Picky eaters studied...

[Bobbie Ireland]

This is so totally OT... but I still found it fascinating. To the foods mentioned, I would add the evil Brussels sprout. Cannot believe it was not the first thing mentioned!

From the BBC today...

Slainte!

Bobbie



How many people can't stand the texture of fish, can only stomach grilled chicken or refuse to eat their vegetables?

Scientists at Duke University in North Carolina are compiling the first global registry of "picky eaters" in the hope of discovering why some people have trouble with food.

They believe it may help find a genetic reason for some eaters' intense dislike of certain foods, like broccoli, or beans with a "fuzzy" texture. They note some eaters' pickiness is so deep-seated it interferes with their jobs, their relationships and their social lives.

"This is an area that is vastly under-explored," says Dr Nancy Zucker, director of the Duke University Center for Eating Disorders.

"People think this is something you choose, but I don't have a choice," says picky eater Heather Hill. "We have no idea how prevalent it is and how it affects people's lives."

The findings have given heart to picky eaters who say they are not taken seriously because most omnivores consider their fussiness a choice or a childish habit, not a medical condition.

Neither is picky eating socially acceptable, in the way that vegetarianism or other voluntary diets are.

"The worst thing about being a picky eater is other people," says Rhonda West of Virginia. "They're just mean. It starts with your family thinking you're doing this on purpose, that you're trying to gain attention or just being a difficult child - but it's none of the above. They're asking us to do something that's equivalent to eating dirt every day."

Ms West, 42, says she began rejecting food as an infant, refusing to breast feed or accept substitutes. As an adult she only eats fruit, white rice swallowed whole because she doesn't like the texture, French fries, and plain meat. Texture is just as important to me as taste, because if something is slimy, like pasta or sea food it sends my senses to the moon," Ms West says.

"Tomatoes look good but I can't get past the squishiness. It's like biting into a big fat maggot."

Eating pasta is like "having a live worm in your mouth", she says.

Research into obesity, food cravings and how people perceive different tastes has raised the possibility that genetics are responsible for picky eaters' finicky tastes.

Professor Beverley Tepper, of Rutgers University in New Jersey, is part of a group researching why people react differently to chemical compounds in food. She says the ability to detect bitterness is inherited and contributes to people's preferences for some foods rather than others.

"Taste differences are a combination of genetics and personal characteristics, but there are other variables - some of it might be psychological."

"It's hard to accept this about myself," says James Matta of his food preferences "Maybe there are genes out there that cause picky eating. We don't know yet."

Ms West is convinced she was born with her food preferences, although she says they were compounded by constant childhood battles with her parents, who tried to force her to eat foods she didn't like.

Jenny Nikolaisen of Virginia also believes genetics play a role because she comes from a long line of picky eaters. For the most part, she eats only plain meat and potatoes, baked or fried, and has the same meal of hamburger and chips for lunch virtually every day.

"A lot of times when I try something new, it causes me to gag," says Ms Nikolaisen, 34, adding that at times she can talk herself into eating foods not on her usual menu.

"I tried broccoli once and it felt like little trees in my mouth," she says...

[Donna]

I would add the evil Brussels sprout. Cannot believe it was not the first thing mentioned!

Brussel Sprouts are 1 of my favorite veggies. I  them.

[Patti from Kentucky]

My sister's long-time boyfriend is one of the severe cases...not much he will eat at all.  So for the last few years we haven't gotten to serve anything fancy; no more eggplant parmesan, cheese fondue, eggs benedict...now when the family comes over we grill burgers and hot dogs and serve potato chips.  Fruit salad he'll eat, but no veggies.  We usually toss in a salad or veggie for the rest of the family.

Dean insists that we shouldn't plan around him, but it's hard to have a family gathering where he doesn't eat anything.  Benefit is that menu planning is much simpler than it used to be!

[valhalla]

I would add the evil Brussels sprout. Cannot believe it was not the first thing mentioned!

Brussel Sprouts are 1 of my favorite veggies. I  them.

Rich loves them, I tolerate them, but love cooked cabbage and he hates it - loves it raw.  I've decided that I no longer like the crust on bread.  Began with whole wheat.  Too "wheaty", so i have regressed to a 6-year old and cute the crust off my sandwich bread!  I don't have to eat it and no one can make me eat it!   

[MAK]

Gee my problem is the opposite. I'll eat pretty much anything, which I think may be genetic too, or maybe I'm just a little piggy!

[Shaky]

I like Darwin's view of picky eaters.

[valhalla]

I like Darwin's view of picky eaters.

And That would be???

[Shaky]

Survival of the fittest. Eat what is there, or you're history.

[valhalla]

Survival of the fittest. Eat what is there, or you're history.

You are what you eat - I haven't sprouted hooves or feathers yet, but I do have a nice set of ....
CLAWS!

[MAK]

 

[Shaky]

Survival of the fittest. Eat what is there, or you're history.

You are what you eat - I haven't sprouted hooves or feathers yet, but I do have a nice set of ....
CLAWS!

Indeed, although not literally. This, however, pertains more to the type of picky eater whose diet consists mostly of fat and sugar, i.e. junk food.

Good eating habits greatly contribute to good health and a longer lifespan -- two crucial factors in ensuring the passing of your genes.

In simplistic terms, if you eat junk, you end up with expensive health problems and a premature death. If you eat a balanced diet, you live longer and have more time and money to spend on raising your kids and grandkids.

Survival of the fittest.

[carla]

It's past midnight........and now I'm on my way down to the kitchen.

Oh well I take a fresh glass of water.

Greetings carla

[Tokira]

Gee my problem is the opposite. I'll eat pretty much anything, which I think may be genetic too, or maybe I'm just a little piggy!

Me too 
But I do draw the line at steamed okra and raw oysters (texture), and licorice (makes me gag, even the smell).  Pretty much anything else billed as food 
Carol
WV

[Donna]

I'll try anything ONCE, (within reason), I even had Frog legs, (which I can't remember), too much Boone's Farm Apple Wine. 

[valhalla]

I'll try anything ONCE, (within reason), I even had Frog legs, (which I can't remember), too much Boone's Farm Apple Wine. 

Donna!  Shame on you for admitting that you actually drank that swill      Frog Legs are on the menu at most German establishments here.  I always think of Kermit in the wheelchair from the Muppets Movie dream    They really do taste like chicken.