Reading the replies here I’m beginning to think picky eating might just have an external motivator as strong as an internal motivator.
Growing up I learned to dislike chicken as food. My Mom had such a fear of the danger of mishandling chicken that she baked it until it had the consistency of loose leaf paper. It was always dry, stringy, and tasteless. Likewise, I was never exposed to Cottage Cheese, any kind of fish, fresh or frozen; and Latin foods. (my Mom had scores of endearing qualities. She just wasn’t a culinary Goddess).
As a newlywed, my bride was pretty frustrated by my food “likes” and “dislikes”. YOU DON’T EAT CHICKEN? I can still remember the occasion she cajoled me into a bite of cottage cheese; another time she baked Gorton’s Fish Fillets for dinner and offered me no option, and a third time when my better half insisted we go to Taco Bell and get–what was then, a nicely portioned soft beef taco. Revelations, all.
We’ve grown old together being a bit more adventurous trying new tastes.
So, I think “set” menus and family dinner “routines” just might contribute to making a picky eater
