As a kid, I was the poster child for picky eating. If it smelled weird, looked funny, or had anything green in it, I wanted nothing to do with it. My poor parents tried everything to make me eat vegetables, any common food. Fast forward to adulthood, and I’m now willingly eating (and loving!) all the things I once swore I’d never touch. These foods went from my childhood enemies to some of my favorite things on the plate.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer’s personal beliefs.
Olives
Olives were once the ultimate food villain on my plate. As a kid, I couldn’t understand how anyone could eat something that looked suspiciously like a bug and tasted so… strange. I’d pick them off pizza, push them to the side in salads, and refuse to go near them in pasta. But somewhere along the way, my taste grew up. Now, that same briny, bold flavor I used to dread is one of my favorite things to pile onto just about everything.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are truly one of those hit-and-miss foods, even after decades of being used in chowders, soups, and the whole shebang.
For most of us, the idea of eating something that’s literally a fungus is gross. Understandably, it’s not appetizing to think mushrooms get their spongy and chewy texture from here.
Yet, while we all made faces when we saw these on our plates, we loved eating them even on their own.
Tomatoes
Who hasn’t gone through an ‘I hate tomatoes’ phase? The tangy fruit isn’t really a people's favorite, so not many tried it as kids.
The sour tinge of the food, followed by the ability to somehow ruin everything around it, made tomatoes the bane of existence. It was the worst thing to spot specks of tomatoes in your food and have to pick them out.
But after all these years, look at us. We can easily munch on a tomato and love them.
Beets
Many people still don’t like beets because they taste weird, have an intense flavor, and really make a mess.
It also goes to show that beets can flavor something just by being close, which is why marvels like beet-tinted pasta and noodles exist. But for kids who didn’t like seeing primary colors on plates, they were a big no-no.
Over the years, we’ve gotten over this dislike. But there are definitely kids today who hate beets like we did.
Sushi
‘Ew, yuck’ are the words typically said by children who try sushi for the first time. It’s just how it goes.
Eating raw fish is a major part of the reason why children hate sushi, and we did, too. Just thinking about placing that thin slice of raw fish made our little hearts quiver in horror.
But now we’ve moved on and can gladly eat as much sushi as our stomachs can fit.
Quinoa
All right, quinoa is one of those things you don’t like until you really begin eating it consistently enough to get used to the taste and texture.
It’s totally understandable to see a bunch of kids freak out because Mom made quinoa. We were once these kids, hoping the oven would miraculously reveal a McDonald’s meal instead.
But like we said before, once you get used to the taste, it’s really difficult going back.
Hummus
Chickpeas? Not popular with the kids. Hummus? Definitely not. Luckily, that’s no longer the case.
Let’s be real: most of us hated the texture and appearance of hummus. It reminded us of a certain thing that we’re not going to talk about, so most of us would find the dip revolting.
But pair that with some crackers and veggies? Now, we could eat this combo for days.
Ginger
Ginger has a relatively strong taste, so the kids really aren’t to blame. Even eating ginger today feels like you’re trying some new medicine.
For most, it’s that weird scratchy feeling ginger invokes at the back of the throat. But turns out, pair it with the right dishes (topped over some curry, karahi or chowders); it’s a mind-blowing food.
It’s probably why Indian and general desi cuisine tastes just so much better: ginger!
Pomegranates
Perhaps we didn’t like pomegranates because they were so hard to eat as a kid. What kid can actually peel a pomegranate?
Pomegranates can be pretty sour, too. And even the sweet ones don’t last for long because they’re practically 70% seeds, and we didn’t really know how to eat them.
But now they’re an excellent ingredient for juice, salads, and desserts; you get the gist.
Balsamic vinegar
Oof. This is one food that kids didn’t know they hated because it’d dissipate into the food, leaving behind just a trace of sourness.
But many people use balsamic vinegar cleverly, adjusting a recipe just so the balsamic flavor is the perfect fit. Plus, it pairs amazingly well with vanilla ice cream (!).
If only balsamic vinegar had been introduced to us like that, we would have liked it ages ago!
Artichoke dip
Artichokes aren’t really a vegetable you can easily like, even after you grow up. The dip is just a way to salvage its reputation, but it works wonders sometimes.
Artichoke dips have an amazing nutty flavor that complements most crisps and crackers, so they’re a classic grocery buy now. But boy, did we come a long way with these.
The earthy flavor can be a little too intense for kids, so it takes a while for them to like it.
Tamarind
We’d call our mothers crazy after seeing them eat tamarind like it wasn’t some weird squishy sour bomb. But after trying it, we get what the hype is.
Tamarind isn’t a kid's favorite because of its sharp, tangy flavor, which cuts through the plant’s sweetness. It also doesn’t look that appealing, so kids don’t have a good opinion about it.
But we all know how different it tastes now!
Kale
Give a kid a plate of kale, and they will start to turn green like the veggies. Give an adult a bowl of kale, and they will be elated! Kale is a veggie that kids can't stand, but adults adore.
We love how healthy kale is and how amazing it tastes when sautéed with garlic or blended into a smoothie. The kale hasn't changed over the years, but our grown-up taste buds sure have!
Guacamole
Guacamole is everything that kids don't like. It is green, it is mushy and it is sometimes spicy. It is clear to see why a kid would look at a bowl of guacamole and get nervous about putting it in their mouth.
But, of course, adults LOVE guac and chips. We just can't get enough!
Celery
Kids despise celery. First of all, it is green, which is a terrible food color for kids. Secondly, it has a terrible, watery taste and an awful crunch. Why would anyone eat celery?!
Well, adults absolutely love celery. They adore how satisfyingly crunchy it is and obsess over the low-calorie snack. Celery is a true grown-up food that only the elders can appreciate.
Spinach
Adults love spinach! We put it in smoothies, turn it into salads, and eat it sauteed. We love spinach in every different form.
But put a bowl of spinach in front of a kid, and they will probably groan, scream, or cry. Spinach doesn't work for kids, and they probably won't change their minds until they are at least 25.
Shrimp
Shrimp is a luxury food that adults love. The chewy, fishy-tasting food is often reserved for special occasions, but it is just so good!
However, kids will refuse to eat shrimp anytime it is served. It is too tough, too smelly, and too fishy! All the things that adults love about shrimp, kids hate.
Garlic
If you give a kid food with lots of garlic, they will likely say it is way too "spicy." Garlic has a very strong taste that can overpower the other ingredients. Add too much garlic, and kids will likely run away.
But adults want more, more, more! The more garlic, the better. Garlic can be pretty polarizing across the generations.
Blue Cheese
There is no way a kid is eating blue cheese. It is literally covered in blue mold! And, blue cheese stinks. Kids will run in the other direction if you ask them to give it a try. However, adults would like to eat an entire block of blue cheese all on their own. Do you agree? Or do you hate blue cheese like a child?
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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