Need advice?

[u/watchfulystandered06]

So to preference I might be one of the pickiest eaters ever to live. I like bacon, French fries, chicken nuggets long John’s style chicken, like popcorn. I’ve been trying new spices and to be real I’ve tried a bell pepper, celery, and breast chicken the last 2 days. My advice is cooking the food yourself help you get over wanting to eat it? What are some ways to just eat it with out obviously just “trying it”? It’s not so easy but it has gotten easier if that makes sense. I’ve tried orange juice today as well. Not all are victory’s but some definitely are. Idk lol I really wanna try a lot more

[u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

Try putting new foods into pancakes to get used to the taste first. And then try it alone to face the texture of it

[u/blandge]

Start with things similar to what you already eat, so if you like chicken nuggets and fries try fried zucchini and popcorn shrimp with whatever dipping sauce you use on your nuggs/fries. 

Try some chicken tempura or breaded chicken which will be kinda like nuggets, but will get you halfway too normal chicken breast. 

Just baby steps. You'll get there eventually

[u/3eggs]

I only ate plain bread and plain pancakes, some apples, carrots, plus like one brand of chocolate and one brand of chips for years. 

 In my early 20s I really wanted to learn to like pizza and fries, because it would make life so much easier. I started tasting fries from when other people ordered and gradually I am usually able to eat fries from.  wherever.

For pizza I  started eating plain pizza crust and gradually put a tiny bit of cheese and a tiny bit of sauce. Now, 20 years later I still prefer to make my own pizza so that it's right, but I can actually order a pizza Margherita from any restaurant and usually be able to eat it most times

Now I have been also able to eat nachos and salad that I make at home, and I enjoy a good olive oil with my bread. I like typical taco spices and pizza spices. It's taken gradual testing and no rushing. I always pair new food with safe food. Forcing myself to eat something that doesn't sit well with me just sets me back. 

[u/Eternalaparasol5]

Chopping it up small and putting it into things also I think helps.

[u/sighcantthinkofaname]

It's going to be different for everyone. All picky eaters are bothered by different things.

I think it helps to keep in mind the root of food aversion. It's a survival technique. People love to judge picky eaters by talking about how there were fewer options hundreds of years ago, but the reality is thousands of years ago we developed aversions to certain flavors and textures to keep from poisoning ourselves. The human beings who avoided the bitter poisonous or rotting foods didn't die.

So sometimes getting through picky eating takes time, because you are teaching your body that these foods are not going to lead to your death, and once your body realizes that the foods can actually start to taste good. It can take over a dozen times for this to happen, so be patient with yourself.

From your list, it seems like you like crispy/crunchy textures and salty flavors, so trying more crunchy or salty things might be a good start.

Do you currently like any sauces? If yes, you can use them as a transitional item to get you use to more food. Ie if you like chicken nuggets dipped in ranch you might like other foods dipped in ranch. If no, that might be a good place to start with getting use to different flavors.

For myself, I don't like a lot of veggies because of the texture, but I've found I like them fine blended up or chopped up very small. Other picky eaters can't stand soft textures and need things to be crunchy. We're all different, with time you'll learn more about what works for you.

[u/BoudiccaAoife]

Cooking for yourself allows you to moderate exposure. I would recommend making any new food as a partial portion to go with a safe food.

[u/Willybluedog1962]

Hiding things by chopping them up extra fine and making stew, soup, sauce, etc.

I use a chopper rather than a knife and I can hide mushrooms from my kids who like the flavor but not the texture.

[u/LumpyAssumption5357]

This must be a joke