My favorite food group used to be chocolate. No kidding. A day without chocolate was like a day that had gone wrong. And since I didn’t want any day to go wrong, I made sure to eat way more chocolate than is considered healthy. Way more.
My least favorite food group used to be vegetables. If I ate a green bean or two during the week then I thought I was doing really well.
I hated:
yogurt
broccoli (well, most veggies)
brown rice
whole wheat bread
baked chicken
cheese (unless it was on nachos)
nuts (except chocolate covered peanuts)
As I started going down my weight loss path my initial concern was the almighty scale. Right or wrong it’s how I FELT. Fortunately, as the scale cooperated and I dropped some pounds, I began to realize that losing numbers on the scale was great, but that my journey really wouldn’t be a true lifestyle change unless I learned to eat, enjoy, and prepare healthier foods.
At first, I concentrated on modifying some of our family’s favorite recipes in order to make them lower in calories and healthier all the way around. By the time I reached my goal weight I had really embraced the idea of healthy cooking and healthy snacking, but there were still a lot of healthy foods I hadn’t tried – like those on my list above.
Even though I wasn’t embracing every healthy food known to man all at one time, over the years I began to move in a positive direction. I’m not sure if I was just afraid to try some unfamiliar foods, or if I had a bad experience with those foods during my childhood. But in either case, I had a mental block against some of them. I started making a concerted effort to try some new healthier foods and to my surprise I liked them.
One really recent example is Greek yogurt. I had never been a fan of yogurt before – probably because I’m not a big fan of milk – but I knew that Greek yogurt was a really good source of protein and calcium, so I bought a cup of it. At first my lips curled up and I just couldn’t eat more than a spoonful. It was a lot more tangy than the Yoplait yogurt I had been trying to eat. But I persevered and now I have a cup of Greek yogurt almost every day. I still can’t do it plain – but I’m going to keep trying! I have to confess I still haven’t tried brussel sprouts though. . .
As you’ve been on your own journey towards healthy livng are there foods that you eat now that you couldn’t imagine enjoying before? I know there have been for me! Diane
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My tastes have completely changed over the years, as everyone’s does that over time. I still love chocolate, but I’m much more adventurous in what I will eat and I’m a huge fan of veggies now. I’ve even spent time acting like a vegetarian, even though in high school when I gained most of my weight I NEVER would have done that. So over time the changes have slowly happened. I’ve also gone from eating bland food to trying new things and even blogging about it. (I have a new food blog: http://amerrylife.com/food)
Merry Mary´s last blog ..Biking Around Waiheke Island
Well, I still love chocolate! But I have tried a lot of foods that I just had not eaten before. Such as salmon and tilapia, and found that I loved them. Also buy more foods that I wouldn’t bother with before like fresh fruit and veggies. Discovered pomegranate.
Laura Jane´s last blog ..Weigh-in Results!
LOL! Love your perseverance with the Greek Yogurt!
I too am a veggie convert. My mom used to overcook them growing up. Yuk! Plus who likes rutabaga or……I can’t even spell it close enough for spell check! Double Yuk!
Today, I love my veggies fresh! And I aim towards the recommended 5-6 fruits and veggies/day.
Mia
I thought I was the only one who had never tried brussel sprouts! I think I may get some now, and roast them, because I have discovered that I like roasted veggies the best. My list would include spaghetti squash!
My dietary intake has ALWAYS been very wide and healthy, but since beginning this journey a few foods have become absolutely distasteful to me- jello, flavored yogurt , bologna, fried chicken , icing and boxed cake mix. I had never tried roast broccoli or roast Brussels sprouts before and now they are my chosen way of preparation. My son’s tastes however have been completely and totally changed.He has gone from eating nothing but plain pasta to actually REQUESTING foods like hummus, asparagus with balsamic vinegar and a lot more.
Diane´s last blog ..A brush with stomach stapling
What I have been noticing most is that I don’t need things to be as sweet as I used to. I have completely weaned myself from Splenda and now find that I don’t need things like coffee or tea to be sweetened. I’m even learning to love plain greek yogurt!
Marisa (Loser For Life)´s last blog ..I Am Quitting
My tastes have changed for sure. I still crave some of the old things though, but I sure do enjoy fresh, lightly cooked or even raw, vegetables.
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..The Snow Finally Arrived
Oh my goodness I love Greek yogurt now! I did not know about it until I started looking around in the blogging community and so many people recommended it
I hope tat you have a great night!
Staci´s last blog ..Joubert Syndrome and Weekly Schedule
I’ve always enjoyed most foods, but I notice now that I don’t enjoy the taste of greasy foods like potato chips and sweets are often too sweet for me. I wish I could say chocolate wasn’t still my favorite food group though!
karen@fitnessjourney´s last blog ..What Kind of Lump is It?
I had a bad time with chocolate upsetting my stomach and I found that being away from it for a few years made my cravings for it go away. If it makes you throw up, you don’t want it anymore.
One of the things I have a real aversion for is hard boiled eggs. I just can’t see myself going there. Other than that, my tastes have definitely changed and I find myself looking forward to a fruit snack as much as I used to look forward to junk food. I even like Brussel sprouts. If they are cooked right with a little lemon, they are delicious, but if you feel about them as I feel about eggs, I see your point.
Well, yes they have! I have always avoided Brussels sprouts! Last week, I stopped by a local farm and, as I had never seen them growing on the branch, I figured, what the heck! I can’t say I loved them, but not too bad, and I will continue to get them fresh this way. Now I believe anything is possible
PS They are training a new editor at Calorielab, so my column will be on a short break
OMG, my tastes have totally changed & even in the past 10 years too! I constantly keep trying new things & they are healthy foods! Amazing how our taste buds change & actually start liking the healthy stuff more! Well, except for my beloved cookies!
When I was young & heavy, it was all about the sweets!
PS: Yes, comment luv seems to be stuck in 1 mode…. just crazy!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Tuesday at the Gym & My Cardio Workout
I’m a stubborn one, so no. Noe forevah to the b sprouts, especially. LOL
Sunny´s last blog ..Obsession
It’s crazy how much my palate has changed during the past few years. I’m a real food snob now. I like fresh, local, in-season ingredients in my food. I used to pretty much live on frozen and boxed meals, however. Generally my favorites were ramen soup, fried chicken, pizza, cheese, cheese, more cheese, ice cream.. Just cheap, unhealthy, overprocessed food.
With weight loss I’ve learned to favor brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, greens, greens, and more greens (I try to add something green to most meals), olive oil instead of margarine or butter, whole grain and preferably hearty breads, fiber-rich cereal, etc. I don’t think I ever eat a meal that doesn’t have some sort of fruit or vegetable in it, which is bizarre considering the amount of pasta and tuna casseroles I ate at my heaviest. I’m at a point where I don’t even crave simple carbs – I’d much prefer getting more bang for my buck with food.
Jenelle @ Appilogue´s last blog ..Day 30: Completion
I’m so encouraged to hear that taste buds can change. I needed to hear that. And it’s nice to know it can be a gradual, moving-in-the-right-direction kind of thing and still happen.
I am beginning to embrace more veggies and actually prefer brown rice over white now (used to be reversed). I just thought I was cooking it better.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..Glucose, Fructose, and Sucrose
Yes! This is so true for me. I started out by trying one new food each week. (Mangos was a big surprise) and then moved to trying new ways with some old favorites (Cauliflower with just a little garlic salt) The biggest change was chicken. For years, I stayed away from it. Just a beef girl. Now, I enjoy it and enjoy trying new recipes. My dislike came from a couple of food memories surrounding chicken. Sounds funny as I write it but it is so true.
Jules – Big Girl Bombshell´s last blog ..Are you Living Authentically?
YEP! My tastes have definitely changed…I’d like to think for the better.
Trish @IamSucceeding´s last blog ..Nacho Good
I still like most of the things I used to like, though some of the more outrageous ones I don’t eat anymore, mostly because they are just too heavy and I don’t feel well. Such as the frozen fried chicken that I ate all the time growing up, since I didn’t know how to cook, and nobody fed me. Or the Campbells soup, same thing. I am trying to like yogurt, and I tolerate a bit (unsweetened) mixed with a mini-banana and berries if I have them. May never like, really. I tried to eat some of my mom’s yogurt last time I saw them, it was disgustingly sweet, there was no way I was gagging that down. 2nd ingredient: HFCS. My mom doesn’t look at labels, at least not on her own food. I like brussel sprouts, bought some, will roast them soon. These are one of those things that can be super-tasty or horrendous, depending on cooking technique.
The one weird change is that many things are becoming too sweet. Last time I tried to eat a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, it tasted awful. Just yesterday, I tried to eat one of those mini-brownies, same thing. Two mini-bites, and I just couldn’t finish the other half.
I still do like sweet food, and heavy food, but the sweet needs to be less sweet, and the heavy needs to be diluted. I can’t eat three pieces of pizza, as I would fall immediately asleep and feel like a bump on a log, but I love a slice, maybe two if really hungry, with a big salad occasionally.
julie´s last blog ..Thanks. Please shut up now.
I just can’t appreciate brown rice so I tend to go with wild rice or black rice which I do like. But brussel sprouts are one of my all time favs – as long as they’re roasted with a little olive oil, sea salt and ground pepper. Not at all like the gross boiled ones my mother made when I was a kid! I cut off the ends (since I get them in the store and they’re not as fresh as they are from the farm stand) and split them in half if they’re bigger than 3/4 inch. The little leaves that fall off as you’re roasting them are better than potato chips. One of these days I’m going to try to cut them apart completely and have a whole serving of crunchy leaves. Yum!
I hated every type of fish growing up, but now I love to try new ones. I’m still not a fan of anything too fishy tasting, but since 2004 I’ve learned to love salmon, tilapia, halibut, red snapper, shrimp, scallops, and more!
Tracey @ I’m Not Superhuman´s last blog ..Who Are Your Role Models?
Brussel sprouts are the best! I used to hate apples, and now I eat one almost every day
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..Lost Dinner and Dessert
Just having healthy snacks is pretty new to me. In the past, snacks meant: crackers, cookies, chips, candy, etc.
Now, a snack is: some yogurt, hummus with veggies, celery and peanut butter, fruit.
Much better!
Jenn @ Watch My Butt Shrink!´s last blog ..My thoughts on the South Beach Diet so far
Believe it or not i used to hate avocado’s!! Now i love avocado’s and sometimes eat them every day
suzanne´s last blog ..Now that was fun
Hey Diane!! Great post. So many people can relate to you! For me, I grew up having to eat veggies and stuff
My mom was very good about that! When I got a older and on my own, I wanted sweets, etc. Emotional eating was a huge problem for me. And usually when you’re emotinoal, you don’t go for the brocolli, hehe 
My journal with fitness and health is going well now becasue I’m staying consistent and I actually want to eat that good stuff 
I try to have veggies all throughout the day. I do allow some sweets but all in small proportion! Thanks for sharing!
Jen
Jen-JensFitnessTips.com´s last blog ..Tip #41: Glute Lift
Yes, my tastes have changed, or I should say my horizons have broadened. I haven’t quit liking the high-fat, high-sugar foods, but I have really come to enjoy more fresh fruits and veggies.
I often thought that the whole process (that you described) could be charted out like a science formula.
I think we all go through similar stages. Not exactly the same – but the same general process of changing from what we used to do.
I think there is the healthy version of the ‘old food’ stage. Often this involves things like sugarfree pudding or jello or Lean Cuisine or healthiER crackers or Ezekiel bread.
And then the cleaner food stage. A movement toward more whole foods.
And the fine tuning cleaner food stage. More veggies.
And then often a change in philosophy. By the time many of us get to maintenance, we have often changed major parts of our food plans (like becoming a vegetarian or dropping processed or dropping artifical sweetners, etc.) not things that are directly related to weight loss, but more directions we have gone in order to eat healthier.
vickie´s last blog ..Paula
Oh my gosh, YES! Of course, bariatric patients routinely go through radical taste changes after surgery (and I was no exception), but I was totally surprised by what developed. I now LOVE — did I say LOVE? L-O-V-E asparagus. Can’t get enough of it…like crack. Also, I’m with you on the Greek Yogurt thing. Literally every day. Amazing stuff and SO versatile! I also really enjoy some fish now, especially mahi mahi, halibut and FRESH salmon (when done properly). Sadly, I no longer tolerate ANY beef, chicken, pork, shell fish/crustaceans. Craziness, I tell you, but that’s okay. You get really creative when you can’t stomach a lot of normal things.
Cari (aka Gastric Bypass Barbie)´s last blog ..Adam & Eve, Retreats & Brownies
Definitely! I didn’t eat much of anything before, but now i’ve tried and am cooking with so many peppers and things like quinoa and chicken sausage. It’s very exciting to try new things – and love them!
fittingbackin´s last blog ..Busy Day, New Recipe, New Favorite Snack!
Try the brussel sprouts! I had never had them, but always assumed they were icky because they’re one of the foods that people always joke about. My hubby & I have been trying a new veggie every week since New Year’s, and we discoverer that we both love them! I just steam them & eat them plain – mmm mmm. We also discovered that we love Kale (sauteed with some evoo, garlic & lemon juice) and butternut squash (cut and baked).
My tastes bud have turned a 180 since I started eating healthier! I have found a LOVE for artichokes (who knew!), spinich raw and cooked, lemons (I squeez and zest them in everything now!), Roma tomatoes, Sweet potatoes!
I almost tried brussel sprouts last week after seeing someone on a blog roast them…maybe that will be the thing I try next week
(my blog is showing yesterdays post in this entry…should show hill workout lol)
Brenda´s last blog ..eating with my eyes
My taste in food has definitely changed. I’ve gone from eating white rice (with butter and sugar — I know, ugh) to brown rice. I can also eat broccoli w/o gagging.
My tastes have changed when it comes to meat and dairy. I cut out dairy completely and my son and I no longer have stomach issues on an almost daily basis. Chicken and seafood are about the only meat we consume, too. Red meat is a rarity usually reserved for family dinners away from home. And instead of purchasing chips, cookies, crackers, sugared cereal, frozen entrees, frozen appetizers, and fruit snacks, we buy fresh produce. It’s been a complete 180 in the Erin Takes Control kitchen!
Erin´s last blog ..Free the Wookiees!
Absolutely!
Not only have I become much more sensitive to natural sweetness in things (no one would have convinced me cabbage had a sweet taste a year ago) but also salty.
I’ve found myself getting away from the creamy (even fat free) dressings because they seem too strong for salad so I use them once in a while to dip raw veggies or add a smidge to wrap. Otherwise I stick with my olive oil based balsamic or greek dressings.
A note on brussel sprouts – if you decide to try them, you might want to give roasting a try. Just like you would root veggies, just give them a very light drizzle of oil & maybe a little sea salt (I like to add a little crushed red pepper to have the hot/salt/slight sweet combo).
Have a great week!
Lynn
Lynn @ ActualScale´s last blog ..Exercising in the dark isn’t quite whistling in the dark.
I think I’ve always liked everything, sadly! BUT my tastes have changed. I used to always go for sweets and now I like more nutrient-dense things like meals and entrees. While I still love the sweets, they’re not what I crave and go to first.
Nicole, RD´s last blog ..Dun, dun, dun…Larabar winners revealed!
Question- I actually have a cup of Greek yogurt in my fridge but I haven’t tried it yet because I’ve been too afraid! lol What do you suggest I put in it? (If possible, could you reply as a comment on my blog?) Thx! Great post
Tiffany´s last blog ..Day #35: Then and Now: Food
I’ve tried brussel sprouts. Trust me, you’re not missing anything. Blech!!
Jill´s last blog ..WGOL
Can’t say my taste has changed. I’ve always eaten healthy most of the times. Reason I gained is because of snacking and lack of exercise.
I’ve always loved vegetables.
The only thing what has changed is that I eat things now which I didn’t like when I was younger simply because I tried it once and it wasn’t bad taste at all
Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Tuesday February 2th 2010
I grew up on baked goods, casseroles, and Jell-o salad. It was rare we had salad, and though we had fruits and vegetables every day we had about a serving of each. They were too expensive. I never tasted butter because we lived on margarine and Crisco.
Now I eat romaine always, Boston leaf, d’anjou pears, pink ladies, avocado, garlic, red onion, olive oil, black beans, pinto beans, whole wheat pasta, and more. It tastes great!
JourneyBeyondSurvival´s last blog ..Crackdown or Crackup?
I am amazed by how much I love tofu (just the idea of it used to gross me out) and all things with beans and lentils – yum yum. I have also learned to appreciate things with sea veggies like nori and arame.
Amy´s last blog ..Lunch date
I recently tried Brussel sprouts for the first time and LOVED them! I roasted them in the oven. You should try them!
When I read you posts, I feel like I used to be who you used to be. I can relate so much.
Alissa´s last blog ..Weigh In Day
Chocolate is still a fave, if in much smaller quantities.
Whole grains are probably my biggest acquired taste. I’m learning to pair them with foods and seasonings that enhance them vs. trying to cover up the taste, like I did before.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Fight Those Moody Blues with Food
I have been really focused on eating new things this past year. I have found that I LOVE cooked greens (kale, spinach, bok choy, swiss chard), beets, and beans. It is surprising to me. The farmers market is such an adventure I try new things every time I go.
Great timing with this post! I am going to be writing on a similar topic tonight! Yes, my tastes have DEFINITELY changed; unbelievably so, in my opinion. The most recent things I have tried and enjoyed that I used to absolutley detest are fish and grapefruit.
266´s last blog ..Fake It Till You Make It
Oh for sure! My taste has evolved as I get older (and wiser with my food options
) I lean toward more fresher foods. And most of the things I enjoy eating now, I HATED as a child/teen. Only thing I really can’t do is eggplant and beets….bring on everything else!
Well, that’s hopeful. I, actually, see the same progression you listed happening with me now–sort of. Only a little on modifying favorite dishes in that I won’t use fake food to substitute for things like butter and sugar and cream, but I have included many, many more servings of veggies and am finding that I do like them better than I had before. Ifeel progress.
Deb
DebWillbethin´s last blog ..A Visual of Victory
“Unfortunately” no. I’ve always liked a wide variety of healthy foods.
NewMe´s last blog ..Thank You, Dr. Oz
I have tried such new foods since embarking on this journey, it’s been awesome. The biggest food that I hated before and love now is squash (fall and winter squash-still no summer squash!)
Mackattack (Beth)´s last blog ..Running Fool
I still love chocolate, but usually go for the very dark kind now. No more eating an entire big bag of peanut m and m’s or hershey’s kisses in a day or two. I still like both of these, but rarely let myself have them. it is still hard for me to be moderate with those. For some reason, I can have a piece of dark chocolate and not have to eat the entire bar. You might want to try brussel sprouts roasted in the oven. I cut them in half and toss them with some olive oil, salt and pepper. They come out sweet and yummy. I can’t stand mushy brussel sprouts and thought I hated them before trying them this way. Now I really like em…:-)
Kat´s last blog ..Lulu update
I’ve always hated…HATED…brussell sprouts. Bitter little things. But Pam taught me to roast them, which you can also do to radishes, and it mysteriously and magically takes the bitterness away!! If you want to make the sprouts even better, toss them with just a little brown sugar splenda towards the end of cooking. Dwayne’s mom served them this way at Thanksgiving and I just could not believe how much I enjoyed them. I raved about them so much, that she sent the leftover sprouts home with me and ate them all up! You MUST try them roasted….and give the roasted radishes a whirl too! You’ll be pleasantly surprised…I promise you.
tammy ortagus´s last blog ..My Spark Was Extinguished Tonight
I have always liked all kinds of food. I have loved “good” foods, but I also liked any other foods.
Yesterday I had a very important day at work. For me, it was a “pause day” I needed to focus on what I was doing and, for a day, I didn’t thought about what I was eating. I know it’s not good, but that was a very important day, such as the day you get married or something like this.
In the morning, I went to the bar and eat a croissant. Mmm… I didn’t liked it so much! Then, after all the things, we prepared some food and I ate some cheese. I hadn’t eat cheese for months: I always eat low fat milk, yogurts and cheese. I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat what I have taken: just a little slice of cheese. I found it… fat! And I had liked before!
And in the dinner, I could had some chocolate… and I said no! Not because of the calories. Because I didn’t want it!
So, I think that yes. My tastes have changed a lot!