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Have your taste buds evolved?
Started
by Stefanie
on February 21, 2013
Since going mostly vegan and eating mostly all fresh, plant-based foods, I've noticed that my taste buds are changing. For example, I used to hate iced tea. I couldn't stand the taste. Then about three weeks after switching to plant-based, I had some (because I didn't want to drink a soda) and I loved it! Now I drink unsweetened iced tea pretty regularly, whereas before I couldn't even stand a sip. It's the opposite with soda- I used to drink as much as 4 cans a day at one point, but eventually got myself down to one can every other day or so. When I went vegetarian (back in November), I cut it down to once a week, and about a month and a half ago when I switched to mostly vegan (I'm about 95% vegan, aiming to be 100% soon), I cut soda out almost completely. Yesterday, after not having soda for a solid three weeks, I gave in and had one (strenuous day at work). Much to my delight, it was disgusting! I couldn't stand the taste anymore at all, and even just drinking about a third of it before I threw it away, my body did not react well. I got this strange dizzy feeling, felt a little nauseous, and had a sudden crash. There was absolutely no sugar "high" like I used to get with soda, and after yesterday I'm certain I won't ever touch another drop again. Have you had any similar experience? Perhaps found a food you now love that you used to not enjoy before, or vice versa?
I remember when I first changed my diet and several weeks later I ate some raw red bell pepper and was convinced I was eating candy. The sugars in natural foods were EXPLOSIVE. And Kale! I remember before thinking that kale was bitter, and now I find it delicious.
We actually live in a really sweet world - we just poison ourselves so much with high fructose corn syrup and other craziness that we desensitize.
The way I think of it; it's not so much that our taste buds evolve as that they heal. We go back to tasting real food the way it's meant to be tasted.
I'm always excited to hear of people having similar experiences!
That's really interesting! I'm hoping my tastebuds start changing too. I currently drink WAY too much soda.
I know exactly what you mean! I eat so many vegetables now that I've hated all my life. I think my tastebuds are a lot more sensitive now too, if that's possible. I enjoy the flavor of everything I eat so much more now than I did before going vegan. As for the soda, I gave it up before going vegan but I still find myself craving it every once in a while. I very rarely give in and when I do, I don't think it tastes bad... but the thought of what's in it repulses me enough to put it down after a few sips.
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