually like a little oil in my dressing too (EVOO is my best friend) and if used sparingly, it is actually quite good for you. My favorite "dressing" is oil/vinegar/salt pepper/dill (fresh). It is great on anything with tomatoes and/or cucumbers.

Spinach is definitely a "lettuce" when it comes to salads.

ETA: the traditional proportion of 3 parts oil to one part acid is too much oil IMO. I use a one to one ration and use VERY LITTLE dressing; just barely enough to coat.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

I usually use spinach, tomato, cucumber, onion and some kalamata. I only put a little bit of Feta but not a lot because too much cancels out everything. I put a little bit of olive oil and lemon with an occasional pepperoncini. Sometimes if there is some chicken from the night before I cut some up and throw it in there.

 

[dngnb8]

I usually use spinach, tomato, cucumber, onion and some kalamata. I only put a little bit of Feta but not a lot because too much cancels out everything. I put a little bit of olive oil and lemon with an occasional pepperoncini. Sometimes if there is some chicken from the night before I cut some up and throw it in there.

Dry cheeses are lower in fat and high in flavor. because of the intense flavor, you dont need much of it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A few thoughts on vegetables I wanted to bring up in reading through some of this information. (Since we're on the subject. )

I think that liquefied vegetables and hiding vegetables in food is good, and a small start - if someone otherwise won't eat them. Sure, there are some benefits to be derived, such as essential vitamins and minerals.

But to me, the real benefit to *enjoying* vegetables is more than that. It's about the satiety that comes from eating a big, leafy salad; the benefits to your colon health of fibrous foods traveling its byways regularly; and the good feeling that comes with knowing you've made good choices for your body in the face of all that's bad today. If you're watching your weight, vegetables go a long way toward filling you up without adding a ton of calories as long as you don't load them with fatty dressings and oils. It's about getting all the nutrients from your food that Mother Nature intended.

As a pp mentioned, corn, potatoes and other starches aren't really vegetables even though many consider them to be.

A word about canned vegetables. Well, soggy, for one thing. But also, many of the nutrients, being water soluble, slip into the liquid in the can. If you're not using the liquid in a soup or something, you're pouring the nutrients down the drain. So yes, they have their place and are a better choice than french fries or loaded potatoes, but they shouldn't be a vegetable staple; fresh produce should be.

Frozen vegetables are good as the nutrients are frozen right in. If you steam them they'll retain their goodness. Seeing as they're on sale a lot, it's great to stock up on them in order to have a freezer full for quick, healthy meal options.

Someone mentioned V8 and another liquid vegetable juice. People with cardiac disease have to be careful of the sodium content. I don't know about the Trader Joe's version (next time I'm in there I'll have to check), but V8 has over 600mg of sodium per 11 oz (or close) which is a quarter of a daily intake of sodium in one drink. Not good for those with hypertension or congestive heart failure, etc. (Feta cheese is usually high in sodium as well.)

Speaking of label reading, it's always a good idea to read labels if it's something you're not used to doing. Keeping in mind that most people eat more than one serving of something. So if something has 500 mg of sodium per serving and you have two servings, that's 1000mg - or half your day's intake on one meal. Also important for other nutrient information on the label such as carbohydrate and sugars, etc.

When I was pregnant, my OB/GYN practiced in an area with a high Asian population. Many Asian women had gestational diabetes because of their diets, even though they were quite thin and ate a lot of vegetables. It was the rice and the noodles. A serving size of rice is 1/3 of a cup. Who the heck eats one third of a cup of rice?? That amazed me and just goes to show that you don't have to be obese and "unhealthy" to have diabetes (though it definitely helps).

If anyone missed it, this fellow Dis-er did great with his diabetes diagnosis (although IIR his diet is missing vegetables as well, lol): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2772514&referrerid=70088

 

[Jennasis]

While we're talking 'bout gussying up food that may not taste the best, I would love to hear some suggestions for quinoa. I made it once (actually after Firedancer sang its praises) and neither DH and I were keen to do it again...but I am convinced it was my prep of it that sucked and not the grain. I essentially boiled it like rice in chicken stock. Had the characteristic nutty flavor and the barest (saddest) hint of "chicken" flavor, and after a few mouthfuls I was bored with it. I could see trading it in for recipes that call for rice, but like I said it just seemed to have a flavor that after a few bites I was "done" with it. Wasn't bad...just not "worth" finishing.

I bet someone here has a way to make it really good. The only spice I refuse to use is curry. BARF.

 

[Disneylvr]

OP, I second what another poster suggested. Look at skinnytaste.com for some good recipe ideas. I have found many there that have helped me tremendously helped me in my weight loss/healthier living journey.