I never would have considered myself to be a picky eater when I was younger. But the other day, as I sat eating an orange, it occurred to me how far I’ve come now that I’m “all grown up,” even if I did have juice from an orange dripping down my chin at the age of 39….
It is a fact that when I was a little girl, the only fruit I would eat is an apple. The apple had to be cut into chunks, and it had to be peeled. Otherwise I could not, would not eat it (Sam I am).
When I think about that, two thoughts come to mind: First: Mom, I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about trying a strawberry. And second: I am so thankful I have now learned to like so many new foods!
Let’s just reflect a moment on the “never tried a strawberry” apology. For Pete’s sake – it’s not that I really didn’t like strawberries. I don’t believe I’d ever really tried one. The same goes with fresh peaches, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, pears, plums, grapes, oranges, and the list goes on and on. I had decided that I didn’t like any of them before I even tried them.
I think texture had something to do with my assumption that I would not like these delicious foods. Beyond that, I sure didn’t know what I was missing!
I say all this to encourage you in several ways:
1. If you think you don’t like fruits or vegetables, ask yourself if you’ve ever really given them a chance. I seriously never even tried broccoli until after I was married. I never ate a whole orange until after I became a mother. And I was over the age of thirty when I realized that plums were amazing. I am obviously a slow learner. But I’d like to share that if I can learn, so can you. I’m so glad I did!
2. Focus on eating a variety. Try not to get stuck in a rut. There are so many great fruits and vegetables to choose from. Branch out!
3. If your kids are picky, keep trying and don’t be discouraged. I have definitely learned that my kids’ tastes change and develop with age. (I believe I have learned that about myself too, huh?!) My pickiest son is now starting to like and eat more fruit and vegetable varieties – finally! That’s because we keep offering them, keep making him try little bites, keep giving them to him in different ways (like in smoothies or on fruit pizza). He has quite a nice, long list of his “favorite” fruits now.
4. If you’ve tried hard and really don’t like certain fruits or vegetables, it’s okay to move on to other ones. No matter how hard I try, I really don’t like pears. Everyone else in my family loves them. I keep trying them, thinking that maybe, just maybe, someday I’ll bite into one and say, “Mmm, that is so good!” But it hasn’t happened yet because wow pears are so dog-gone grainy. (It’s that texture issue I referred to earlier, apparently.) But guess what? My world goes on, even without pears because while I really don’t like them, I really, really like about three dozen other fruits. So I’m good to go.
I’m also proud to say that I don’t have to peel my apples anymore, or eat them only in the form of chunks – just in case you were wondering. ;)
Do you have picky eaters in your household? Have you found that you like more fruits and vegetables now that you are older? What tricks have you found to help your family eat more fruits and vegetables?
Erika says
Thanks for your post! There is hope, I guess, for my kids, huh!? I was wondering about the pears. I never liked canned pears, and then discovered that canned pears are always Bosc pears, which I really don’t like. But I like D’Anjou pears, and REALLY love red D’Anjou pears. They’re a totally different flavor, much sweeter, and I don’t even think they’re grainy. Have you tried them? Just curious! Have a wonderful day!
Erin says
Asian pears taste like pear but hane the texture of an apple. Food for thought…
Amanda : Grace & Gusto says
That’s really good to know, thank you for saying this!
Amanda : Grace & Gusto says
Haha I am the same way about pears, and I was definitely a picky eater as a child. At one point I decided I didn’t like pizza because the sauce gave me a headache! Now, though, I love trying new things. I hope that my daughter will be more open to fruits and veggies than I was, since we have a big garden and eat only whole foods (very different from the way I was raised). She will be surrounded by God’s bounty all the time!
Rachel E. says
Yep, I have picky eaters, but I just continue to offer them new things. I figure some will eat it some won’t and some will learn to like it eventually.
Vanderbilt Wife says
My daughter is pretty much the same kid you were! I swear for 9 months she ate nothing but bananas, cheese, and bread. (Constipation much?) For the longest time she would only eat bananas and PEELED apples. In the last 6 months or so (at 4 1/2) she’s actually tried broccoli, spinach, oranges, grapes, and strawberries. She PEELS her grapes. Seriously. But she will eat them. We’re making some progress …
dana says
my friend’s son will only eat fruit and pasta with just butter. My daughter hates real butter (What??) and will only eat “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”. yuck. Kids. hmm
angi says
I’m with you on the pears. I think when we plant pear trees I’ll look for a “non-grainy” variety. But some of my family likes that about pears.
My children are not picky but each has their own likes and dislikes – which we try to respect. My 3 yo doesn’t really like salad but each night we give her just a small amount with some feta cheese on it and she will now eat it without complaint. I really think the key is variety and to keep offering small amounts, esp. if there are alot of things your kids won’t eat.
Ingrid says
My oldest (he’s 4) is the pickiest of our kids. He certainly has that whole “decided he doesn’t like it w/out trying it” mantra going on. Thankfully he loves most fruits, it’s the veggies we struggle with getting him to eat. But he’ll scarf down a spinach smoothie any time of day! I have hope for him though as he has improved over the last 6 mos. or so.
*I didn’t eat a salad until I was in college!
Tiffany says
We usually try to buy at least one new fruit or vegetable every time we go to the store. When we get home, I try to find a recipe for it, (or possibly just eat it raw) and usually, it’s pretty good. Just the past few weeks we’ve tried jicama, ugli fruit, pomegranate, starfruit, and pomelo.
Rebecca says
My oldest is the most selective eater, but both my sons are autistic and have intense sensory challenges, so we encourage new foods, but understand and respect those needs. I am especially picky about certain foods, not so much which ones I like, but rather exactly when they get eaten. Peaches and Nectarines are great, but if they are over ripe, no way. Bananas need to be still partly green, no spots. And grapes need to be super firm, not squishy at all.
Joy says
Just want to say your beautiful picture of fresh fruit is making me drool!!! Isn’t it wonderful that our Creator has given us such a variety of color, textures, and flavors in fruits and veggies? He is truly awesome! Man’s attempts to imitate always pales in comparison to what God has done!
dana says
I wish I could just reach out and eat the photo you attached! My mouth is seriously watering.
The only food I can’t tolerate to eat is any meat or fish. I think it’s a texture thing too (plus loads of science classes in high school and college. eeuuww.) but I digress. I’ll eat all of the fruits and veggies that all you picky eaters reject. ;-)
Tracie says
My kids generally dislike vegetables, and won’t try them. There are 3 that are acceptable in our house right now raw carrots, spinach (usually in smoothies or frozen fruit pops), and crispy kale chips. I just think it’s so ironic that my kids act like I’m poisoning them if asked to try a new veggie, but if grandma sends them a care package full of junk food, she’s awesome! One day, I will laugh about it, I’m sure!
Sheila H. says
That platter of fruit would be gone in fewer than 5 minutes in this house. I am a proud mom of great eaters and we still have so many fruits and veggies to try. I just roasted a beet last night to add to a salad and only the adults like it but they did try a bite.
My rule at any meal is “fruit or veggie first.” It has helped open my boys’ ideas of what to like because they are hungrier than if I offered bread first (I frequently don’t even have bread on the table).
And different pears do have different textures. We love D’Anjou.
Donna says
I could not stand sweet potatoes. They were only served at Thanksgiving ~ canned ones with marshmallows on top. I only took a serving so I could eat the melty crispy marshmallows. Then at age 40 I discovered I love REAL sweet potatoes ~ fresh ones. My dearest friend invited our family over for dinner a few years ago and blessed us with a “real” Thanksgiving feast with fresh sweet potatoes with butter, pure maple syrup, and pecans. Heavenly! My favorite comfort food now is a baked sweet potato with butter and a light sprinkle of cinnamon! Yum……
Ann says
I now eat almost every kind of fruit and veggie, although I don’t eat okra by choice (although I can manage to east a dish it is in). And I still prefer my apples peeled and cut up.
Regarding pears, they are totally worthless unless properly ripened. And they can get soft because they are old rather than being ripe. And when they are old/soft they get a weird hard fibrousness that they are not supposed to have, and a grainy mushiness. Also some kinds are more texture challenged in the first place.
My hints (if you ever feel like trying again) are:
– don’t even bother tasting it unless it has a sweet pear aroma and the end gives slightly if you press it. Don’t even bother.
– try Anjou or Bartlett. (Bosc can be wonderful I just find it harder to tell if they are ripe).
But if you don’t feel like trying it anymore, that is ok! I believe you that you have already tried it. I hereby absolve you from the requirement to eat pears.
Jill says
I think living in America with the choices we have avaailable is part of what makes us picky. When your faced with a new food that looks, smells, or sounds “icky”, think of it like this: if you were dirt poor or if resources were extremely scarce and this _______ was the only food item you had to eat today, would you still turn your nose up at it? Looking at it this way, we find that it really doesn’t kill you to eat a few bites of a food you don’t particularly like.
And I think Donna made a good point – sometimes when you try food in one form you hate it, but when you try it in a different form you love it – so don’t rule something out after one only experience. I hate straight mustard. But when I tried chow-chow, which had mustard in it, I loved it. I hate raw broccoli but love it steamed with salt on top.
Christine says
I am still not a fruit fan and never have been. I like fruit baked in things; in salads and smoothies but to pick up a grape or banana and just eat it is a rare occurrence. Fortunately my kids love fruit.
I do not like pears either but I stumbled upon one which I really enjoyed. It is a “Comice” pear. Believe it or not there is a spice flavor and the texture is similar to an apple. The Comice pear is juicy and sweet and spicey. I have not seen them in my store for months so I am thinking it is an early winter fruit.
Dana says
When my husband and I started dating, the only fruit he would eat was bananas. The only juice he would drink was orange juice. He had never had fresh oranges, peaches, any kind of melon, kiwi, pears, plums, grapes, or any kind of berry. We’ve come a long way since then! For those who don’t like a particular fruit or veggie, try it baked. That was the gateway for my husband into finding many of the foods he likes today!
CeCe says
Laura,
Have you tried pears when they are soft and juicy?
I didn’t like pears as child– too grainy. Never ate them again until I was in my late 20’s. That’s when I discovered somehow, that you have to let pears sit for a few days after picking them off the tree or after bringing them home from the grocery store. When they are soft and JUICY, boy are they amazing!!!
Also, my kids don’t like them much fresh, but if I cut them into halves, put in a foil-covered, pie pan (greased with melted butter), sprinkle with some cinnamon and bake at 350 for about 20 mins, they love the result. It’s like I gave them pie or something. (not sure I got those baking directions correct; play with it until satisfied; just bake until the pear is soft when you stick a toothpick in it. Also drizzle more butter over top as pear bakes) We like this recipe with red pears; but Bosc pears is what the original recipe suggested. Don’t recall where I got the recipe from. I think it was one of those morning talk shows.
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving says
I still don’t like bananas. I think it’s the texture…or something, but I just don’t like them!
Karen says
I recently joined a produce co-op. My kids are good fruit & veggie eaters, but previously I was stuck in a produce rut. Now my family eats a much greater variety of produce & I am forced to find new recipies for things like leeks, kale, & turnips. While that may not sound like fun to some, we are really enjoying it!
Rita says
I don’t really like the texture of most pears myself, but I power through because I LOVE the taste. The best pear I’ve found are D’Anjou pears – Much less grainy!
Kim says
WHAT?!?!?!? Not like fruits and veggies??? Sorry, I just can’t picture this (as I stare at my lunch of an orange, apple, pear, celery, carrots, red peppers, cukes, and tomatoes….not mixed together, haha). I grew up eating whole foods and can’t imagine anyone not loving them. The biggest part of our grocery bill is buying tons of freggies (FRuits and vEGGIES) from the local farmers market every week. My kids are constantly snacking on various freggies and my 5 year old always wants to go to restaurants with a salad bar so he can load up with a plate of veggies. I’ve actually had to tell my kids (5 and 2) before that they can’t have more freggies until the finish their pizza or mac and cheese.
Heather @ My Kansas Life says
My hubby was very anti-veggie and anti-fruit when we first married. But, over time, he’s tried so many different types and actually came to like a few. There are still some he can’t handle without an ample cheesy coating, but I’m proud of him for trying new tastes!
Cindy says
The kids call each other, “Sam I Am,” if someone says they don’t like something they haven’t tried. We say, “I don’t care for this,” (to not hurt preparer’s feelings) not “I don’t like this,” and only after we’ve given it a try. Our kids know we will always have them eat at least one bite even if it isn’t a favorite, but they don’t freak out because they equally know they can be completely done after that. There is little they don’t eat barring allergies.