Picky Eaters

**Susie Q Roo** · 07-25-2007

Are they born or made?

I don't know if this frustrates me so much because I used to be one or what, but it's one of those things that annoys the hell out of me. (And, yes, it IS irrational to feel that way... why should I care what anyone wants to eat?

)

In my own defense of when I USED TO BE one, I was raised in a home with a mom who really didn't cook to speak of and for whom Kraft Dinner was a staple. If we were lucky, there was meatloaf, or spaghetti (sauce made from tomato *juice*

), but usually it was chipped chopped ham or bologna sandwiches and, eventually, freezer meals and every man for himself.

But... I left home, I grew up, I expanded my taste buds and my food horizons. Lots of people do. Why don't the others? Why are they stuck with the taste buds of a 4 year old?

pamplemoose77 · 07-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Are they born or made?

ummm.. not sure.. but my sister and i were raised eating the same meals, and she's WAY the heck pickier than i am. well, she's not like picky at a dinner party, but she's also not adventurous. she wouldn't be caught dead eating half the stuff i do. in that case i'd say born since we were raised on same food...

but i also made a conscious decision as an adult to branch out and try new foods, so i'm guessing it's a multi-faceted answer

Sunny20 · 07-25-2007

Very good question...
when I was a few years younger I didn't eat onions, mushrooms and did NOT eat chicken at ALL.. some stubborn thing I guess..
I got a little bit older and started realizing that being stubborn about this isn't really fun so i tried..
I still don't eat mushrooms but if they are in some dish I eat them.. I just don't like them..
I LOVE chicken now.. and eat it more than beef...
But there is one thing I can't eat.. and that's the fat from any meat.. It just grosses me out..!!! and gravy is something I don't want to eat.. but if it's on the dish I do.. but I'd rather not.

I think picky eaters are just people that have been raised up with that attitude that it's OK to be a picky eater. Their parents didn't force them to eat the food on the plate or just didn't care.
Even though I was a picky eater when I was younger there were rules.. If I didn't like what was for dinner it didn't mean there was another option.. so I ate the food

**james** · 07-25-2007

I fought all vegetables until 16 then I talked myself down from the ledge and now it pisses me off as well, and I'm determined to ensure my kids aren't like I was... but I have no idea how to do that beyond offering lots of exposure to variety.

MWC · 07-25-2007

When it's young kids, it is more about control and emotion than anything else. Keep mealtimes relaxed, make your food attractive ... and don't have a cow if something is refused.

Our oldest has always been a more open-minded eater. Our younger had a bit of pickiness, but she is finding her way.

melliedee · 07-25-2007

Oh, I love this question! I think they are made, but in a nature vs. nurture question I always vote nurture.

Fifteen years of waitressing/bartending from my teens to 30 taught me never to be so picky in restaurants. "Oh, I'll have the ceaser salad, but is the dressing made with anchovies? If so, I'll have ranch on the side. And no croutons or parmesan!" Okay, here's your bowl of lettuce!

I understand when folks have food allergies, but sometimes you just have to roll your eyes at obnoxious requests and pickiness for the sake of being a jerk? Also, if you grow up trying new foods when very young, I think you are much more open as an adult.

**Susie Q Roo** · 07-25-2007

Just for the record, there are things I don't like, but I've tried them enough times to know I'm not ever going to. Some of them make me a little sicky (onions), and others can't be understood by a lot of people (melon), but for the most part, I won't refuse to try anything (except some of those things in Stewie's reports!).

ElvisP · 07-25-2007

I love seafood in general. Those shrimp cocktails with octopus and other sea critters. My boy's mom doesn't eat seafood and said my boy didn't eat what she didn't. He was 2 years old, what did he know?. One day I got mad and fixed several plates for him. Shrimp, octopus, tuna salad, oysters etc. That shut her up. He eat everything except for the shrimp. But I'm sure he'll start eating them when he's ready. Some foods have an acquired taste, you gotta try it a few times b4 you enjoy it. I hated squash as a kid, now I love it.

The more you learn about nutrients, the more likely you are to change your eating habits.

StewartG · 07-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Are they born or made?

I don't know if this frustrates me so much because I used to be one or what, but it's one of those things that annoys the hell out of me. (And, yes, it IS irrational to feel that way... why should I care what anyone wants to eat?

)

In my own defense of when I USED TO BE one, I was raised in a home with a mom who really didn't cook to speak of and for whom Kraft Dinner was a staple. If we were lucky, there was meatloaf, or spaghetti (sauce made from tomato *juice*

), but usually it was chipped chopped ham or bologna sandwiches and, eventually, freezer meals and every man for himself.

But... I left home, I grew up, I expanded my taste buds and my food horizons. Lots of people do. Why don't the others? Why are they stuck with the taste buds of a 4 year old?

Sorry Susie, I just don't like to try new things. Please don't judge me!

. . .

. . .

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

(Anyone want another skunk butt taco?)

melliedee · 07-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by StewartG

Sorry Susie, I just don't like to try new things. Please don't judge me!

. . .

. . .

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

(Anyone want another skunk butt taco?)

Anyone who begins a sentence with, "After they ripped the cheek meat from the skull..." wins the non-picky eater award.

Forgot to mention I hate lima beans. Tried em again as an adult, still despise them.

bedeaway · 07-25-2007

I think it's the fear of the unknown. I'll never forget a time when I was at a black tie engagement dinner. Very posh. The waiters were walking around with trays of hors d'ourvs (I know, I know it's spelled wrong so Jesus or anyone can certainly help me out here), but anyway, a tray of something that looked and smelled pretty good came by, so I tried one. Yummy, I asked the waiter what it was, he said "escargot madame" and I promptly spit it out, into my napkin of course.

I love every vegetable I've ever had, except turnips. They do nothing for me. I'll try any vegie or fruit. Thankfully, Dev is the same way. She is more of an adventurer than I, she'll try anything. I'm just not big on sea food or meat. I always picture what it looked like when it was alive.

jx2 · 07-25-2007

To me it has a lot to do with consitency. I never have been a picky eater, but i do have some weird likes and dislikes. I love ketchup, like tomatoes, but cant stand tomato juice

. Love good moist cornbread, but can't even get myself to swallow very dry cornbread(it balls up in my mouth and wont go anywhere).

It is kinda embarrassing going out to eat with picky friends

.

bufante · 07-25-2007

I have been accused of being a picky eater (wrongly of course)...

In my house growing up, we had to try everything we could...twice...just in case the first time was a fluke. I like many things, I dislike many things...and then there is a bunch of things I just don't care for (which gives the perception of being picky).

I agree about gravey...just can't do it.

pao2310 · 07-25-2007

I always wondered myself it was genetics or not.

Both my husband and his twin brother are very picky eaters. The only vegetables my brother in law will eat are potatoes and lettuce.

My husband used to be very picky but I made him try new things and little by little he has opened up to new tastes. I always add stuff to his food without him knowing about it like anchovies paste or chopped up mushrooms. He still does not know about it.

I will try anything, my grandmothers made me eat EVERYTHING in my plate.

In Honduras there are not any special kids meals, you eat what is ordered for you at a restaurant or what has been cooked for dinner. I remember asking for my sixth birthday to have seafood pizza, my favorite food. It was my favorite because that is just what my dad would ordered when we went out for pizza, I guess I did not know I had a choice to get a "normal" pizza like cheese or peperonni - lol!

Wow, I sure loved that seafood pizza with crabmeat, anchovies, shrimp, mushrooms and onions - lol!!!!!

**Anna** · 07-25-2007

Interesting question, indeed. I was a super-picky eater way up in my 20s. When I grew up I ate pasta, fish fingers and chicken, and that was pretty much it. I was late in life accepting mushroom, shrimp, coffee and a bunch of other things. Then I learned that taste changes and I opened myself up to new flavors and sensations. The latest thing I have started to like is olives, a lot due to Elsa, who absolutely LOVES olives. I always felt that I missed out on a lot of experiences due to my pickyness, so I'm very enthusiastic about my kids trying everything.

Is a picky eater born or made? Well, I think, like with so many aspects of who we are, it is a combination of both.

07-25-2007	#1 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,520	Picky Eaters Are they born or made? I don't know if this frustrates me so much because I used to be one or what, but it's one of those things that annoys the hell out of me. (And, yes, it IS irrational to feel that way... why should I care what anyone wants to eat? ) In my own defense of when I USED TO BE one, I was raised in a home with a mom who really didn't cook to speak of and for whom Kraft Dinner was a staple. If we were lucky, there was meatloaf, or spaghetti (sauce made from tomato juice ), but usually it was chipped chopped ham or bologna sandwiches and, eventually, freezer meals and every man for himself. But... I left home, I grew up, I expanded my taste buds and my food horizons. Lots of people do. Why don't the others? Why are they stuck with the taste buds of a 4 year old?

07-25-2007	#4 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,611	I fought all vegetables until 16 then I talked myself down from the ledge and now it pisses me off as well, and I'm determined to ensure my kids aren't like I was... but I have no idea how to do that beyond offering lots of exposure to variety. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

07-25-2007	#12 (permalink)
jx2 añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pac. NW. Posts: 3,950	To me it has a lot to do with consitency. I never have been a picky eater, but i do have some weird likes and dislikes. I love ketchup, like tomatoes, but cant stand tomato juice. Love good moist cornbread, but can't even get myself to swallow very dry cornbread(it balls up in my mouth and wont go anywhere). It is kinda embarrassing going out to eat with picky friends.

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07-25-2007	#3 (permalink)
Sunny20 Billow Maiden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: after 9 months in Playa del Carmen back in Iceland.. :( Posts: 2,445	Very good question... when I was a few years younger I didn't eat onions, mushrooms and did NOT eat chicken at ALL.. some stubborn thing I guess.. I got a little bit older and started realizing that being stubborn about this isn't really fun so i tried.. I still don't eat mushrooms but if they are in some dish I eat them.. I just don't like them.. I LOVE chicken now.. and eat it more than beef... But there is one thing I can't eat.. and that's the fat from any meat.. It just grosses me out..!!! and gravy is something I don't want to eat.. but if it's on the dish I do.. but I'd rather not. I think picky eaters are just people that have been raised up with that attitude that it's OK to be a picky eater. Their parents didn't force them to eat the food on the plate or just didn't care. Even though I was a picky eater when I was younger there were rules.. If I didn't like what was for dinner it didn't mean there was another option.. so I ate the food

07-25-2007	#5 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,829	When it's young kids, it is more about control and emotion than anything else. Keep mealtimes relaxed, make your food attractive ... and don't have a cow if something is refused. Our oldest has always been a more open-minded eater. Our younger had a bit of pickiness, but she is finding her way.

07-25-2007	#6 (permalink)
melliedee añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 3,592	Oh, I love this question! I think they are made, but in a nature vs. nurture question I always vote nurture. Fifteen years of waitressing/bartending from my teens to 30 taught me never to be so picky in restaurants. "Oh, I'll have the ceaser salad, but is the dressing made with anchovies? If so, I'll have ranch on the side. And no croutons or parmesan!" Okay, here's your bowl of lettuce! I understand when folks have food allergies, but sometimes you just have to roll your eyes at obnoxious requests and pickiness for the sake of being a jerk? Also, if you grow up trying new foods when very young, I think you are much more open as an adult.

07-25-2007	#7 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,520	Just for the record, there are things I don't like, but I've tried them enough times to know I'm not ever going to. Some of them make me a little sicky (onions), and others can't be understood by a lot of people (melon), but for the most part, I won't refuse to try anything (except some of those things in Stewie's reports!).

07-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
ElvisP añejo Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,780	I love seafood in general. Those shrimp cocktails with octopus and other sea critters. My boy's mom doesn't eat seafood and said my boy didn't eat what she didn't. He was 2 years old, what did he know?. One day I got mad and fixed several plates for him. Shrimp, octopus, tuna salad, oysters etc. That shut her up. He eat everything except for the shrimp. But I'm sure he'll start eating them when he's ready. Some foods have an acquired taste, you gotta try it a few times b4 you enjoy it. I hated squash as a kid, now I love it. The more you learn about nutrients, the more likely you are to change your eating habits.

07-25-2007	#11 (permalink)
bedeaway beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trappe, PA Posts: 391	I think it's the fear of the unknown. I'll never forget a time when I was at a black tie engagement dinner. Very posh. The waiters were walking around with trays of hors d'ourvs (I know, I know it's spelled wrong so Jesus or anyone can certainly help me out here), but anyway, a tray of something that looked and smelled pretty good came by, so I tried one. Yummy, I asked the waiter what it was, he said "escargot madame" and I promptly spit it out, into my napkin of course. I love every vegetable I've ever had, except turnips. They do nothing for me. I'll try any vegie or fruit. Thankfully, Dev is the same way. She is more of an adventurer than I, she'll try anything. I'm just not big on sea food or meat. I always picture what it looked like when it was alive.

07-25-2007	#13 (permalink)
bufante minucker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Crop Dusting the IA Posts: 2,600	I have been accused of being a picky eater (wrongly of course)... In my house growing up, we had to try everything we could...twice...just in case the first time was a fluke. I like many things, I dislike many things...and then there is a bunch of things I just don't care for (which gives the perception of being picky). I agree about gravey...just can't do it.

07-25-2007	#14 (permalink)
pao2310 way into it Join Date: May 2007 Location: Playa del Carmen~!! Posts: 136	I always wondered myself it was genetics or not. Both my husband and his twin brother are very picky eaters. The only vegetables my brother in law will eat are potatoes and lettuce. My husband used to be very picky but I made him try new things and little by little he has opened up to new tastes. I always add stuff to his food without him knowing about it like anchovies paste or chopped up mushrooms. He still does not know about it. I will try anything, my grandmothers made me eat EVERYTHING in my plate. In Honduras there are not any special kids meals, you eat what is ordered for you at a restaurant or what has been cooked for dinner. I remember asking for my sixth birthday to have seafood pizza, my favorite food. It was my favorite because that is just what my dad would ordered when we went out for pizza, I guess I did not know I had a choice to get a "normal" pizza like cheese or peperonni - lol! Wow, I sure loved that seafood pizza with crabmeat, anchovies, shrimp, mushrooms and onions - lol!!!!!

07-25-2007	#15 (permalink)
Anna top babe admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: after 10 wonderful years in Playa, now back in Sweden Posts: 3,002	Interesting question, indeed. I was a super-picky eater way up in my 20s. When I grew up I ate pasta, fish fingers and chicken, and that was pretty much it. I was late in life accepting mushroom, shrimp, coffee and a bunch of other things. Then I learned that taste changes and I opened myself up to new flavors and sensations. The latest thing I have started to like is olives, a lot due to Elsa, who absolutely LOVES olives. I always felt that I missed out on a lot of experiences due to my pickyness, so I'm very enthusiastic about my kids trying everything. Is a picky eater born or made? Well, I think, like with so many aspects of who we are, it is a combination of both.

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