Seriously need healthy recipe help for a picky eater

[Imzadi]

(corn and potatoes are NOT vegetables, they are starch...if you can make booze out of it, it is a carb)

Yes, and I explained in a previous post that diabetics, pre-diabetics, hypoglycemics are pre-disposed to CRAVE carbs/sugars/starches.

When I walk by sugar/carbs and I am seriously considering eating it, I know my blood sugar levels are off. When I'm eating properly, full, and my blood sugar is fine, I do not crave carbs.

If anything, that craving is a warning sign to me to get REAL food into my system ASAP.

I can't, honestly believe that any adult absolutely hates all vegetable prepared in any manner. This is either a psychological issue, or some sort of childhood notion or battle that the OP won't let go of.

There is a concept called "Demand Resistance." It is a resistance or rebellion to perceived demands, requests or when someone requires something from them, even if the "demand" is a positive one. They may even resist demand they make on themselves. Example, "I need to start dieting today."

They feel they are thwarting that demand by denying it, (saying a big F-you,) even if it is a reasonable, rational demand. Sometimes they will even cut off their own nose, spiting themselves, instead of giving in to the perceived demands, AND be very proud of themselves while doing it. As in, having a piece of cake instead of dieting.

Ultimately it's a power struggle. It is a subconscious reaction, a rebellion to a controlling parent or authority figure. One has to learn to be conscious of this mental thought process and question whether the rebellion is really helping or hurting them?

The suggestions given are ALL good ones, if the OP can conquer her food phobias first. I have plenty (as mentioned upthread) so I know what a tremendous battle she has ahead of her. Haranguing her does nobody any good. She KNOWS she should eat vegetables (just like I know I should be eating fruit)...if she can get herself to that point then that's great, but if not hopefully the cook books and other suggestions will be helpful to her.

Good luck OP! I feel your pain.

You do not need to eat fruits. You can get all the nutrients you need (without all the sugar in fruits,) by eating an assortment of veggies. Of course, this is if one IS eating vegetables.

 

[Jennasis]

You do not need to eat fruits. You can get all the nutrients you need (without all the sugar in fruits,) by eating an assortment of veggies. Of course, this is if one IS eating vegetables.

Can you call my mom and tell her that?

 

[badblackpug]

Yes, but it is HER choice, and it has to be in order to work. The man in your article made his own choice, and even said that he approached the changes as baby steps. Apparently no one bothered to tell him that he shouldn't waste time walking the dog because that wasn't going to qualify him to run a marathon by the end of the year. The OP is making some progress, and her physician seems to think that her progress is positive. If she makes the substitutions that some of us have suggested as baby steps, then she will make more progress, and perhaps that small success will be the motivation that she needs to work on other issues. She will come to it on her own accord in her own time, or she won't, but progress, even small progress, toward the goal of being healthiER is still a step forward, and it isn't kind to entirely devalue it.

NO ONE can fully control what another person eats or does not eat, short of using manacles and a feeding tube. You can lock her in a cell and offer only something that she hates, but if she chooses to prefer to starve to death rather than eat it, then she has retained and exercised the right of choice. That is a huge factor in adult human dignity, and being treated like a child in this regard and TOLD that you must eat A or B is (pardon the pun) very hard for the average adult to swallow.

It is clear to me that the OP needs to gradually adapt to her lifestyle changes; she is clearly NOT receptive to being forced to eat only certain things or completely dropping every single food that she loves. If that kills her or doesn't make her as healthy as you think that she needs to be as quickly as you think that she needs to be so, then so be it. She's a grownup, she is under a physician's care, she is aware of what would be optimal, but the level of effort she is willing to make is her choice, and I'm sure that she is willing to make her choices based on the consequences that she is willing to live (or die) with.

Fine, and yes, if the OP has no intention of doing what is healthy for her why even ask for advice. She comes on here saying she has 3 life threatening diseases, but when suggestions are made about how to make lifestyle changes to help these diseases she digs in her heels in and refuses to accept the fact that what WANTS to be healthy actually isn't healthy at all. An all starch and fat diet is unhealthy for anyone, it is a death sentence for a diabetic with heart disease. That being said, you are correct, it is her choice whether, or not, she chooses to treat her disease or die from it. Her choices will only impact herself and her son.

Yes, and I explained in a previous post that diabetics, pre-diabetics, hypoglycemics are pre-disposed to CRAVE carbs/sugars/starches.

When I walk by sugar/carbs and I am seriously considering eating it, I know my blood sugar levels are off. When I'm eating properly, full, and my blood sugar is fine, I do not crave carbs.

If anything, that craving is a warning sign to me to get REAL food into my system ASAP.

Yes, a lot of us crave a lot of things that are not good for us, the difference is we realize that we cannot make an entire diet out of those things.





There is a concept called "Demand Resistance." It is a resistance or rebellion to perceived demands, requests or when someone requires something from them, even if the "demand" is a positive one. They may even resist demand they make on themselves. Example, "I need to start dieting today."

They feel they are thwarting that demand by denying it, (saying a big F-you,) even if it is a reasonable, rational demand. Sometimes they will even cut off their own nose, spiting themselves, instead of giving in to the perceived demands, AND be very proud of themselves while doing it. As in, having a piece of cake instead of dieting.

Ultimately it's a power struggle. It is a subconscious reaction, a rebellion to a controlling parent or authority figure. One has to learn to be conscious of this mental thought process and question whether the rebellion is really helping or hurting them?

Agreed, it's some sort of "vegetables are yucky" childishness left over from elementary school. My point is it is time to grow up and realize that clinging to this behavior has had a very negative effect on your health.




You do not need to eat fruits. You can get all the nutrients you need (without all the sugar in fruits,) by eating an assortment of veggies. Of course, this is if one IS eating vegetables.

 

[Imzadi]

Can you call my mom and tell her that?

She probably still calls you "her baby," (as per another thread here, ) so what I have to say isn't going to help.

 

[FireDancer]

There is a concept called "Demand Resistance." It is a resistance or rebellion to perceived demands, requests or when someone requires something from them, even if the "demand" is a positive one. They may even resist demand they make on themselves. Example, "I need to start dieting today."

They feel they are thwarting that demand by denying it, (saying a big F-you,) even if it is a reasonable, rational demand. Sometimes they will even cut off their own nose, spiting themselves, instead of giving in to the perceived demands, AND be very proud of themselves while doing it. As in, having a piece of cake instead of dieting.

Ultimately it's a power struggle. It is a subconscious reaction, a rebellion to a controlling parent or authority figure. One has to learn to be conscious of this mental thought process and question whether the rebellion is really helping or hurting them?

I think if this is the case for anyone they need to go see a psychologist. This is one of things things I talk about in other threads on healthy eating and that is using food in a matter that it shouldn't be used in. Food isn't about power or comfort or resistance or anything else, it is fuel for life. I don't think one should use a bad day or stress or sadness as a reason to eat poorly. Those are unhealthy ways to react to outside stimuli.

Now, someone who does normally eat healthy, is a healthy wight, and is active can from time to time treat themselves. If someone wants to reward themselves for finishing a marathon with a few pieces of a pizza and glass of beer that is different than someone who goes home and eats a whole pizza, bag of nachos, and drinks a 2-liter of Coke every time life throws them a curve ball.

It is kind of OT for this thread but really I think far too many people use food as something it isn't supposed to be far too often.

 

[Jennasis]

She probably still calls you "her baby," (as per another thread here, ) so what I have to say isn't going to help.

Usually it's "Mommy's girl". She used to tell me I was going to end up with Rickets because I wouldn't eat fruit.

 

[TagsMissy]

Unfortunately, I know it's not what you want to hear, but the "things you like" are NOT healthy at all. You want suggestions on how to make them less not healthy, but they are still going to be unhealthy. You are diabetic, hypertensive, and have heart disease. You need to be on a low fat, low sodium, low carb diet. You need to eat a diet that is rich in lean proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber. You are not going to get the nutrients you need by not eating any vegetables at all. You seem to be making excuses not to change your lifestyle. I know it sounds harsh, but it is true. Your salad is not salad, it is fat. Maybe less fat than before, but still fat. Lettuce, in and of itself, has little nutritional value, you are basically using it as texture for your cheese and dressing. Spaghetti, no matter what type of pasta and jarred sauce you are using is still way to high in carbs and sodium, to be a "staple food" for a diabetic with hypertension. While I know that genetics are a big part of diabetes and heart disease, the previous posters are right in their statements that you are in denial. While genetics may have predisposed you to these conditions, a high fat, high carb, high sodium, low fiber diet, devoid of most nutrients probably pushed the envelope quite a bit.

I know that you will reply with this isn't what you wanted to hear, and that I am not helpful, and that the is no way you will try anything different, so I will suggest to you that you get an appointment with a diabetes educator and a registered dietician. (unfortunately, they will probably not tell you what you want to hear either) I will also suggest that you check the website of your local hospital to see if they offer nutrition and healthy cooking classes. Good luck.

I really could not have said it any better or kinder OP while you keep on beating the same drum the truth is you have to change your diet completely and that means eating things that are right for you. You are an adult, time to make the changes you need to make because you have a kid who is relying on you to be there for him, not buried in the ground because you chose to not make the right food choices.

yes it is a choice and it's time to make the right ones, if not for you then your kid. he deserves it.

as my husband tells me when I start to whinge about something "Suck it up Buttercup" to which I grumble and do it because truth be told he is right.

 

[cornflake]

The suggestions given are ALL good ones, if the OP can conquer her food phobias first. I have plenty (as mentioned upthread) so I know what a tremendous battle she has ahead of her. Haranguing her does nobody any good. She KNOWS she should eat vegetables (just like I know I should be eating fruit)...if she can get herself to that point then that's great, but if not hopefully the cook books and other suggestions will be helpful to her.

Good luck OP! I feel your pain.

I don't know that the OP does know that, or accepts that. She said she had been eating pretty healthfully, or not too badly or whatever, and then listed a really abysmally unhealthy diet.

She's also not said at any point that I saw that she does know she should be eating vegetables, or that she'd like to, just that the thought is offputting and even trying them won't happen, at all, no way, so don't even discuss it.

And no, you don't need to eat fruit. Some fruits, like dark-coloured berries, do pack a lot of phytonutrients and are certainly good for you, and those are often also fairly low in sugar, high in fibre and etc., as well. However, a diet rich in veg will cover you well. The lower-nutrient fruits, like bananas, apples, oranges, etc., are not near as nutrient-dense and much higher in sugar than blueberries or a pomegranate.

Whomever told the OP that her dr. saying her eating fruit was fine was off was correct - it's better than eating like, candy, sure, but it's not great and should be limited, especially if it's not combined with protein and fat (someone mentioned a pear with nut butter) and especially if it's very sugar-heavy, like bananas.

Asking for suggestions on how to eat the like, four things I'll eat, that aren't particularly good for me, in some other way, because I refuse to try anything else, is going to get people saying something else yeah.

This isn't a dietary restriction, or a moral one and it doesn't even seem like the OP is willing to entertain the idea there may be a problem.

Whomever was going to try the amaranth - wheat berries, also good, as is kasha. I love kasha - it's buckwheat. Can do a lot of the same stuff you do with quinoa with it, like serve it up as a breakfasty grain porridge, or as a bed for roast veg, or a side. It's a bit fluffier/softer, larger than quinoa, and nuttier. Love kasha.

Cooks basically the same, needs a bunch of rinsing - and like rice, reeeeally good if you sauteee the uncooked grain on high heat (with a little oil and onion) before adding water to boil.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Force yourself to eat healthy foods. You will discover that within a short time period you will actually like those foods. Before I considered myself a fairly picky eater - limited veggies and fruits. Now, I LOVE all the foods I try, and really enjoy making new recipes with tons of ingredients in them.

I agree with this.

I would like to share something I've read and something that happened to me. In our pediatrician's office, there is a big sign that says it takes an average person something like 20 exposures to a new food to develope a taste for it. There's a picture of a child making a face and saying "I hate green beans". Followed by 20 more pictures of the same face, slowly getting older, and slowly disliking her green beans less and less, until the last picture, where she's got a big smile and says "I really love my green beans". It sounds silly, but it is true. I have always made my kids eat one bite of the foods they "hate". Slowly, over time, they hate them less and less, and sometimes they even begin to like them.

It happened to me as an adult. I have hated olives all my life. Absolutely disgusted by the taste. If I ordered a dish in a restaurant and it came out with olives on it (chopped too small to pick them all off), I'd have to send the whole plate back. Then I had a dd who liked olives. I did not want to pass my food issues on to my kids, so when my 2yo wanted me to eat an olive, I choked it down and immediately ate something else after to wash the taste away. As time went on (unfortunately, I have a generous dd who wanted to share lots of olives with me!) it was easier and easier to choke them down. It got to the point that I don't even dislike them so much anymore. I won't ask for them, but if they are in a salad, I'll eat them and hardly notice they are there.

That's my suggestion. Find a few veggies that gross you out less than others. Think outside the box of typical carrots, broccoli and zucchini. Cauliflower, turnips, beets, jicama, bell peppers, alfalfa sprouts for a salad. Take a walk through the produce section and buy a little of everything you haven't tried before. Try them. Even if you don't like them that much, take just a couple of bites of one or another kind each night until you acquire a taste for them.

Or how about vegetable soup? My husband hates carrots, cabbage and onions, but if they are cooked to mush inside my homemade vegetable soup, he loves them!

 

[denisem]

Roasted brussel sprouts are fantastic! I cut them into quarters, and try to separate off as much of the leaves as possible & spread them on a cookie tray. Drizzle olive oil, salt & pepper & garlic over them. (Sometimes some chili powder.) I roast them till they are brown, very crispy and a bit burnt. The more brown & crispy the better! They kind of taste like chips that way.[/I]

This ^. I've lived under a rock, didn't realize you could roast brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus using the above method. Fabulous! Totally different taste/texture if one's experience is only overcooked, unseasoned mush (Thanks, mom!)

Or how about vegetable soup? My husband hates carrots, cabbage and onions, but if they are cooked to mush inside my homemade vegetable soup, he loves them!

The opposite side of the spectrum - yup, I can even do lima beans if they're disguised within a good ole yummy homemade vegetable soup.

I believe the OP has been given many good suggestions to overcome her aversion to veggies and she now has to become a detective to determine her comfort levels, whether it be blending into a juice, roasting to a crisp or disguising them within casseroles with other ingredients. You may have to willing to experiment & maybe have some failures.

OP likes tacos & sloppy joes? Tonight we had unstuffed cabbage casserole. Beef, rice, tomatoes, cabbage, seasoning. I HATE cooked cabbage, but find it entirely acceptable in this form.

I've also found a trick in including a little bit more of the healthy veggies each time I make a recipe such as this.

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

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

If you are making tacos or other foods with ground meat, try adding a cup of grated carrots in the last minute or so of cooking, before adding the liquid and seasonings. Once the liquid is boiled off, you won't notice the carrot at all - it takes on taste of the seasonings and doesn't affect the texture of the meat. I've also added grated zucchini in much the same way to (meat-based) spaghetti sauce.

 

[Magic Mom]

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

That is a great question. If you really think about the type of meat that goes into processed chicken nuggets, I can't imagine that is less nauseating than a fresh green bean. "I'll eat processed, ground up, lard laden, perservative filled, deep fried chicken extras, but a fresh vegetable is just gross....."

 

[tlbwriter]

You know, I hate cleaning my bathrooms. Yuck! They're gross! I also hate cleaning the fridge. Eeww! And I hate mopping the kitchen floor.

But I like having my house in order. So I suck it up and I do it.

Do any of those activities make you gag or feel like you're going to vomit? If so, they're not really a good analogy to the OP's problem with vegetables.

This ^. I've lived under a rock, didn't realize you could roast brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus using the above method. Fabulous! Totally different taste/texture if one's experience is only overcooked, unseasoned mush (Thanks, mom!)

I remember my husband's face when he said "You actually found a way to make brussels sprouts taste GOOD!" His mother had regularly forced him and his siblings to eat at least three slimy boiled frozen sprouts. I threw some fresh sprouts in with my roasted root vegetables, and it's like a completely different vegetable.

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

LOL! For what it's worth, my daughter can't stand carbonated drinks, dislikes cheese on most foods (didn't eat a cheeseburger until she was 10), hates most sauces or dips, and avoids mayonnaise like the plague. So some aversions can work in your favor.

 

[Minnesota!]

Whomever was going to try the amaranth - wheat berries, also good, as is kasha. I love kasha - it's buckwheat. Can do a lot of the same stuff you do with quinoa with it, like serve it up as a breakfasty grain porridge, or as a bed for roast veg, or a side. It's a bit fluffier/softer, larger than quinoa, and nuttier. Love kasha.

Cooks basically the same, needs a bunch of rinsing - and like rice, reeeeally good if you sauteee the uncooked grain on high heat (with a little oil and onion) before adding water to boil.

I love love love wheat berries. But I can never ever find them. Where are they usually in the store? I look in the organic/natural aisles. Might have to run to TJ's to look. There is a salad at work that is grated carrots, cranberries, wheat berries, and asian style (light) dressing. It's so so so good.

This ^. I've lived under a rock, didn't realize you could roast brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus using the above method. Fabulous! Totally different taste/texture if one's experience is only overcooked, unseasoned mush (Thanks, mom!)



The opposite side of the spectrum - yup, I can even do lima beans if they're disguised within a good ole yummy homemade vegetable soup.

I believe the OP has been given many good suggestions to overcome her aversion to veggies and she now has to become a detective to determine her comfort levels, whether it be blending into a juice, roasting to a crisp or disguising them within casseroles with other ingredients. You may have to willing to experiment & maybe have some failures.

OP likes tacos & sloppy joes? Tonight we had unstuffed cabbage casserole. Beef, rice, tomatoes, cabbage, seasoning. I HATE cooked cabbage, but find it entirely acceptable in this form.
I've also found a trick in including a little bit more of the healthy veggies each time I make a recipe such as this.

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

Can I get a recipe for the bolded? My males would love that!

That is a great question. If you really think about the type of meat that goes into processed chicken nuggets, I can't imagine that is less nauseating than a fresh green bean. "I'll eat processed, ground up, lard laden, perservative filled, deep fried chicken extras, but a fresh vegetable is just gross....."

And I find it funny, too, that people/kids with "aversions" never are adverse to McD's, tacos, pizza, nuggets, pop, etc.

 

[FireDancer]

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

I've noticed that too which is weird since were are genetically designed to eat natural foods like vegetables as opposed to man-made food like chicken nuggets.

I think the same thing about people who claim to be addicted to food but always choose terrible foods to feed the addiction. If you are addicted to eating just feed you addiction with celery and don't give me crap about "comfort food" because food isn't supposed to provide comfort.

 

[Gina]

My last word on this... To those precious few of you who actually gave the suggestions I sought with recipes and cookbooks, thank you, I really appreciate it very much.

To the rest of you, go read my original post again. Maybe a third time. I asked specific questions and requested specific suggestions as to recipes and such. I did not ask for nutritional advice, parenting commentary, psychological help, or crackpot theories as to why I don't like vegetables.

I know this is a tall order on the DIS... But for the love of all that is holy, so many of you need to learn to just SHUT UP if you don't have the answers to questions that are asked. Yes, it's a message board where thought flows freely, and yes, I have been here long enough to have thick enough skin to deal with the nonsense, but the CB has the reputation it does because of replies like the ones in this thread. Most of us hang out in other sub-forums and try to stay faaaaarr away from the CB for this very reason, and every time I venture over here I'm reminded why it's just not a good place to be.

It happens over and over again -- someone will ask something like what is a good price for a specific toy or something, and 100 people have to chime in on everything from how the toy manufacturer is stealing American jobs, to how that toy will rot your child's brain.

I've managed to make it 45 years without all of your "helpful" advice... I plan to make it many more. I'm very happy to have received the websites and the cookbook ideas -- they alone were worth all the grief -- But seriously, learn some restraint and gain some respect maybe.

If anyone needs me, I'll be back on the Budget board and the DCL board.

 

[cornflake]

I love love love wheat berries. But I can never ever find them. Where are they usually in the store? I look in the organic/natural aisles. Might have to run to TJ's to look. There is a salad at work that is grated carrots, cranberries, wheat berries, and asian style (light) dressing. It's so so so good.

In my market, they're sold sortof bulk - the store packages their own bulk stuff, if you know what I mean, so there are tubs of wheat berries, red, regular, quinoa, kasha, couscous, israeli couscous, flaxseed, barley, kamut, all manner of lentils, yada yada - it's by the nuts, dried fruits, etc., for what it's worth.

I think you'd have better luck at a Whole Foods if you've got one, I think they have Wheat Berries in their bulk bins and in the little tubs where they sell bulk stuff prepacked like my market.

 

[LilyWDW]

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

I don't get it either.

I have a couple of texture food aversions, but they are things like chicken livers, canned asparagus, or overly mushy green beans. I just can't eat those foods because of how they feel in the mouth. Now, I do know someone who has a texture food aversion to stuff like taco meat and anything that has small pieces of ground meat in it. She just makes her tacos with grilled chicken, steak, or fish instead... which I have to admit tastes much better.

BTW, this post has had a good point to it personally. I am going to try some of the stuff mentioned that I haven't before because I was too "scared" to do so. I have also decided to take some of the ideas and slowly start to change my diet because right now I have been back to eating crud. I really need to start eating healthier.

To the OP (if they are still reading), when you see your nutritionist, talk to them about the food aversion. They may be able to direct you to someone who could help. It might be medical (such as the raw food allergy someone posted above or something else) or it could be psychological. Either way, it might be in your best interest to figure out WHAT is causing it and if there is a way to break through it.

 

[cornflake]

It's an interesting question. I found a picky eaters board after seeing a tv thing on extreme picky eating and becoming interested.

The one thing they seemed to have in common was a devotion to french fries. Mostly the really gross, crap french fries - like the blandest, frozen, generic, fast food fries, that they preferred fried in oil, even at home.

From reading lots of posts on that board, it does generally seem totally phobic.

As noted, if this were some kind of evolutionary thing, a genetic or biological deal, it would not really make sense that the tolerated, preferred foods would be the processed crap - the french fries, chicken nuggets, pizza. Those are also the traditional, specifically western, "child" foods, found on "child menus." It's also a very western idea that there are or should be specific childhood foods like that - and that children won't consume spiced foods and vegetables. That's hardly the case in most of the (food secure) world.

Which also makes it seem to fit into mental disorder rather than anything organic. It's interesting, I'm sure it's an area of study.

 

[MELSMICE]

And I find it funny, too, that people/kids with "aversions" never are adverse to McD's, tacos, pizza, nuggets, pop, etc.

Well, as I posted earlier, I can completely, 100% relate to Gina's dilema. I really don't enjoy McD's any more, don't like nuggets because I can't stand the thought of what's in them & have never liked tacos.........that one spice in there just grosses me out.....I think it's Cumin. Can't stand the smell.

I do drink soda occasionally but have cut down to about 1 or 2 glasses a week compared to 1 or 2 a day (diet soda). I do like pizza.

Believe me...........I wish I could eat like everyone else. I wish I could stomach raw veggies. I wish I didn't go to a party & wonder if there is something that's going to make me gag in a dish. I wish I liked salad. For 48 years I've been trying to like these things. Hasn't happened yet.........oh hang on, I do eat mushrooms now.

I have learned to live with my "issues". It hurts no one but myself for being such a "weirdo". I'm sure I could eat healthier if I enjoyed more things, but I try my hardest to eat as healthy as I can with the foods that I do eat.

Now, I'm off to make spaghetti sauce. I'm going to bake the meatballs & sausage instead of frying them........although I don't eat either of them because the little "balls" in the sausage gross me out & I'm not a fan of meatballs. I will also puree the onions that I saute before adding them to the sauce because a large chunk of an onion in my sauce will surely put me over the edge!