I mentioned the other day that we’re shifting to a Mediterrasian diet in our household. So far, I’m completely sold, but quite honestly we’ve not done any food that is too far out from the norm as of yet. Having said that, I am beginning to see how some people become “foodies,” because trying new things and rediscovering things you’ve tried before is actually something of an adventure. The neat thing is that you can pretty much become a “foodie” without spending a lot by making everything at home from scratch.
I was thinking back the other day about some foods that I love now that I hated as a kid. This is a great reminder to me to not be closed minded about things (not just food) just because I didn’t like it before. My tastes may have changed, and will continue to change as the years go on. Here’s a short list of some of the things that I hated as a kid that I love now:
- onions - Even though I found out that raw red onions are one of my migraine triggers, I’ll still eat them if I think they’re worth the risk.
- Fig Newtons - Just tried these again last week for the first time in years and I really liked them.
- oatmeal - I love it and it’s good for me.
- spinach/mustard greens - Like most kids, I dreaded seeing this stuff being made. Now, I’m the only person in the family who’ll eat the stuff, and I love it.
- pot roast - Another food I dreaded as a kid. Now, I could eat it all the time, anytime.
- broccoli - I don’t remember eating this too much as a kid, but I do distinctly remember hating it. Add it to the love chart now.
- zucchini/squash - I can think Olive Garden for bringing me an appreciation for this great food.
Some new things I’ve recently tried for the first time that I found that I like:
- dates - Not something I see myself eating singularly, but I think they’ll be great in cereals, oatmeal, salads, etc.
- hummus - This is essentially puréed chick peas and tahini (which is puréed sesame seeds) along with a few other ingredients. This stuff is really good as a spread on breads or a dip with whole wheat crackers.
- asparagus - I tried this a few months ago for the first time over at a friend’s house and I really liked it. Honestly, I only tried it because I wanted to be a good guest, and now I’m sad that I turned my nose up at it all those years.
- pesto - There are so many ways to make pesto, but Joy made one the other day that was a red pepper version. It had both red bell pepper and crushed red peppers in it along with a bunch of other ingredients. Tossed in thin spaghetti, it tasted glorious.
Here are a few things on my short list to either try for the first time, or give another shot:
- fish - As I stated the other day, if it ever lived in water I don’t eat it. Because of heart health and other stuff, I really need to give fish another go. I realize there are all different tastes of fish, so I just need to find what I like. I already know I hate tuna, and when we lived in Alaska I was served salmon every way it can be prepared and I still hated it. We’ll start with some good, safe cod in the near future and go from there.
- eggplant - I’ve never tried it, but I’m looking forward to it. Baba ganoush anyone?
- shrimp - A food I’ve only accepted when it was breaded and fried out of its mind. Along with lobster and crab, they just look like giant bugs. I don’t eat bugs.
What are some food you hated as a kid and like now? Do you have foods you always rejected, but found you liked them once you gave them a try?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Congratulations you two!
I remember hating tofu as a kid. I have grown up to love it. So yes, it is very important to keep an open mind towards food and try various different cuisines.
I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal that a child may have to try a particular food as many as 15 times before they decide he likes it. I keep trying to remember that as we try new foods out with my toddler. The article said the key to introducing the new foods was to be low key about it and not try to force the food on the child- kind of a take it or leave it approach to new foods.
Avocados- thought they were disgusting as a kid, but absolutely love them now. Started out trying guacomole, then sliced in turkey and swiss sandwiches, now I slice them into salads or just eat them straight up.
I’ve always loved yellow squash, but can’t get any of my family to eat it. One child did try it in my sis-in-law’s baked casserole, but when you add all the cheese, butter, eggs, etc, it kinda takes out the healthy aspect.