So..I am just not a fan of vegetables page 2

[Inksplat]

Luckily I found another thread. It was more in regards to zero carb, but it had an interesting link to Primal Parent and her carnivorous diet.

I'm definitely going to keep trying to fit them in, but that at least makes me feel a little more comfortable that if I don't manage it immediately, its not going to do any harm.

And that's such a silly thought, because good lord, during my SAD eating days, my most common vegetable was ketchup, lol.

[Neckhammer]

Yeah, really no worries. Eat some offal and bone broth.

[BestBetter]

I used to be a big vegetable eater, but I cut down significantly due to my IBS. I now think that vegetables are really overrated, and I eat maybe 2-3 servings per day, only the low fiber ones (everything peeled and seeded) like zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, red peppers and onions. I think that the nutrional profile of a lot of veggies looks good on paper, but I've also quite a few papers that lead me to the conclusion that much of the nutrition in veggies is either bound by the fiber or unable to be fully digested and absorbed in the body. I actually feel a lot better eating fewer vegetables, which I never thought I'd find myself saying.

My husband has a similar hatred of veggies, but since he wants to be eating some, I use a few tricks so he doens't get the gag reflex. My small bag of tricks is mainly:

1) Focus on textures he likes/can deal with
2) Use flavors (like salt and spiciness) that he likes
3) Cook things down and hide them in something else.

For #1, I know he like crispy crunchy stuff and hates anything slimy. So he's more likely to be able to deal with steamed kale than steamed chard/spinach because the former never gets slimy like the latter does. Since he really likes salty crunchy chips, I'll soak zucchini slices in brine for an hour, then put them in the dehydrator. This has become his new favorite snack, even though he has always hated the taste and texture of zucchini.

For #2, I liberally season veggies with salt, chipotle powder, pretty much anything that can hide the flavor of the vegetables. Using this method I was able to make him chicken with broccoli, which was the first time he'd ever been able to eat broccoli without gagging in his life.

For #3, I might saute some onions, which he loves, and then add in some very thinly sliced zucchini. I let it saute a few minutes, then put the lid on the pan and really let the zucchini cook down so you almost can't tell it apart from the onion. Then i mix this into rice or eggs, or whatever it's going to be eaten with.

I personally don't think you have to feel bad if you don't like a lot of veggies. With an open mind and some experimentation, I do think that you'll be able to find something you like, even if it's just a few things, that's much better than ketchup!

[ElaineC]

I run hot and cold on veggies. My fav way to get them in is to buy bags of mixes I like, for example carrots, red and yellow peppers, and asparagus. I cook up some ground beef with onions, toss in thawed mixed veggies, and hide it all in some form of sauce. Spaghetti sauce is a fav, so is curry. Mushroom soup too. Ok, not as primal as it could be but still healthy, plus tasty.

[Crabbcakes]

For example, you could eat broccoli steamed with butter, roasted in the oven with olive oil and salt, raw in a salad, or cooked with cream into a broccoli timbale. Experiment with different textures and flavors. Again, just like a child, tell yourself that you don't have to like it, you just have to try it. Initially think "exposure" more than "enjoyment.".

Hey Inksplat!

I really like what mrsc had to say, and it is my advice as well. I, personally, love almost every vegetable grown on the planet, but I have a kid who is taking a little while to get used to the veggies. We have the same deal - no pressure at all, just lots of exposure to as many different preparations of x veggie I can find recipes to try. She has learned to like a lot this way, in her own time. There are literally hundreds of recipes for every veg on the planet - given enough time, I am sure you will find some new friends.

I feel that veggies are important to the human diet, but I don't think you are going to fail the WOE portion of the Primal if liking the veggies takes some time - you do have a few you alreay like: a couple at home, and a couple in restaurants, so it isn't as if you tolerate NONE of them.

I have a big herb garden, and there is a lot of nutrition in fresh herbs as well, so that may be a route to get some green in there. I also have discovered a real liking for some green veggie powder called GreensPlus - I mix a half-teaspoon into a small glass of ice cold tomato-vegetable juice blend and stir well - I like the way it feels in the bod.

As much as I like the vegetable matter, even I don't like each and every recipe. There is definitely hope for you!

[Sabine]

Ditto what Betorq said. Write them a letter asking for the recipe, since they are far away. People are surprisingly generous if you ask nicely.
Then, once you know what makes their method/ingredient work for you, apply that to every other vegetable you meet until you find more things you like.

[Finnegans Wake]

This blows my mind.

I literally cannot comprehend hating veggies. Maybe... badly prepared veggies? I remember vegetables from my childhood that were overcooked into sorry mush, but fresh, simply prepared vegetables, cooked crisp-tender, where you're tasting the true essence of the food?

I'm trying to think of a single vegetable I don't enjoy. There are some I haven't tried, but I can't think of one I dislike.

Maybe it's a matter of re-training your taste buds, away from restaurant fare and prepared foods, to getting fresh veggies and learning to cook them?

[JoanieL]

I'm not fond of green leafies, but I know that they are vital to my good health. I have one green smoothie daily; this one has berries, greens, almond milk and stevia or equal in it. If it doesn't look like I've gotten enough greens for the day, I either do another berry/greens smoothie, or just a green smoothie where I up the almond milk, no berries, and a tiny more stevia.

Grilled brussel sprouts are also yummy for some of us veggie averse folks.

A cold salad is one of my least favorite things. Solution: take everything you would have put in a cold salad (the veggies, and fruit; probably not a hard boiled egg), and saute it 'til wilted. A little balsamic on top, and something I don't like cold becomes something very palatable for me.

[anna5]

This blows my mind.

I literally cannot comprehend hating veggies. Maybe... badly prepared veggies?

Well, not all vegetables can be eaten raw. Are you sure that one can't find anything tastier than cooked broccoli, turnips, cauliflower?" I know, know, know "they are soooooo tasty when ... you don't know that you eat then - thank God for sauces, wines or whatever, but vegetables." Well, the question is whether they are as tasty as other "uncovered" foods. In my mind - no. Yes, the traditions are important and some traditions have high standards of taste as well as nutrition.

[Finnegans Wake]

Well, not all vegetables can be eaten raw. Are you sure that one can't find anything tastier than cooked broccoli, turnips, cauliflower?" I know, know, know "they are soooooo tasty when ... you don't know that you eat when - thank God for sauces, wines or whatever, but vegetables." Well, the question is whether they are as tasty as other "uncovered" foods. In my mind - no. Yes, the traditions are important and some traditions have high standards of taste as well as nutrition.

I never said to eat veggies raw; as to the rest of your post, I really have no idea what you are trying to say. Not to be snarky, but is English a second language? It almost seems as though you're translating thoughts, and something is lost in translation.