How can I get my family to stop making me try food?

Question

I am a very picky eater. I always have been. I will not eat seafood, I don't like most vegetables and I can't stand food being mixed together. I just like certain foods a certain way and that's the way it is! Yet my family is intent on changing this! Whenever they are eating something I don't like or want they will beg me to try it and they will not stop bothering me until I do. Family fights have even broke out over a meal because of this! If I refuse to try the food they will become angry at me and tell me what a spoiled brat I am because children in Africa would die to eat whatever it is they are forcing me to eat. I have begun to avoid family meals just because of this. What can I do to get them to STOP bothering me about such a stupid thing that doesn't even effect them?

(By the way, i'm 21 years old, not a child)

I'm a very healthy weight as well.

Answer 1

My partner had the most annoying habit of treating me like a child. Whenever she'd cook something, she'd grab a spoonful and thrust it at my face with a "try this". Despite protesting many times, I always had to give in because she'd get angry etc and carry on like a dead set pork chop. One day, I'd had enough and without saying a word, just took a huge mouthful which I promptly spat back out all over the floor. Childish, maybe, but that's how I was being treated. And I left the room with the warning that if she ever does that to me again, she'll be wearing it. Guess what, it worked. Five years of "freedom" thus far!

Answer 2

Here is what i would do. It is a bit of a gamle, but might work.

Find something you know they really, really dislike to eat and next time they get on your casem ake them a deal.

I'll eat the seafood if you eat _____________ ? You just have to make sure it is just as nasty to them as you. Maybe that will make them back down, or at least consider your perspective.

You could also just take the approach that it is simply not their business -- and if everything tastes so good, you are doing them a favor by leaveing more for them! And truth is, if you are finiky, it is partially their fault because they may not have introduced you to enough food at an early age (not sure I buy this, but all the baby books say this is the case.)

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Cook your own meals, and tell them not to bother you.

In my family we HATE picky eaters. Picky eaters don't last very long, because we simply don't catter for them. If they can't eat food like everybody else they don't eat, and after several skipped meals, they suddenly realize that food is not that bad, so we nip that bad trait in their personality very fast.

I have a picky eater step kid.

My husband gets mad because I don't want to make "special" food for him. I don't feel any obligation towards making an extra effort to feed him, after all I prepared a meal for the family.

Now, if he would get up and do his own thing (with washing the pots and pans he messes up included) I simply wouldn't care.

So, if you don't bother your family with your pickiness they shouldn't bother you either.

Tell them it's a fair deal, just make sure your "special" meals are prepared by your self, and don't expect people to make spaghetti and meat ball, with the spaghetti, the meat balls and the sauce in different containers and god forbids they touch! And the meat-balls better have no onions/chives/cilantro/spices other than salt mixed in it because you won't eat them... you know that type of thing, because that means that EVERYBODY has to eat your bland food OR that someone has to go through the extra effort of making a batch for the little princess/prince.

So, if you don't bother them at all, tell them you simply don't care and you won't try anything too bizarre for your palate.

Answer 4

maybe they just want you to eat healthy for the sake of your health. But if it isn't about health then they are being unreasonable and maybe just upset that they prepare food that you don't eat. A lot of young girls under 17 are picky eaters so just try to scarf a little but down or maybe a tiny portion to make them happy and eat the stuff you like in big portions. If you just can't eat it just don't do it, save some food for your self or get a late night snack. Your parents are also acting a little imature but thier is nothing you can do exept talk to them peacefully about it.

Answer 5

Maybe you can compromise....make a deal with them that at one family meal a week, you'll try something new in exchange for them not constantly pestering you to try things you don't like. They may badger you to try new things because they have concerns about your health especially if you don't like most veges...they may think what you are eating isn't as healthy as it could be. Just a thought.

Answer 6

From the way your family are pushing you to eat, I detect that you may have a eating problem? Do they think that you are underwieght and hence push you to eat food. You are entitled to prefer your food the way you want and eat what you enjoy, as long as you are eating enough a day to sustain you. Otherwise your parents are going to stress and hence the arguments within the family.

Answer 7

Well obviously, you will die early of mal nutrition so your family is indirectly involved with your picky eating habits. If you really want them to stop bothering you, just move to Africa and show them that you don't need to eat to survive. Good luck

Answer 8

I stay in my room with the door locked and only come out at night when everyone is sleeping to eat.That way I dont have to deal with pushy people. But all it does is make it worse for me because they want to b*tch so much I feel I have to get away from it and should be eating more but just dont want to deal with the assinine remarks so would rather just stay away. When the dorks arent up and about Im fine though. People should just stay out of anyone elses business, theynonly make it worse, when it was fine to begin with. Hmm. Fat people su*k. And are pigs.

Answer 9

maybe you are anorexic and human food is no longer good to you. try pedigree dog food..hey my dogs love it and they watch The Wire on B.E.T.....just thought I would show you how stupid you sounded when you answered my question. Carma Carma

Answer 10

Maybe you could make them try things too and see how that goes down.