“What would you like to eat?” and “What do you have a taste for?” These are two of the most cringe-worthy questions anyone can ask a picky eater. Unfortunately, as a picky eater, most of those around me try to cater to my pickiness by letting me choose what to eat—but this is no luxury, for me or you.
I’m sure you can ask anyone in my family who the pickiest eater is and all of them would point straight to me. I don’t have the most sophisticated of palates and I always wince at the thought of tasting or trying new foods, which makes eating out a nightmare. For those of you like me, I’m sure you can relate.
Yes, I am probably that girl who most restaurant servers dread having sit in their section, but it isn’t entirely my fault. Restaurants make it so difficult these days for us picky eaters. More often than not, it is easier for me to give you a list of what I do want on my sandwich than what I don't want on it—and why does everything have to be spicy all of a sudden?
Don’t get me started on the stress brought on by ethnic cuisines and restaurants—they are just way too much for a picky eater to handle. I’ll take Taco Bell and Panda Express, please!
For those who live in a house with family members who are big into fitness and eating healthy at all times like I do, it's even worse! Don’t get me wrong, I am all for those who practice a healthy lifestyle through fitness and eating properly, it’s just not my forte. I just can’t seem to escape the struggle of choosing between foods that I have never even heard of before. I’m sorry, but no, I don’t want to try your low-fat, dark chocolate protein waffles with organic agave (whatever the hell that is) substituting for syrup.
Food can really be such a nightmare at times. But dealing with a picky eater really isn’t as difficult as some may think!
More often than not, us picky eaters have our main foods or dishes that we enjoy and we don’t stray too far away from them; we sure do like our routines. I can personally eat the same thing for breakfast every day (bagel with cream cheese) and rotate my lunches and dinners between three or four other choices and be completely content with my decisions in doing so.
Remember, when dealing with a picky eater, there really isn’t all that much that you have to deal with. It may not be much, but you know exactly what your picky eater sibling, friend or significant other likes or dislikes when it comes to food. You can never go wrong.
Most importantly, picky eaters enjoy their food and can survive off of it. Yes, I eat salad for lunch nearly every day when I am in college and yes, the woman who rings me up every day knows exactly what I do and don’t want in it. (I thank you for that, Lisa, you’ve made ordering such a breeze for a picky eater like myself.) Many of my friends have jokingly threatened to no longer associate themselves with me when they hear I don't eat potatoes, bacon or ice-cream. But hey, I eat my salads every day and I thoroughly enjoy them every time.
My advice to all the picky eaters: own it. Food can be difficult in this world. So, eat those few foods that you know you enjoy and don’t be sorry if you don’t like certain foods that your friends or family members like. You didn't chose the picky eater life, the picky eater life chose you.
