I remember being a very picky eater, sliding aside certain items off my plate or picking/scooping out vegetables or condiments on my sandwiches. A cupcake’s icing and frosting tasted better to me than the actual cake itself; I also had a huge food aversion to fruits, especially citrus fruits. But at 22, my taste buds have become developed and expanded—thank goodness. Foods that were a “yuck” turned into a “yum,” cliché as it sounds. I resisted eating so many foods, and here are a few:

1. Avocado

I know, I know. Californians would probably have hated me for this. As a kid, I thought avocados had a weird, gunky texture, and that it didn’t taste like anything. I didn’t understand how people thought avocados were the best thing ever, and why on earth they would add them onto anything edible. The green mush looked so unappealing to me. But now, I can finally say I’m a true Californian and love avocados on most (but probably not all) savory foods. Avocados are highly satisfying and nutritious, and totally bring to life sandwiches, salads, burgers, and burritos to name a few. And let’s not forget the legendary guacamole we love to spend extra for at Chipotle.

2. Sushi

Anything raw sounded so gross to me, and sushi was no exception. When I ate sushi for the first time, I thought it was too exotic even though I’ve probably eaten that type of fish before. The seaweed also had a smelly, overpoweringly fishy essence, so I had good reasons to say “no” to this. As much as other people still dislike it for its concept (and probably taste), sushi became one of my favorite foods. The sweet vinegared rice totally complements the otherwise bland fish and vegetables. Sushi is fresh, comforting, and incredibly versatile, as it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are also teriyaki, tempura, and vegetable sushi roll versions if you still prefer your foods cooked. My personal favorite type of sushi is chirashi, a scattered version of the more popular rolls and nigiri (hand-pressed) sushi.

3. Dark Chocolate

At first, dark chocolate tasted too bitter and strong; I wanted to spit it out when I bit into a piece for the first time. I got so used to milk chocolate that I thought dark chocolate wasn’t processed enough. Yeah, I was a weird kid, and I totally missed out on how amazing dark chocolate is. If I really do have to choose a “favorite food,” it’ll be this, or chocolate in general. I grew accustomed to dark chocolate’s bitterness/semi-sweetness, and can eat it every day if I choose to. Dark chocolate-covered almonds sound so good right now.

4. Watermelon

As I’ve mentioned, I had a fruit aversion when I was a kid. Watermelon was one of the many, many fruits my parents forced me to eat. I always declined. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen anymore; I’d be happy to take a piece of watermelon whenever someone offers. Watermelon is very refreshing, sweet, and a great palate cleanser. During summer, watermelon is one of my go-to snacks. Sure, it’s a popular flavoring for candies and chewing gum, but watermelon is also very healthy. I’ve recently learned plain watermelon juice prevents soreness after exercise. Take that, Robeks!

5. Mustard

I almost gagged when I first tried mustard; the bitterness and slight spiciness of the famous yellow condiment were too overpowering for my limited palate. When I used to love ordering Burger King’s cheeseburgers, I’ve always wanted them to hold the mustard. Mustard is actually a great condiment; it sharpens the flavor of any entrée. I honestly prefer mustard to ketchup, and its dirty yellow color doesn’t bother me as much as before. My favorite kind of mustard is Dijon mustard—hail to the French people.

6. Tofu

I’m pretty sure a lot of kids agreed with me on this. When I ate this for the first time, I thought I was eating fake meat or, more so, wannabe meat. The spongey, chewy texture didn’t appeal to me, and the taste was drier than a sandbox. I also watched an episode of PBS Kid’s “Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat,” where furry Sagwa gagged at stinky tofu; unfortunately, this was my assumption of all types of tofu. But good thing I came to appreciate tofu later on.When tofu is seasoned well, it’s off the hook! Tofu goes well with soups, stir-fry dishes, and even wraps. I also like that it’s cheaper than meat.

7. Peanut Butter

I didn’t necessarily dislike peanut butter—I was just allergic to peanuts for a while. My mouth would swell after I ate them. When my allergy went away, peanut butter was just “OK” to me, nothing too special. Little did I know how great this beloved sandwich spread tastes in other foods as well, like celery, apples, and even Oreos (I learned this from ‘The Parent Trap”).! I read a moronic YouTube comment claiming that Nutella has “killed” peanut butter in terms of sales. Uh, no. As much as I love Nutella, it’s not as nutritious or as ubiquitous as peanut butter; health-conscious folks would much prefer to buy peanut butter. It is jelly’s BFF, too.

8. Tomatoes

bark when I was a kid; they were one of the many foods I slid aside on my

plate. Their squishiness and seediness had also been a major no no to me. Tomatoes

are now a must have on my salads and sandwiches—they give such a sweet touch!

Tomato juice, tomato soup, give me all! And let’s not forget the pizza sauce.

9. Oatmeal

My grandparents forced me to eat oatmeal, and as much as I tried to finish it, I couldn’t. Not even milk and sugar took away the horrible grainy taste of oatmeal. I also thought oatmeal raisin cookies were chocolate chip’s lame cousin. Now, all I want for a quick breakfast is oatmeal; it keeps me full and energized throughout the day. I prefer oatmeal to cereal to be brutally honest. It tastes incredible with strawberries, nuts, or brown sugar. Oh yeah, I’ve also changed my mind and think that oatmeal raisin cookies are bomb.

10. Mint with Chocolate

Toothpaste. “Sugar-free” gum. Mouthwash. Those were all I thought associated with mint, and mint being paired up with chocolate felt like J. Lo and Ralph Fiennes in “Maid in Manhattan”—a bad chemistry. Mint chip ice cream was also my least favorite flavor. But after eating Thin Mints for the first time, mint with chocolate proved me wrong. It’s honestly one of the best, most unique flavor combo. Thank you, Girl Scouts.

Which foods did you find terrible as a kid? Comment below!