Ask a picky eater anything (supertaster)

[bbdoll]

I have been deemed a "picky" eater my entire life and now I've come to realize I am classified as a supertaster.  There are very few foods that I can and will eat.  I will literally gag on many foods.  So, when you meet someone like me, I'm sure you all wonder things.  So, go ahead.  Ask away.  I'm bored at work, so I'm opening myself up.

[cheeseandcrackers]

does that mean you're pretty thin?

[wambam]

I have no questions, I just think that's awful. I love food. I haven't met a whole food (meat, veggies, fruit) that I haven't liked. With the exception of kiwi. Everything else I love.

God I love eating.

[Deleted]

I always thought I was a supertaster because I ate everything and there's only a couple of foods I loathe lol I love eating very spicy foods and I crave salt in my diet. Sweets I can do without. What are your tastes like?

[emptygee]

What's your favorite food?

[FastHands]

The extent of my thoughts in that situation are usually either "that sucks" or "you're full of shit" depending on the person. lol

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:44:06 GMT -5 cheeseandcrackers said:

does that mean you're pretty thin?

No, I'm actually slightly overweight.  Most of the foods I can stomach aren't of the healthy variety.  I try to control my weight by limiting portions, but that is very hard to do.  I'm 5' tall and I've ranged from 105 lbs to 135 lbs depending on my stage in life.

[snipsnsnails]

I'm a supertaster, but there are only certain things I can't/don't eat - mainly bitter things. I thought the enhanced tastebuds affected were usually the bitter ones? How are your other ones affected?

[sunshineray]

Do you have any other physical issues? The only people I know that are so sensitive to certain food/textures have other medical issues as well. Have you had therapy?

And yeah, I'm sad for you. How old are you?

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:45:37 GMT -5 puddleofgrace said:

Have you always had texture/food issues?

My 4 year old really struggles with food. Won't even try new food only eats certain things. She has struggled with texture issues regarding food since she was a baby. I was just wondering if you have always struggled or if it just got worse as you got older?

My mother just recently told me a story about when I first started eating table food.  She made spaghetti with ground beef.  She cut the ground beef up into teeny little pieces.  She put a spoon of the spaghetti mixture into my mouth and I worked it around until I pulled all the ground beef pieces out.  Then I swallowed the spaghetti.  So, I would say I've always had the issues.  I see some issues in my son as well, so I wonder if there is a genetic connection somehow.

[sunshineray]

Is there like an actual diagnostic test for this? I'm always a little skeptical of shit like this. And this kind of came out of nowhere so..

[emptygee]

Jun 21, 2013 13:46:22 GMT -5 toledo said:

I predict that this thread will piss me off.

Don't most threads, though?

[Moe]

supertasters aren't necessarily defined as picky. they have an advanced sensitivity to bitter foods. it's thought to be an overexpression of a gene.

[BAMFMrsB]

My nephew (10 mo) seems to be starting off like this. Give him ANYthing to try (in tiny baby bite size) and he will make a face like you've handed him a bit o'lemon covered in salt. Then he gags. Sometimes he pukes. And we're talking PEA sized trial bites.

My DS OTOH, is a horker of food. He will shovel in, so far, just about anything. Daycare said he didn't like sesame chicken.  But he is an eater.

ETA: BIL (nephew's dad) is the same way. There is a LOOOOOOOOOOONG list of what he will NOT eat. Meatloaf, coffee, tomatoes....

[little kicks]

I'm a pretty picky eater too, so I can commiserate some. What do you eat? Is your SO supportive, or does it cause issues in your relationship?

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:47:08 GMT -5 sunshineray said:

Do you have any other physical issues? The only people I know that are so sensitive to certain food/textures have other medical issues as well. Have you had therapy?

And yeah, I'm sad for you. How old are you?

No, no other medical issues per se.  I'm 35 years old.  It is beyond embarrassing to be this way.  I really wish I could be different.  I do keep trying new foods, but it just doesn't work for me.  To answer the earlier poster, my favorite food is any sort of potato.  I will eat sweet potatoes as well.  But, that's basically it for vegetables.  I keep trying different ways of preparing carrots and squash, but no such luck just yet.

[Deleted]

Nothing about this sounds super.

[MWOS]

I feel angry that this has a superhero name

I don't know why

[snipsnsnails]

It sounds like you have sensory issues, not that you are a supertaster. Have you talked to your doc?

[sunshineray]

I found this article. It seems pretty comprehensive. Have you counted your papillae?

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324392804578362833147151480.html

[Moe]

Jun 21, 2013 13:52:52 GMT -5 MWOS said:

I feel angry that this has a superhero name

I don't know why

[frlcb]

Did you decide you were a supertaster? My 34 year old SIL is incredibly picky, and has been since she was little, and I wouldn't say she is a supertaster, just picky. She literally eats like 4 things, no joke. And none of them are healthy. She tried hypnotism but it didn't work. Quite frankly as much as she says it embarrasses her it really irritates me because it is rubbing off on my kids who don't understand why she gets to eat pizza all the time and they can't.

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:51:42 GMT -5 little kicks said:

I'm a pretty picky eater too, so I can commiserate some. What do you eat? Is your SO supportive, or does it cause issues in your relationship?

It doesn't really cause issues with my DH because he isn't a very adventerous eater either.  He's nowhere near as bad as me, but he understands.  I basically eat like a small child - hot dogs, ham, potatoes, mac & cheese, spaghetti (no meat), chicken in most forms, corn, some soups, eggs, many fruits (apples, strawberries, grapes, etc.)

The idea of being a supertaster is self diagnosed due to my own research.  I belong to a support group and most people describe identical experiences to mine.  There is no diagnostic test to verify my claim, so take it for what it's worth.

[pantsparty]

I, too, am mad at the name. You are not a super taster. You are a sucky taster. I am sure you a delightful person, but your tastebuds can not be described as super.

[MWOS]

a LEAGUE OF SUPERTASTERS?!

[MrsAggie]

Meh, I don't eat condiments. They have a very strong taste to me. I also dip a fork into salad dressing to eat it. Not as a diet trick, just because anymore dressing makes me gag.

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:54:34 GMT -5 namasteak said:

When someone invites you over to dinner do you get upset if they make something you can't eat (assuming thy didnt ask about preferences/allergies beforehand)?

Do you just tell people that you are allergic to a whole lot of foods so they are more understanding?

No, I don't expect people to change their diets or menus for me.  I just plan ahead to get something afterwards if necessary.  My close friends already know about my "quirk" and understand.  I never call attention to it when I'm at someone's home.  Usually I can find something to nibble on and sometimes my DH will help me by snagging something off my plate when no one is paying attention.

I know it may seem silly to many people, but it really does cause me a lot of anxiety.  I will break out in a cold sweat if I'm trying a new food.  Logically I know it can't hurt me, but my mind doesn't get that I guess.

[snipsnsnails]

Dang, what's a supertaster have to do to get her questions answered around this joint??

[bbdoll]

Jun 21, 2013 13:47:06 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

I'm a supertaster, but there are only certain things I can't/don't eat - mainly bitter things. I thought the enhanced tastebuds affected were usually the bitter ones? How are your other ones affected?

I'm not sure, to be honest.  Sorry - didn't purposely skip your question.  I didn't know how to answer it.

[smock]

Wait, I can't stand bitter flavors--beer, coffee, walnuts, even dark chocolate––sooooo . . . am I super?