You'll never see me hop on the avocado toast train or order an omelet when I'm out to breakfast. Why? I'm just not a fan of the textures. For the most part, I've been able to avoid certain foods with a texture that I'm not a huge fan of, but as I've gotten older, it's become a bit of a drag.
It was a lot easier when I was a kid, when my parents would make sure that every meal they prepared was something I could (and would) eat. But now that I'm in college, I'm learning that it doesn't really pay to be picky.
From buffets in the dining hall to a bite out with friends at a new restaurant, sometimes there's no choice but for you to confront whatever texture of food is bugging you out. But, if you follow these tips and tricks, you'll def get over being a texture snob.
1. Try cooking the food in a new way
For the longest time, I couldn't get past tofu. I would see it in the salad bar at my dining hall, all raw and slimy looking, and I would take a hard pass. The spongy, mealy texture just didn't interest me.
Flash forward to a couple of weeks later when I got a stir fry rice dish from the hot bar in my dining hall, with what I thought was chicken. Turns out, it was tofu! Once I tried this food in a different way (like, hidden under a bunch of rice), it didn't bother me as much.
Cooking foods a certain way, or basically frying anything, can definitely help change the texture, so this is an easy way to get yourself used to how a formerly "gross" food feels.
2. Try the food somewhere new
If you're always traveling, it might be worth a shot to try some "unsavory" textures in a new setting! For example, if you can't get past the texture of fish, maybe it'd help trying it near the beach?
That way, you'd be around people who work with that ingredient all the time and know how to prepare it properly. Plus, I'm a firm believer that everything tastes a little better on vacation.
Traveling is supposed to expand your perspectives, so why wouldn't this apply to new foods and textures?
3. Change your way of thinking about the food
Mind over matter, right? Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy when trying a food with a new texture. If you've been telling yourself all your life that a certain texture is gross, slimy or dry, of course, you'll want to avoid it forever.
So, going forward, try to swap out your negative associations for positive ones! Okay, so avocados might be "squishy," but so is, pudding or chocolate frosting, or even mashed potatoes!
Seems a little strange, I know, but if you actively try to replace thoughts about foods you don't like with thoughts about foods you do like, it might be easier in the long run to try new things.
4. Eat with more friends
As I see it, this strategy will work one of two ways. One, you could see all your friends loving this new food and be enticed to try it. Or two, you could be embarrassed that you're being the picky eater and try the food with the weird texture.
I'm usually not one to advocate for peer pressure, but sometimes it helps not to be alone when trying new things. And hey, if you really hate the food, maybe you'll at least have a fun story to tell the next time you go out to eat.
5. Introduce the weird texture slowly
If you really can't stand the texture of say, shellfish, no one's saying you have to go "zero to clam bake." Part of getting over an aversion to texture is first getting used to it.
Try a bite when someone offers you something new, but you don't have to eat the whole thing. If you force yourself to eat something you don't want, it'll only give you negative thoughts about it the next time around.
6. Mix in some ingredients you do like
Like I've said, I'm not the biggest fan of avocado. But you know what I do love? Chocolate. It's about time I took advantage of all those avocado brownie recipes I see online! Mixing a flavor and texture you like with something you're not crazy about is a great way to get used to this new ingredient.
It may be a little weird or a little off the first time you try it, but you'll definitely get used to it. Who knows, you might even miss that new texture once you switch back to how you used to eat.
7. Just grin and bear it
Sometimes, you're just not going to be able to avoid a texture you don't like. I can't tell you how many times I've had to just smile and pick through a salad that was just drowning in olives (seriously, those suckers get everywhere).
Yeah, some textures might be gross, but is it really worth ruining a nice time out with friends and family by making a fuss?
Food is supposed to be a fun experience for everyone, but having to eat a texture you're not a fan of can certainly damper the party. With these tips and tricks, in no time there'll be no food you can't handle.