Comments on: Taste Psychology: Learning To Love Foods You Don’t Like

By: Darya Pino

Darya Pino — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:04:57 +0000

Try a different cheese?

By: Duncan

Duncan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:19:38 +0000

I’ve been trying to acclimatize my palate to cheese on the orders of my nutritionist brother. I’ve been having a little piece of very mild camembert every day for the best part of a month now and it still tastes absolutely vial. I have to wash my mouth out with water immediately after swallowing. Any advice on a better way?

By: Darya Pino

Darya Pino — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:45:46 +0000

Hi Isabelle,

My guess is that it’s the unfamiliarity that is making you queasy. My advice is to stick with it, and try not to judge your experience but be more zen about it and just view it as a learning experience every time you try something new (e.g. in your mind instead of thinking, “gross, slimy!” think, “fruits seem to be colder and wetter than other foods, how interesting.”). Also be sure to get good foods (e.g. since strawberries are out of season right now I’d avoid them until summer). Over time the familiarity should kick in and before you know it you’ll be perfectly comfortable with the new things.

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:24:52 +0000

If anyone has any insight to this I’d be grateful for some help. I’m 20 years old, and maybe I’m just crazy but there are a whole variety of foods I’ve just never eaten, like fruits,vegetables,(with the exceptions of potatoes, corn, and bananas) berries, and eggs. I don’t know why I’ve never eaten them, all of my family does all of the time, but I’ve always shied away from them as long as I can remember. A couple of years ago I realized this was ridiculous, they look alright, they smell fine, there is absolutely no reason I should dislike them, and even less that I should never try them. So I started with the egg, cooked it all sorts of ways and most of them looked very appetizing. I couldn’t get beyond a couple of bites without gagging. Lately I’ve been going through all of the different fruits and they’re all the same, I can’t STAND any of the textures, especially the way they feel as I swallow. They don’t even taste like real food to me, its like grabbing some plants out of the yard and trying to make them go down. I’m not going to give up trying because I really don’t want to die of malnutrition or anything but the more I think about it the weirder it seems, how is it that these things only taste inedible to me? Is there some way to at least make them tolerable even if I never get to really liking it?

By: Darya Pino

Darya Pino — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:25:11 +0000

Of all the foods that aren’t a necessary part of your diet, potatoes are high on the list. If you don’t like them it’s probably a blessing, honestly. How do you feel about yams or sweet potatoes, those are healthier anyway.

By: Peach

Peach — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:19:20 +0000

Any advice on how to teach myself to like potatoes. I absolutely despise them (any kind, fries, chips, etc..) but as I am a vegetarian my mom says they are a “necessary part of my diet”. Bleh in my opinion, but I don’t really have much choice! Any advice would be fantabulous!

By: Marcos Galindo

Marcos Galindo — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:12:28 +0000

Hello,
My name is Marcos and i have a real problem with learning how to eat new food. I dont know if its like a phobea of trying something new but i feel like i need help i recognize that i have a serious problem not eating things that could help me even for my health. I dislike many things and havent found a way to even try it without saying no right away. If anyone can help Me it would be really appreciated.

By: Kittygomah

Kittygomah — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:41:03 +0000

I know its almost impossible to overcome it.I saw something disguisting while eating an egg when I was 5 years old and since then Im literally sick when I try to eat an egg.Not that I want to but my body reacts like that.It doesnt depend from my will.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:05:06 +0000

Great article. I’ve been searching for a way to enjoy fruits and vegetables more than I do. Right now all I really eat are the starchy, not-so-good-for-you vegetables. There’s something about the texture of most fruits and veggies that I seem unable to get through, though I’m trying. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

By: Darya Pino

Darya Pino — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:49:54 +0000

A lot of people feel this way when they are young. The good news is your tastes will change as you get older, so it is worth continuing to try. KFC is really really bad for you, but there may be chicken or other foods you like if someone who isn’t your mom cooks them. Just keep trying new things.