some things i WILL eat: corn, noodles, chicken, frozen peas (must be frozen), mashed potatoes (must be smushed thin with frozen peas on top for a good ratio of mashed potatoes to peas, and the mashed potatoes must also be super smooth like store bought stuff. no hand mashed), raw peeled carrots (this is consumed quite slowly, and thus is inpractical for me to eat or snack on), corn dogs, hot dogs with bun, mac n cheese (the dryer and crunchyer the better. i am NOT a fan of liquidy overcheesy mac n cheese), scrambled eggs, fried ham, pbj (must use a spesific kind of bread [no seeds or other such chunks and i cut off the crust], smooth pb, and a spesific brand of jelly [jelly flavor is less important than the brand]), gala apples are good but texture varies too much. they gott be crisp. i was once eating them often but after biting into too many softer ones in a row i just... gave up (my grandpa suggests i am being too pickey about it). fruit in general is really good, but again the quality consistancy is dificult and adds an element of picking thru to find optimal ones for consumption. alfredo sauce is just about the only sauce i will consume, but only in small amounts. cheezy bread sticks are good bc there is no sauce and i can have just cheese and bacon. quesadilla (just tortilla and cheese, mabey some fried meat). lettus is consumable as long as it is the greenest bits but im not a fan on the texture of chewing it so i usualy avoid it. chicken noodle soup broth is good, and i love pearled barley in soup. maruchan is my fav brand for cup of noodles (other brands have too many green seasoning bits to pick away at). white rice is consumable and my family thinks i love it but in actuality i only love white rice in comparison to brown rice, which my mother loved to cook and i hated. potatoes are great. twice cooked with extra cheese and bacon, fried to a golden super crunch (i might only add salt if its not crunchy enough), and even just a plain baked potato is okay with some butter. but i do NOT like potato skins (also apple skins come to think, but that is less hated than potato skins). grilled cheese (must meet prev bread requirements and i also sometimes add fried meat). the third and only other sandwitch i will eat must meet bread requirements, as well as have 4 slices of fried spam with a fried egg inbetween. tacos i will eat with a hard shell, a light layer of refried beans, and absolutely stuffed with avacado. i will also eat avacado and refried beans with the right ratio of tortilla chips (simular to a tacos hard shell). red grapes are the best grapes. fish sticks, quish (no veggies or onions), plain and dry baconcheeseburger, dark turkey meat (white meat is okay), butterfly shrimp, yakisoba (no veggies), waffles and french toast (with syrup), cheese sticks (mozerella), cheddar cheese when warm and gooey,
some things i will NOT eat: blueberries and blackberries, pineapple, other veggies not mentioned in liked foods, all types of sauce and condements (except alfredo), orange chicken, pot stickers, anything spicey, pepper, tomatoes, brown and colored rice (also not a fan of the little green bits inside such food). eggs and cheese are not my fav combo (but i will eat omelets that are just egg cheese and meat). pie, pepperoni, yams, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, sea food,
^^^thats all to food i could come up with rn. ask if u wanna know if ill eat something else.
ive had depression ever since i could remember. i suspect my depression is the reason behind my absolute lack of executive function to make myself a proper nutritious meal. i know that proper meals are not to only way to insure proper nutrience, but im an ensanely pickey eater. and now that im finally freshly free from my narsisistic mother, i dont have to pick thru all my meals anymore - i can just order eat or make something with exactly only what i know i will like on/in it. but again, executive function to make food is next to none and im struggeling with the idea that one day i might faint or have some other sort of accident due to malnutrition, or even develop an eating disorder (if what i have right now doesnt qualify as one).
i see lots of easy microwave meals in the freezer isle at the store, but a lot of them have ingrediants in them i wont eat that i cant seperate from the rest of the food like hot pockets. my family is really conserned about my sugar intake, but honestly i just wanna make sure im getting the minimum amount of all nessisairy nutrients each day. i dont care much about the nutrients im eating too much of like sugar (bc thats a SURE way to develop an ed and i do not want that if i can help it)
Hello! Thank you for reaching out to Asking Jude.
I completely understand why you feel concerned about your eating habits and nutrition. It is great that you have a clear understanding of your food preferences. This is useful when making decisions about your diet and lets you enjoy the food you are eating. This understanding can also help you avoid certain foods and situations where you feel uneasy about things you do not want to eat.
It is great that you are doing what you can to better your eating habits, and you seem aware of your strengths and weaknesses. You mentioned that your experience with depression makes it hard to dedicate time to cooking or improving nutrient intake. Depression often affects appetite and makes it challenging to maintain a healthy diet. While it is good that you are aware of the potential risks of an inbalanced diet, it can be tough to find convenient, enjoyable meals that provide adequate nutrients. That being said, a balanced diet can have a positive impact on your mood and well-being. This article explains how food can affect our mental health and provides diet recommendations tailored to different mental health needs: https://tinyurl.com/34z33d53. Here, you’ll find a few tips on making healthy eating easier while dealing with depression: https://tinyurl.com/2p9fnesu.
One way to handle a lack of motivation is to start with small, manageable steps. You might try searching for simple recipes with ingredients you like; you can do this on sites like Google or Pinterest. Another way to ensure that you are eating balanced meals is to meal prep. Find a time during the week where you can focus on planning your meals. Start with small recipes with simple ingredients such as pre-cut vegetables and fruits. Try making this time an enjoyable experience by inviting a friend or listening to music. This might help boost motivation and can better your relationship with food. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to meal prep if this is something you are interested in: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-meal-prep. This article also provides tips on how to meal prep for picky eaters: https://mealprepify.com/how-to-meal-prep-for-picky-eaters/.
If meal prepping does not fit with your lifestyle, you could try slightly altering your current foods. Regarding microwave meals, you can look for options with fewer ingredients or that you can customize with frozen vegetables, herbs, instant rice/potatoes, etc. Look for shortcuts that can make cooking and eating easier. Here are a few microwave-friendly recipes: https://tinyurl.com/2yw6h2p6.
You mentioned that texture is an issue for you. Having an aversion to certain textures is common. There are options that might help you overcome this issue with practice. Try experimenting with different cooking methods to see if they can make the texture more appealing. Since the texture of certain fruits is something you find unappetizing, maybe try making smoothies to change the texture completely. You might also find that using different herbs or spices can make a difference in how you perceive the texture of a particular food. By focusing on enjoying the foods you love and experimenting with new options, you can develop a healthier relationship with food and find a way of eating that works for you. Building a healthy relationship with food is essential, and that includes finding a balance between enjoying the foods you love and making choices that support your overall health.
It is understandable that you may not want to obsess over your nutrient intake or risk developing an eating disorder. If sugar intake or nutrient balance is a problem, remember that everything should be enjoyed in moderation. You do not have to completely remove enjoyable foods, like sugary snacks, from your diet, but you can enjoy them in combination with healthier options. A balanced diet is about finding a healthy relationship with food, and not just about following strict rules.
It can be hard to break out of habits, but with time and practice, it is possible. It is okay to experience setbacks along the way. If your eating habits become too stressful, do not hesitate to reach out to a trained professional, such as a dietitian or therapist, who can provide specific guidance. On this website, you can find registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals, as well as educational resources and tips for healthy eating:
https://www.eatright.org. This organization offers information on healthy eating choices and provides a chat feature where you can ask questions:
https://www.nutrition.gov. You can also use this tool to plan and portion meals:
https://www.myplate.gov.
If you are worried about developing or are already experiencing disordered eating, this website provides a list of hotlines and resources available to those who struggle with eating disorders:
https://tinyurl.com/2p963wht.
I hope you find these resources helpful. Always remember change takes time, and try to embrace the change that comes into your life. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Best of luck, and always be kind to yourself!
Mikayla
Hello there, @Savannah Blackwell ! Thank you for reaching out to us. One of our peer counsellors, Mikayla, will be getting back to you shortly. I hope you're staying strong for us despite how difficult it must be sometimes. You'll hear from us soon, so stay strong!