It’s one thing to live off a diet of pizza, chicken fingers, deep-fried-cheese anything, and pasta when you’re a child. As an adult, it’s another thing entirely. Some people just don’t grow out of their childhood pickiness when it comes to food. We’re not saying these tips are going to take you from mozzarella sticks to escargot, but with a little trial and error, you may find yourself getting a bit more experimental at the dinner table.
Incorporate Foods You Don’t Love
For example: you love spaghetti, but you hate broccoli. Let’s make that icky food a bit more enjoyable by cooking up some broccoli to add in your pasta sauce. Try ordering pizza (which you love) and getting a little adventurous with toppings like peppers, olives, sausage—the world is your oyster (just maybe don’t put oysters on pizza). The idea is that by adding something you’re skeptical about to something you already love, there’s a better chance of developing a taste for it.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again
Like we said, trial and error. Maybe you try a condiment or sauce that you really don’t like—try again with a different brand. Perhaps it just takes finding the right version for you and your tastes to open up your entire palate.
Set Goals
Whether it’s daily or weekly, set goals with yourself for trying new things. Find different ways to incorporate newness into your meals and really give it a fighting chance. You won’t love everything, but if you’re trying something new on a regular basis, you will absolutely start broadening your horizons in the real world of gastronomy.
Make Use of Your Community
Whether you live with a significant other, a friend, your family, or whoever you’re spending the majority of your time with—get them involved. If they know you’re working to become a more adventurous eater, they’ll help hold you accountable when cooking or eating out.
Crowd Source
Speaking of friends, they’re a great resource for advice, recipes, and finding more ways to incorporate foods and ingredients that you’re trying to add to your repertoire. Have an aversion to seafood? The right recipe will take the fishy to the fantastic. Learning how to cook and prepare foods in new ways makes it more enjoyable for your palette, so don’t be scared to ask for help.