Experts recommend that we all eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. But we also have to accommodate our own preferences, allergies and financial limitations when crafting our diets. And when it comes to picky eaters, sometimes the top priority is just making sure they eat enough.
We took a trip to the Picky Eaters subreddit, so below, you’ll find out what’s on their simple and beige (yet sometimes creative!) menu. From chicken nuggets and french fries to mac and cheese and buttered toast, be sure to upvote the photos that make you feel seen if you’re a picky eater too. And if you need some inspiration for what to feed your picky partner or child, perhaps this list will help you out!
#1 My New Hyper Fixation Meal: Mini Baguette Served With Spaghetti Tossed In Rao’s Alfredo Sauce
Image credits: CravingCheeseburgers
#2 So, My Mom Made Stewed Ossobuco (Stewed Meat Basically)
But I don't like meat (I am not a vegetarian I just dont like meat at all, I like chicken breast and Turkey sausages...etc.) so basically I just cut 1/4 of a white onion, put some white vinegar, olive oil and salt, and mixed it together.
Image credits: reallysallty
#3 That’s How I Eat Burgers, Just Bland Meat And Buns With Nothing, Am 18 Btw
Image credits: naga_h1_UAE
The Picky Eaters subreddit is a godsend for those of us who struggle to eat a wide variety of foods. The community, which has been around for over a decade and amassed 5.4k members, describes itself as for “support, recipes, discussions, memes, whatever for picky eaters.” There are plenty of posts asking for advice on experimenting with new foods, and the community always responds kindly and without any judgment. While you might consider picky eating to be a phase kids go through and eventually grow out of, for some people that’s just not the case. And it’s great to have a community where they can find guidance and others struggling with the same limited diets.
According to Hana Zickgraf, an assistant professor of psychology who studies eating behavior at the University of South Alabama, about one third of people identify as picky eaters. And contrary to what many of us might assume, Zickgraf told the Washington Post that picky eating is often a result of nature, rather than nurture. Some of the reasons why adults may cling onto picky eating habits are heightened sensory and disgust sensitivity and a rigid mindset when it comes to food.
#4 I Scrubbed The Icing Off My Cookie Because It Was Too Sweet
Image credits: anastasiapicc
#5 Meal Prep For A Diet I Had To Do
Image credits: dvi2pdfm
#6 Love Beige Foods - Tostadas, Refried Beans, Tofurkey, Fyp Parm
Image credits: spookyghost23
For a previous Bored Panda article discussing picky eating, we reached out to Registered Dietician Kinga Balogh of JM Nutrition to hear her thoughts on how prevalent picky eating is and if anything can be done to expand people’s palates. “Everybody has food preferences and varying degrees of adventurousness around trying out new flavors,” Kinga shared. “There is no single definition for ‘picky eating,’ however experts agree that selective eating involves strong preferences, rigidity around choices, limited food options and/or fear of trying new foods.”
“Several behaviors can characterize a ‘picky eater’, including refusal to eat specific foods, refusal to eat entire food groups, denial to eat foods that are a certain color/texture/mouthfeel and unwillingness to try new foods,” she added.
#7 My Beige Diet
Image credits: CouchGoblin269
#8 Any Other Pb Only Sandwich People Out There?
Image credits: reddit.com
#9 That How I Eat Chicken Sandwich From Mcdonalds…
Image credits: naga_h1_UAE
“According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a study identified that anywhere from 12- 50% of toddlers are picky eaters, based on eating patterns described by their caregivers,” Kinga previously told Bored Panda. “Picky eating develops mostly during the toddler years for two main reasons. After experiencing very rapid growth in infancy, by 12 months toddlers’ growth rates and appetite starts to slow down, so their interest in food decreases as they become little explorers. Secondly, toddlers are also trying to establish a sense of independence. What better way, than refusing certain foods, and noticing their caregivers’ often desperate attempts to feed them?”
#10 My Brother Is A Picky Eater…
Image credits: Zomkit
#11 Parents Always Said I’m Just Picky. What Do You Think
Image credits: og-thanos-69
#12 This Is My Picky-Eating, Co-Worker’s Chipotle Order
Image credits: lurkzaddy
Kinga also noted that certain mental health conditions, such as autism, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also cause picky eating. “If a caregiver suspects that their child demonstrates this constellation of signs and symptoms, it is worthwhile to seek the help of a medical professional to investigate it further,” the expert told Bored Panda. “While there is a wealth of studies looking at feeding behaviors in children, the literature does not offer such a plethora of information around adults. According to the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the prevalence of picky eating is around 15-35% across the lifespan, arguably predominantly affecting individuals in the earlier part of their life.”
#13 Proper Picky Tea!
Image credits: Crudeshack
#14 Found A Veggie Soup I Love! It’s A Miracle!
Image credits: NikkiT96
#15 Trying Chips And Dip. I Want To Like It But It Feels Like My Brain Says No? The Look Of The Dip Is Not Helping
Image credits: Avetheelf
While picky eating can be harmless, Kinga notes that it is a restrictive eating pattern and can become dangerous when people aren’t eating enough. “Most selective eaters may meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Individuals of any age can be diagnosed with this eating disorder,” Kinga explained. “While picky eating can lead to family conflict and power struggles around mealtimes, those affected by ARFID have even more serious consequences to face. Affected individuals are often underweight, have nutritional deficits and severe social anxiety around gatherings and events where food is served.”
#16 Carrot Dogsss
Image credits: Lovepeacelovepeace02
#17 Lifesaver For When My Texture Adversity Acts Up
The (tart but tolerable) flavor is instantly washed away by water, and the pouch delivery method allows it to be consumed in three swallows - for minimum time spent with food in my mouth. 80 calories, $0.90.
Image credits: freckledflowergirl
#18 Feast Your Eyes On My 3 Weeks Worth Of Dinners Which I Meal Prepped Today
Image credits: seshprinny
But Kinga also says that “expansion of food choices beyond nutritional adequacy is not clinically warranted,” so we should tread lightly when trying to get loved ones to eat more. “It is important to acknowledge that people are fairly set in their tolerance and interest to expand their palate, and this should be respected,” she previously told Bored Panda. “While the well meaning support of friends and family can go a long way, one needs to be patient, tactful and creative in how they approach such delicate situations.”
#19 My Little One Wanted A Sad Picky Lunch
Image credits: happybakingface
#20 My Mom Made This For My Super Picky Brother
Image credits: RealAndGay
#21 This Was Posted In A Picky Kids Facebook Group
Image credits: Shakezula69iiinne
“Food should not be pushed on children or adults with selective eating patterns,” Kinga says. “The resulting anxiety to comply and try unwanted foods can backfire, as this emotion has an appetite suppressing effect. Also, picky eaters may perceive these attempts as intrusive or as an attack to their sense of self.”
Kinga also says we should avoid using enticing or rewarding strategies to try to get loved ones to eat more. “The reason being, that they tend to replicate the ineffective approaches faced by picky eaters from their childhood,” Kinga explained. “If adult selective eating originates from childhood, the attempt of loved ones to bribe them to eat certain foods may come across as condescending or outright patronizing.”
#22 My Overly Picky Toddlers "Pizza"
Image credits: MoeGunz6
#23 A Picky 7 Year Old Idea Of A "Nice" Dinner
Image credits: aristoo
#24 Packed Breakfast And Lunch For The Super Picky Kid- Air Fryer Chicken Strips And Fries, Cheese Cubes, Cheez-Its, And Fruit Snacks
Image credits: lonleygirl52
Genetics can also impact how we taste certain foods. “While one person may enjoy the taste of cilantro, another person may find it soapy,” Kinga noted. “It is important to keep this in mind, when feeling frustrated or resisting the urge to pressure others to take delight in the same foods that bring us joy. Furthermore, sometimes we develop more liking for certain foods the more exposure we get to them. Perhaps, the first sampling of dragon fruit was not a win, however upon further exposure one can notice the crisp and seedy texture and develop a deeper affinity for this exotic fruit.”
#25 The Ideal Sushi For Picky Eaters: The "Chicken Strips And Fries" Roll
Image credits: PineBadger
#26 Dinner
Image credits: wheetabixarebae
#27 Ah Yes, Gardien Chicken Nuggets And Green Beans. A Meal Fit For A Picky Toddler
Image credits: reddit.com
If you’re an adventurous eater, you might be shocked by some of the photos on this list. But if you’re a picky eater, you might be salivating while scrolling through! Keep upvoting the pics that you find most interesting or entertaining, and let us know in the comments if you’ve ever considered yourself to be a picky eater too. Then, if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing picky eating, we recommend checking out this one next! Bon appétit!
#28 As A Lazy Poor Picky Eater Student I Have So Many These Ffs
Image credits: eruditecow
#29 I'm A Very Picky Eater So It Means A Lot When O Say That This Is Some Tasty Meal
Image credits: Budget-Block3728
#30 When Its Been A Long/S**tty Day At Work. Nothing Relaxes Me More Than A Kid's Dinner And An Early Night
Image credits: FiguresMayVary
#31 When You Need To Use Up The Stuff In The Freezer
Image credits: bennymc123
#32 Loved Doing Peace Corps As A Picky Eater
Image credits: _JosiahBartlet
#33 My Sister's "Picky Lunch". What Poor Choices Have You Made Because Of The Heatwave?
Image credits: CarpathianMass
#34 Nothing Says ‘Picky Eater’ Like Ordering Off The Child’s Menu And Getting Sangria
Image credits: myfairemily
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