Do you have picky eaters in your home (spouse, kids, etc.)? Are YOU a picky eater?
Not everyone is on board with kale salads, grilled salmon and egg white “muffins” for breakfast. But if you’re trying to lose weight by eating better, what can you do about meal times knowing that not everyone’s taste buds or preferences will agree with yours?
Picky Eaters, Breathe a Sigh of Relief
When it comes to healthy eating, one size does not fit all. The good news is that everyone can do it. All you need is a little creativity, planning and flexibility.
Healthy food doesn’t have to make anyone in your household feel deprived or starving. Wondering how you’ll make the best of both words? No matter who you’d label as a picky eater in your household, try these tips for expanding your horizons and seeing results on the scale.
Beat Blandness with Better Quality Food.
A lot of people complain that healthy food has no flavor. To be honest, the problem might have more to do with where you’re buying your groceries. The fresher, the better!
Instead of your big box grocery chain that gets swamped on weekends, try a local farmer’s market or mom and pop store. Then spice your dishes up with herbs and seasonings.
Experiment with Tasty Food Prep.
Put your thinking cap on and open your mind a little. If you don’t like a certain food, try preparing it a different way. Not a fan of leafy greens? Try wilting them in your favorite soups or skillet dishes. Bored with baked chicken? Coat strips of chicken in an egg white wash and apply a thin layer of rolled oats or ground nuts. Add new flavors that you’ve never tried before.
Also think about the cooking methods you commonly use. If you fry a lot of food, try switching to the oven or grill every once in a while. If you’re a big fan of microwave meals, try whipping up something similar on your stove top with a recipe in hand.
Browse Cookbooks and Social Media
If you need food inspiration, look to the pros. Sites like Pinterest and Facebook share tasty recipes for any kind of cuisine, especially those made for clean eaters. Look through your family cookbooks or scour through magazines in the checkout line or at your doctor’s office.
Deconstruct Your Favorite Dishes
Some of your favorite (not so healthy) dishes might have ingredients perfect for something else. If you love subs for example, try deconstructing this classic sandwich into a colorful stir fry. You can add lettuce or spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, banana peppers, onions and more.
Sub Some of Your Ingredients
Sometimes your favorite foods can taste remarkably similar with just a few ingredient swaps. Tacos, for instance, can be eaten with plain low-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Pasta can be swapped with zucchini or spaghetti squash noodles.
A Few Last-minute Tips:
- Add fruits and veggies to a low-cal, low-fat smoothie without added sugars
- Swap normal grains and enriched processed foods for whole grains
- Try different brands if a certain food doesn’t jive with your taste buds
- Start with small changes and gradually improve from there
- Make your own sauces, dressings and marinades
- If you’re trying a new food, see how a restaurant cooks it first
- Get in your kitchen and experiment if you’re out of options!
