Seriously need healthy recipe help for a picky eater

[bookgirl]

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

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.

 

[dngnb8]

Personally, if you dont like what I like I think something is wrong with you. After all, I am always right.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

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.

I am not an expert on the subject, but I do know foods aid in the release of endorphins. There is a reason why certain people become carb addicts, etc. Sorry, but celery just doesn't release the endorphins to provide that comfort. Celery is not going to provide the sugar that the body is craving.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

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.

While this doesn't explain the preference for processed foods, I have read that our preference for fatty and sweet foods comes from long ago, when both were scarce. Our bodies do need a small amount of fat and sugar, so we are designed to want to eat it when it's (supposedly rarely) available. The problem is that evolution has not kept up with the increase in availability of these foods, so we still crave them, even though we have access to more than we need.

Hmm, I guess that does sort of explain the processed food preference, after all. Processed foods are full of fat, salt and sugar.

 

[FireDancer]

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.

I'm not a psychologist but I think it is something mental leaned in childhood and has a lot to do with how a lot of kids eat. I know some people who don't serve their kids anything beyond the "standard" stuff like hotdogs and chicken nuggets but have other friends who serve a wide variety of food to their kids. My one friend's 2 year old loves sushi and Indian food for example. I also think people are served over cooked soggy vegetables as kids and learn to dislike them but if they were to try the same vegetables cooked properly or raw they would see that they like them.

The one evolutionary thing that does work against us is that we are still programmed the way were were while we were chasing animals for days to eat. We are programmed to crave fat and sugar because those were needed for that lifestyle and, in sugar's case, it wasn't easily available so when we could get it we needed it. Now we are still programmed to crave it but it is easily available so we over-eat it. That isn't an excuse really though since people do have the ability to resist cravings but many just don't. All of that is a simplification of course since the topic is discussed in entire text books and research papers.

I read a lot about this kind of thing because I find it interesting and health (nutrition, fitness, exercise, etc) is my biggest hobby.

 

[badblackpug]

... and we have the virtual stomp off... to the budget board, no less, where you can learn to cook your high fat, high carb meals in a coffee pot in your room!

Anyway, I have a theory on these "super, duper picky eaters." Mind you, it is just my theory based on the people I know who eat this way. I think they got stuck in the childhood power struggle "I'm not going to eat those vegetables (or whatever) because the grown-ups want me to." I think after years of clinging to that stance people have either become so ingrained in this thinking that they either continue to do it out of stubbornness, or to be "special" and get attention, or they actually build it in their mind into a phobia.

The thing with phobias is, mild ones that really don't effect your daily living aren't that big a deal. I am afraid of spiders. Doesn't really effect my life one way or another, but if I was afraid of vegetables and had eaten myself to a clogged artery, I would, surely find a way to deal with this fear.

I have an aunt that is a "super, duper, picky eater." She won't eat any vegetables, will only eat salad with iceberg lettuce, croutons, cheese, and dressing. She eats foods high in carbs and fats. She is morbidly obese, hypertensive, and diabetic. She has clung to her childhood power struggle of not eating vegetables, and now she relishes the attention she gets for being a "super, duper, picky eater." She has to order off the kids menu, she has to sit and pick apart her plate, she has to ask the waiter to multiple omissions and substitutions. I think it all goes back to that attention you got as a kid for being the "different" one.

Listen, I hate bananas and lima beans. I would not voluntarily eat one, but if I had to, for some reason, being an adult, I would not gag, or choke, or pass out, or have a seizure or some other ridiculous tantrum.

 

[dngnb8]

... and we have the virtual stomp off... to the budget board, no less, where you can learn to cook your high fat, high carb meals in a coffee pot in your room!

And we have the verbal condescension beatdwon post because somebody doesnt see things the posters way, and they need to flex their self esteem on the message board.

Im sorry she doesnt eat foods you like. Notice how she still got numerous suggestions on how to increase the health value of the food she does like?

That is the kind of assistance she wanted. hammering her with Attila the Hun bedside manner only chased her away. See when people, who are basically non-confrontational, are treated with condescension, there is a good chance they leave.

Let us hope you learned from this. Oh wait, you believe youre right, so there is no need to change how you treat others.

disregard......

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm not a psychologist but I think it is something mental leaned in childhood and has a lot to do with how a lot of kids eat. I know some people who don't serve their kids anything beyond the "standard" stuff like hotdogs and chicken nuggets but have other friends who serve a wide variety of food to their kids. My one friend's 2 year old loves sushi and Indian food for example. I also think people are served over cooked soggy vegetables as kids and learn to dislike them but if they were to try the same vegetables cooked properly or raw they would see that they like them.

My mom served all kinds of veggies, many different ways. My dad grew many of our veggies. One of my sisters loved them, one ate most, my brother was picky & I was the pickiest. That "formula" still stands to this day with all of us.

Anyway, I have a theory on these "super, duper picky eaters." Mind you, it is just my theory based on the people I know who eat this way. I think they got stuck in the childhood power struggle "I'm not going to eat those vegetables (or whatever) because the grown-ups want me to." I think after years of clinging to that stance people have either become so ingrained in this thinking that they either continue to do it out of stubbornness, or to be "special" and get attention, or they actually build it in their mind into a phobia.

Like I said, I wish I could tolerate the foods I don't like. Maybe it's a phobia, but I've tried over & over again to like them. It hasn't happened yet.

 

[badblackpug]

And we have the verbal condescension beatdwon post because somebody doesnt see things the posters way, and they need to flex their self esteem on the message board.

Im sorry she doesnt eat foods you like. Notice how she still got numerous suggestions on how to increase the health value of the food she does like?

That is the kind of assistance she wanted. hammering her with Attila the Hun bedside manner only chased her away. See when people, who are basically non-confrontational, are treated with condescension, there is a good chance they leave.

Let us hope you learned from this. Oh wait, you believe youre right, so there is no need to change how you treat others.

disregard......

That would have been better written in a fake Germanic accent. Condescend away ........

 

[MELSMICE]

And we have the verbal condescension beatdwon post because somebody doesnt see things the posters way, and they need to flex their self esteem on the message board.

Im sorry she doesnt eat foods you like. Notice how she still got numerous suggestions on how to increase the health value of the food she does like?

That is the kind of assistance she wanted. hammering her with Attila the Hun bedside manner only chased her away. See when people, who are basically non-confrontational, are treated with condescension, there is a good chance they leave.

Let us hope you learned from this. Oh wait, you believe youre right, so there is no need to change how you treat others.

disregard......

I thought the same thing. It's too bad.

 

[dngnb8]

OMG! Can you just write in normal English? I can't get through the 1st line of this. It's not cute.

That would have been better written in a fake Germanic accent. Condescend away ........

Firzt you complain dat I type in a fake agzent, then you complain that I dont.

Personally, I believe you just want to complain about others to make yourself feel a better. Obviously der is no vay to pleaze you.

*there, I did both, happy now?*


QQ away

 

[Jennasis]

And we have the verbal condescension beatdwon post because somebody doesnt see things the posters way, and they need to flex their self esteem on the message board.

Im sorry she doesnt eat foods you like. Notice how she still got numerous suggestions on how to increase the health value of the food she does like?

That is the kind of assistance she wanted. hammering her with Attila the Hun bedside manner only chased her away. See when people, who are basically non-confrontational, are treated with condescension, there is a good chance they leave.

Let us hope you learned from this. Oh wait, you believe youre right, so there is no need to change how you treat others.

disregard......

High five!

There is a way to deliver advice without being condescending, rude, or browbeating. Many posters managed to do just that and there are always a few (BBP) who just have to try to strong arm.

 

[LilyWDW]

I'll be the one to say it. If the OP didn't want people commenting on specific things, then they should not have included them in her post. It really is that simple when it comes to the internet. Anything you post is open, any information you give, is free for comment. Getting upset because people comment on it isn't worth it because they could have avoided it easily.

I will say there are ways to post even on those topics without being rude... but I will not point fingers here.

Even if the OP didn't want to hear about it, I have seen multiple posters in this thread who have taken advice from what has been posted. Including myself.

 

[FireDancer]

While badblackpug could have been a bit more, I don't know, diplomatic in her approach everything she said makes perfect sense.

I know from experience that it is often the things people don't want to hear that they need to hear the most and after a while you have to be blunt instead of leaving on the kid gloves.

 

[dngnb8]

While badblackpug could have been a bit more, I don't know, diplomatic in her approach everything she said makes perfect sense.

I know from experience that it is often the things people don't want to hear that they need to hear the most and after a while you have to be blunt instead of leaving on the kid gloves.

There is an old saying, you attract more bee's with honey then vinegar.

If puggy truly wanted to help, then puggy would have taken a more diplomatic approach. One could see that the OP wasn't going to just roll over and say

Oh wow, OK!

You cant keep punching someone in the face until they agree with you. In this case, the more resistance OP gave, the harder puggy punched. Puggy wasnt trying to help the OP, puggy was stroking the electronic self esteem

 

[Jennasis]

While badblackpug could have been a bit more, I don't know, diplomatic in her approach everything she said makes perfect sense.

I know from experience that it is often the things people don't want to hear that they need to hear the most and after a while you have to be blunt instead of leaving on the kid gloves.

After a while? it's been a day and a half of this on the CB. It's not like the OP isn't trying to make changes...she is. It will have to happen very slowly it seems. There is no need for any of us to be blunt, other than because one feels the need to be a know-it-all or superior (even if the information presented is 100% correct).

I know a WONDERFUL doctor who is a whiz in his field...but his bedside manner sucks out loud so he loses a ton of patients who can't stand his condescending "know-it-all" attitude. He'd be able to help so many more people if he'd get over himself and learn how to treat people with a little compassion.

 

[badblackpug]

I'll be the one to say it. If the OP didn't want people commenting on specific things, then they should not have included them in her post. It really is that simple when it comes to the internet. Anything you post is open, any information you give, is free for comment. Getting upset because people comment on it isn't worth it because they could have avoided it easily.

I will say there are ways to post even on those topics without being rude... but I will not point fingers here.

Even if the OP didn't want to hear about it, I have seen multiple posters in this thread who have taken advice from what has been posted. Including myself.

Exactly. The OP put the info out there. I am not going to dumb it down and say "Oh yes, continue eating a high fat, high carb diet, your diabetes and heart disease will bend to your will." I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way. I would also have a lot more sympathy if the OP really wanted to change or was really trying. (and I think cornflake had mentioned that in an earlier post) If the Op was on here saying "I really want to change." "I'm going to try" etc, it would make sense, but to me, and to others she is in a huge state of denial. She needs to accept responsibility and try to improve her lifestyle, or if she doesn't really want to do that, than just accept what is, is and hope one of those 3 diseases doesn't kill her before her son is grown. ...but don't put the info on a public message board and when people try to offer advice get angry and say "NO! NO! NO! I won't!" Others making excuses for her and her making excuses for herself is not helping.

Truthfully, to have all these medical problems, not to mention serious heart damage requiring an invasive procedure before the age of 50 should be a HUGE wake up call.

 

[LSmith]

While badblackpug could have been a bit more, I don't know, diplomatic in her approach everything she said makes perfect sense.

I know from experience that it is often the things people don't want to hear that they need to hear the most and after a while you have to be blunt instead of leaving on the kid gloves.

Yes, badblackpug was making perfect sense. The problem on this board is that you can say pretty much anything about anyone but if you dare give advice on healthy eating - even asked by someone (the OP) whose life is clearly at stake - you will be shredded by the masses here. Nobody wants to hear it. They want to be coddled and they will be here. Tough love need not apply.

Mods are always quick to shut down these forums in favor of the masses.

 

[dngnb8]

Oh yes, continue eating a high fat, high carb diet, your diabetes and heart disease will bend to your will."

Nobody, including the poster was saying this. So why is it a part of your rebuttal?

Dumb it down indeed.

 

[FireDancer]

After a while? it's been a day and a half of this on the CB. It's not like the OP isn't trying to make changes...she is. It will have to happen very slowly it seems. There is no need for any of us to be blunt, other than because one feels the need to be a know-it-all or superior (even if the information presented is 100% correct).

I know a WONDERFUL doctor who is a whiz in his field...but his bedside manner sucks out loud so he loses a ton of patients who can't stand his condescending "know-it-all" attitude. He'd be able to help so many more people if he'd get over himself and learn how to treat people with a little compassion.

I meant after a while because it appears from the OP that she has been told over and over long before she posted here what she needs to do (eat more vegetables) but is resisting. I got the impression that she is basically forum shopping for the info she wants to hear as opposed to the info she needs to hear.

Personally I want blunt. I would much rather have a doctor be blunt with me than beat around the bush or try to massage my ego while giving me information. I want the facts plain and simple and if my lifestyle is causing me health problems put it out there in black and white what I need to do and I'll do it. This is even more crucial for the OP who has had a heart attack already. If I had survived a heart attack and was told how to prevent another I'd be all in, not find ways to avoid doing it.

Yes, badblackpug was making perfect sense. The problem on this board is that you can say pretty much anything about anyone but if you dare give advice on healthy eating - even asked by someone (the OP) whose life is clearly at stake - you will be shredded by the masses here. Nobody wants to hear it. They want to be coddled and they will be here. Tough love need not apply.

Mods are always quick to shut down these forums in favor of the masses.

Believe me, I know it. There have been a lot of great threads about the obesity epidemic in the country that was a great conversation until someone started complaining and it got closed. The country in general would rather make excuses or ignore the problem than discuss it rationally instead of emotionally.

It has since been reversed but at one point the word skinny was quite literally a banned word here. If you typed it out is was changed to ****** just like you typed a slur or swear word.