Q&A for How to Eat Foods You Don't Like

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  • Question
    Why is variety important in meal planning?
    Kelly Gomez
    Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
    Kelly Gomez is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Director of Nutrition Services at DexaBody. She specializes in helping clients understand the relationship between their nutritional choices and overall health. She has clinical experience working with clients who need meal plans, nutrition counseling, and sports nutrition information. Kelly is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a member of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitian Association (CPSDA). She has a Master of Science in nutrition science and a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
    Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
    Expert Answer
    Research shows that eating 20+ different types of plant foods in the stretch of a week can really impact a person's gut microbiome. If you're not a fan of changing up your diet or adding in healthier foods, try to be curious and explore new dishes that have certain new foods in them. Try experimenting with recipes that allow you to hide ingredients—for instance, there was a big TikTok hack about cooking zucchini and blending it into a pasta sauce to get the extra nutrients.
  • Question
    Is there a way to actually learn to LIKE something I hate?
    Community Answer
    Actually, it is scientifically proven that if you have a serving of that food for 30 days straight, you will either start to like it or not be able to taste it anymore.
  • Question
    I'm 16 and since I was only four years old I have had a diet of chicken nuggets, bread, bacon and cereal. Literally nothing else other than lollies or chips. How do I start to like other things?
    Community Answer
    Start eating the new foods with what you are used to, and slowly progress into just the new foods. It can take time to get used to a new food. Keep trying it and it should slowly start to taste better over time.
  • Question
    How do I swallow food that I don't like without throwing up?
    Community Answer
    Try breathing only through your mouth. If you don't breath through your nose, you won't be able to taste the food as much. It's like holding your nose when you eat something.
  • Question
    My Grandmother is trying to make me eat bacon fat and I gag just putting the stuff in my mouth. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Put it on your fork with another food, or if it's in a sandwich, make sure you eat it with the bread to disguise the texture and taste. If that doesn't help, you don't have to eat it! Although she is your grandmother, she can't force you to eat it! Just politely decline and leave it to the side of the plate.
  • Question
    How can I like Asian food? I keep hearing they eat dogs, cat and rats.
    Community Answer
    Most Asian countries do never include dogs, cats and rats in their dishes. And if you are eating out of a restaurant, this will never be the case. Research what is in each dish before you eat, as this may give you some peace of mind.
  • Question
    My parent serves hot soup every day during the summer and gets really offended if I don't eat it. How can I explain that I don't like eating soup during the summer?
    Community Answer
    Make some suggestions for food you do like. Even better, offer to make the meal yourself and give your parent a break from the soup making routine.
  • Question
    How do I make it seem like I like cheese?
    Community Answer
    There are a million different varieties of cheese, so try and find one that you really like.
  • Question
    My mom makes me eat fish. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Ask your mom to prepare it with different seasonings, or imagine it is something else.
  • Question
    How do I make food taste better without seasoning?
    Community Answer
    Pretend it is something that you like, or imagine yourself as someone who likes the food. You can also try mixing it with different foods and see how you like it best.
  • Question
    My mom makes me eat vegetables with weird names like lady's finger, and I keep thinking I am eating a finger. What do I do?
    Feco2plasma
    Community Answer
    Ignore the name, and realize it's just a vegetable and nothing disgusting like fingers. Tell your mom how you feel, and ask her to be more sensitive to this.
  • Question
    My mom is making me eat kidney. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Tell her that the consumption of such a food is uncomfortable for you to eat, and you'd rather try something else.
  • Question
    What if it's an entire meal that I don't like, and not just one part?
    Community Answer
    You can try seasoning it. If you are in private, you can try mixing up the flavors or adding condiments. If you hold your nose, it actually blocks out the taste, or at least some of it. If you really don't like the meal, you can try saying you're not hungry, or just try to eat it, and rinse your mouth with water in between bites.
  • Question
    I despise oatmeal, but my stepmom has been forcing me to eat it and complaining when I don't eat it all. How do I make the texture more bearable so I can eat it?
    Community Answer
    Try to add other things to the oatmeal, such as dried fruits and berries. You can even add nuts to it. This will offer a different texture to the oatmeal as well as some nice flavors. You can also ask if there is an alternative you can have, like cereal, granola, or an oat bar. Or ask your father if he can talk to your stepmom for you. Your real parent has the real authority over you.
  • Question
    My mom forces me to eat this food until there's not even a crumb left. How can I cope with this?
    Community Answer
    Try to hold your breath while you eat it to disguise the flavor. Or try mixing that food with something else you like or love. Also, try just telling your mom how you feel.
  • Question
    I have to eat Chipotle on a school trip and I hate the food there. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    You could bring your own lunch, or just order something bland.
  • Question
    What if it's a really thick chunky soup and whenever you taste it, you feel like throwing up?
    Community Answer
    Imagine that the soup is something you like and remind yourself that you won't really throw up. It's all in your head.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have to eat a food I hate that makes me want to throw up, and I'm not allowed to leave the table until I finish?
    Community Answer
    Hold your nose shut to help minimize smell and taste, and immediately drink something with flavor afterwards.
  • Question
    How can I survive at Christmas dinner with the family if I don't like the vegetables?
    Community Answer
    You'll survive. Try just a small amount.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents that I'm allergic to eggs and fish?
    Community Answer
    Show them the side effects of whatever you're eating. If the effects aren't visible (like a swollen throat), ask them to take you to the doctor for an allergy test.
  • Question
    How can I eat oranges when the pulp makes me sick?
    Community Answer
    If something literally makes you sick, you should not eat it. If you mean it disgusts you, you can try some of the guidelines in the article. Or just drink orange juice. You do not have to eat every single food; it's fine to just not eat some things.
  • Question
    What can I do if I'm vegan and being forced to eat meat?
    Community Answer
    Tell the person forcing you that you're a vegan. If he continues to force you, you can try eating a little bit and then saying you're full.
  • Question
    I don't really like drinking natural water, but I want to because it is healthy. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You could add a splash lemon, apple, grape or cranberry juice to add flavor to your water.
  • Question
    How do I make myself like the taste of a liquid? I am not sure if this technique will work for cola.
    Community Answer
    You do not have to like every type of drink/food. If you do not like cola, then don't drink it. It's not good for you anyway!
  • Question
    How do I eat hot foods without waiting too long or blowing on them? Should I drink ice water after I try to eat it?
    Community Answer
    I think it's better to wait, because you may burn your tongue if you try to eat it hot. Drinking ice water will make the burn feel a little better, but it will still hurt.
  • Question
    How do I eat foods I don't like when I'm a kid?
    Community Answer
    Try them! That might sound like what all parents say to their children about a food that they despise, but firsthand, it is true. Try everything you don't like more than once, sometimes things get better the second or third time you have them. Be adventurous and persistent and you might find you end up liking things you never thought possible.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of the taste of cucumber?
    Community Answer
    Try dipping the cucumber in ranch, or another condiment that you like.
  • Question
    My Grandma is making me eat veggies soaked in pepper, and I'm rejecting it. I wanted to do it with some bread, but she took the bread away.
    Audrey Hor
    Community Answer
    Try eating it alone or try tasting it with other kinds of food. It is good to experiment with food to achieve the taste that you like.
  • Question
    Is there anything I can do to get used to meals I don't really like in another country?
    Community Answer
    Try mixing up different foods, or finding something that you can modify to make it more enjoyable for you.
  • Question
    What does it mean if I vomit when I eat something I dislike?
    Community Answer
    It means you're working yourself up to the point your body retches. You may be a little over-dramatic.
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