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Fussy eaters, help me understand

147 replies

whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 18:27

DP dislikes a lot of what I consider staple foods and is not a confident cook, whereas I fancy myself the opposite. I try not to act like a dick about this but fail fairly often, so would be grateful for any insight that might help me be kinder.

DP won't eat (might choke down if pressed): courgettes, aubergines, leeks, lentils, beans, peppers, copius onion, sushi, duck, skin, fat, anything too hot, most seafood... loads of stuff I'm forgetting. Some of these foods are among my favourites. He generally lives on plain protein, packet lettuce, and pasta/rice. Since I've known him, he has tried and liked a few new things, which is great and I try to be encouraging.

I won't eat offal (especially fish offal), mussels, and that's pretty much it. Would eat mussels if forced (just squeamish when I can see them). DP says I'm the fussy one because I dislike raw egg white on a fried egg and massively overcooked, unsalted chicken breast (burnt, dry). I was extremely pissed off when he said this, but tbf I do call him fussy all the time so maybe he was just getting revenge. I am not a lentil weaver, and happily eat instant noodles and McDonald's on occasion, I just like things to be how they should be!

Grateful for views from people who struggle with food as well as those who live with them - how do you avoid arguing? I sometimes insist upon cooking because I know he'll mess it up, which I know isn't great, and sometimes leads to little arguments... perhaps that means I'm fussy too, as well as a bit controlling.

OP posts:
whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 19:54

Can I please announce to all who have accused me of treating DP like a toddler for gently introducing to new foods. Poor choice of words learnt from MN. I've bought DP dinner where he wouldn't usually go, and cooked him meals with ingredients he wouldn't usually try. I've not forced him, made a thing of it, or spoon fed him puree.

OP posts:
whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 19:56

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 19:48

This teaches me to try to be fair to him then. Will portray myself as a victim in future.

So, you didn't like the responses you got so next time you'll lie? That's awful.

What were you hoping for? That everyone would agree with you?

Obviously not, but it is impossible to condense a whole relationship into one post. I chose to focus on what it unflattering to me, and got the reactions I should have expected rather than help.

OP posts:
TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:00

ETref · 21/04/2023 19:53

Also I know what being treated like a toddler by people trying to 'gently encourage' me to try new foods feels like. I've had it my whole life, it isn't nice, however well meaning people think they are being.

Me too.
People should just mind their own business.

I'm not an idiot, I'm not a child. Just let me eat what I want, not what you think I'll enjoy.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:01

Obviously not, but it is impossible to condense a whole relationship into one post. I chose to focus on what it unflattering to me, and got the reactions I should have expected rather than help.

People are helping. Those of us who live with a restricted diet are telling you how your behaviour makes people feel.
You're just choosing not to listen.

Bluegrass · 21/04/2023 20:02

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 19:37

I guess you've never met anyone with an eating disorder then?

No, but that is irrelevant to this particular topic, which is all about a fussy eater, with no mention whatsoever of an eating disorder.

Fandabedodgy · 21/04/2023 20:04

Read up on AFRID if you really want to understand.

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid

ETref · 21/04/2023 20:06

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:00

Me too.
People should just mind their own business.

I'm not an idiot, I'm not a child. Just let me eat what I want, not what you think I'll enjoy.

Absolutely. It baffles me that people think they should have a say in what another adult eats. And it smacks of superiority, like they think you are a lesser person because you're fussy with food.

whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 20:09

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:01

Obviously not, but it is impossible to condense a whole relationship into one post. I chose to focus on what it unflattering to me, and got the reactions I should have expected rather than help.

People are helping. Those of us who live with a restricted diet are telling you how your behaviour makes people feel.
You're just choosing not to listen.

Sorry, it's hard to distinguish between people like you and those who are basically calling me a controlling bitch.

DP does not agree that he has food issues. He has not tried to explain what he can't cope with, I'd try to accommodate if that were the case. I've only found out what he doesn't like through him refusing to eat things I've cooked for him.

OP posts:
TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:09

No, but that is irrelevant to this particular topic, which is all about a fussy eater, with no mention whatsoever of an eating disorder.

It's not irrelevant to the post which I wax responding to which lumped all fussy eaters together.

Not all 'fussy' eaters are fussy by choice. ARFID is a real eating disorder which is often mistaken for just being fussy.
It's not. I'd give anything to have a more varied diet.

TheShellBeach · 21/04/2023 20:10

Bluegrass · 21/04/2023 19:36

Fussy eaters give me the rage, like nails down a blackboard. I can’t think of anything that I’ve been offered and not at least tried, or eaten a reasonable amount of to be polite. In some cases people with far less than me were offering what was, to them, the best parts of the dish. I would eat it and show how grateful I was to them - food is precious!

Ah. Another poster who fails to understand sensory issues in relation to food, and ARFID.

Farmerama1 · 21/04/2023 20:14

Fussiness with food irritates some people because it can come across to them as ungrateful , wasteful, entitled, toddler-like, not taking responsibility for managing one’s health. Maybe some of these resonate?

almostwarm · 21/04/2023 20:14

I definitely introduced new foods to DH, he was ridiculously fussy when we met. Over time he has expanded what he will happily eat a lot.
It makes eating and cooking much easier for both of us.
Each dc is allowed to say that they can't be made to try three things, everything else has to be at least tasted.

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:15

And it smacks of superiority, like they think you are a lesser person because you're fussy with food.

Yep, people assume I'm stupid, childlike and boring.
I've even been accused of being unadventurous in bed 😂😂

I'm a senior academic with a phd who travels the world.... I'm just not bothered about food and only eat my 'safe' foods.

whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 20:15

I can also add that DP is very uninhibited in criticising how and what I cook for him, much more so that I would the other way round, so please don't imagine he's cowering trying to choke down what I make him. He's happy to tell me my food is shit.

OP posts:
whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 20:16

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:15

And it smacks of superiority, like they think you are a lesser person because you're fussy with food.

Yep, people assume I'm stupid, childlike and boring.
I've even been accused of being unadventurous in bed 😂😂

I'm a senior academic with a phd who travels the world.... I'm just not bothered about food and only eat my 'safe' foods.

I'm really sorry, I don't want to make you feel like that.

OP posts:
TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:19

Don't worry, you haven't.
I guess those of us who have been made to feel like that in the past just want to highlight how certain comments can make someone feel.

It's sounds like your DP doesn't have this issue and just likes what he likes....and there's nothing wrong with that.
He also shouldn't be rude to you or your cooking. That's not on.

Bluegrass · 21/04/2023 20:21

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:09

No, but that is irrelevant to this particular topic, which is all about a fussy eater, with no mention whatsoever of an eating disorder.

It's not irrelevant to the post which I wax responding to which lumped all fussy eaters together.

Not all 'fussy' eaters are fussy by choice. ARFID is a real eating disorder which is often mistaken for just being fussy.
It's not. I'd give anything to have a more varied diet.

I feel angry that food is such a precious resource, that most of the planet has to struggle for, and yet seemingly in the West (and this does feel very much like a Western preoccupation) we have people who whinge about how they can’t possibly eat a fucking courgette, or a bowl of peas just makes them feel sick (weirdly always seems to be the healthy stuff they have problems with, never the high fat salt sugar beige shite from McDonalds or KFC).

Fuck off and get a grip of yourselves, it’s self indulgent. Climate change is a reality, food shortages, famine, war…sadly over the next couple of generations I think we will look back on this era with a mixture of shame and disbelief.

whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 20:25

DP also does stuff like putting garlic cheese and ham on a hot cross bun, and scoffing when I say that's a bit odd. Makes the courgette issue a bit harder to bear. 😁

OP posts:
TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:26

Fuck off and get a grip of yourselves, it’s self indulgent. Climate change is a reality, food shortages, famine, war…sadly over the next couple of generations I think we will look back on this era with a mixture of shame and disbelief.

No, you fuck off and educate yourself.
I have an actual eating disorder. It manifests itself as a phobia of food. If I eat something not on my safe list I physically gag and can't swallow.
I would genuinely rather starve than eat certain foods.

whoisthefusspot · 21/04/2023 20:28

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:19

Don't worry, you haven't.
I guess those of us who have been made to feel like that in the past just want to highlight how certain comments can make someone feel.

It's sounds like your DP doesn't have this issue and just likes what he likes....and there's nothing wrong with that.
He also shouldn't be rude to you or your cooking. That's not on.

I think that's definitely fair enough. I would like us to be able to deal with it like that, as I want people to enjoy food, not feel sick and stressed by it. If he was a bit more honest about how strongly he feels about certain things maybe that would help. I think part of the problem is that I don't always believe him, because he's not necessarily given it a fair shot before.

OP posts:
Hedgehog93 · 21/04/2023 20:29

Fussy eaters infuriate me. 😂 My ex didn’t eat ANY fruit or veg. He lived on a beige buffet diet. Wouldn’t eat pasta, pizza, anything with onions tomatoes anything, Casseroles any what I class as normal dinners. No cheese literally no fruit or veg or salad. Just meat and potatoes. I found it childish and pathetic for a grown man! He would eat an Indian so that was only takeaway with minimal or the sauce. Turned out to be a giant prick. Not sure if they’re related or a red flag 😂😂

BarelyLiterate · 21/04/2023 20:32

I would love to be a fussy eater. It might be easier to keep control of my weight. Loving food, in almost all its varieties (I don’t do okra & oysters, but that’s about it) is one of life’s great sensual pleasures. I can’t even imagine why anyone would deny themselves that, but it must make it easier to stay slim.

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:33

I know it's difficult for people who eat 'normally' to understand but some people have no desire to enjoy food.
Food is fuel to me. I don't get any pleasure from eating or trying new things.

I also can't give somethings things a a fair shot .... I just physically can't.

I'm not saying that this is how your DP thinks but it's how someone with ARFID does.

I've spent thousands on therapy to just get to where I am but I still have a very restricted diet compared to most.

Bluegrass · 21/04/2023 20:36

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:26

Fuck off and get a grip of yourselves, it’s self indulgent. Climate change is a reality, food shortages, famine, war…sadly over the next couple of generations I think we will look back on this era with a mixture of shame and disbelief.

No, you fuck off and educate yourself.
I have an actual eating disorder. It manifests itself as a phobia of food. If I eat something not on my safe list I physically gag and can't swallow.
I would genuinely rather starve than eat certain foods.

So in spite of the fact you are nothing like the OP’s husband you’ve decided to use your circumstances as a way of shutting down a conversation on the topic of fussiness? Sweet.

TearsforBeers · 21/04/2023 20:37

weirdly always seems to be the healthy stuff they have problems with, never the high fat salt sugar beige shite from McDonalds or KFC).

I know I should just ignore your goady shit but there is an explanation.....
this kind of food is tasteless. People with ARFID tend to be super tasters so gravitate to tasteless food because it's safe.

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