The KInd Life Community Forum

Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!

Forum
Get Started Here
Scared of veggies...

Scared of veggies...

Started by Cari Beach on August 8, 2011

6 Comments

Cari Beach said #1 Aug 8, 2011 at 2:54pm

I've been reading The Kind Diet for the past couple of days and am super excited to start the Superhero phase of the program. (I was diagnosed with MS two years ago and am in hopes that this will be helpful to my disease and the symptoms that come along with it.) One dillema...I'm scared of veggies.

I was raised on a highly processed, low nutrient, out of a can diet. We ate mac and cheese from the box and white bread. The veggies we ate came from a can and consisted of peas, green beens and cream corn.

Today I went to lunch with a friend and ordered Summer Squash stuffed ravioli with apples and walnuts...yuck!!! I was trying to get in the groove of the vegan/superhero lifestyle and am now more scared than ever.

Was anyone else out there afraid of veggies (and/or whole grains) when they started this journey? Please send me tips and tricks, good cheer and funny stories to help me along my path!

Thank you in advance for your support. This should be interesting. (Those who know me well are watching and TRYING to keep a straight face!)

Trista Laurence said #2 Aug 8, 2011 at 8:33pm

I was a very picky kid when I was younger, I didn't eat many veggies. I wasn't scared of them, I was just too stubborn to eat them!

I decided to change my eating habits about two years ago, generally eating less processed food, less fast food and more veggies. I started out with veggies that I knew I liked, mainly peas, carrots, corn and broccoli.

It takes alot of courage to try new things, but it's a good idea to start small, expand your tastes and search up some savoury recipies. Going straight to salad isn't easy to do, I personally disliked salad for quite some time. Start by making stir frys with many different veggies, herbs and spices. Don't over load on seasonings, let your tounge get used to veggies!

You have to find what you like, even vegans don't like all veggies, I personally can't eat cellery raw, unless it has hummus or peanut butter on it!

Cari Beach said #3 Aug 9, 2011 at 9:26am

Thank you so much, Trista. I feel a little silly. What you said was so dead-on and quite appropriate. I think I'm just over thinking this whole thing. I am an all or nothing person and I guess that was reflecting in my thoughts of becoming a super hero.

Again, thank you for straightening me out!!!

catconsrv said #4 Aug 9, 2011 at 9:49am

Cari, we didn't eat many veggies when I was young too and they were all canned! Eating fresh veggies is a whole new world! I used to hate the canned veggies and still do, but I love all of my food made with fresh ones. Don't be afraid! I love pumpernickel and rye bread now and only eat brown rice and whole grain pasta. The trick to brown rice is to get the short grain stuff (a bit harder to find, but you might find it at a health food store). This cooks to be softer and seem more like white (but not totally). And Trista is right, celery needs hummus!

Ashlei Noone said #5 Aug 11, 2011 at 2:18pm

I agree with Trista. Start slow and with veggies you know you like. I live on mushrooms and any kinds of bell pepper. It is my starting place and I expand from there.

What I'm finding out on this journey is if you are not used to cooking it can be frustrating. I grew up on frozen dinners and pizza, canned veggies and bread. I think I went through 7 vegan pancake recipes for I found one I liked. (that is 7 weeks of really bad pancakes and 7 weeks of serious frustration from my kid)

It is a exploration and it won't always be perfect and tasty. I can't find a substitute cheese I like. But I keep trying them in different ways.

So don't stress yourself. Start with what you know. Baby steps. (I tell myself these statements everytime I start to cook dinner)

Cari Beach said #6 Aug 16, 2011 at 5:28pm

Awesome advice, all of you. Thanks so much for your support despite never having met me. You ALL rock and I appreciate you taking your time and helping me with my dilemma. I am so excited to start this journey and with friends like all of you I know I'll be just fine.

Thanks again,

Join the Discussion!

Login or create an account on The Kind Life today and you'll be able to leave comments, share photos and videos with friends, and participate in community events!