New guy… dietary help required!

[Bayou2000]

I have started dating a new guy after coming out of a 20 yr relationship so I am a bit rusty.
The new guy is a big seafood eater, and a great cook, often making fairly sophisticated seafood dishes.
When I was pregnant 17 yrs ago I became averse to the smell of fish after visiting a fish market and with the exception of fish and chips I haven’t eaten fish since and it turns my stomach to this day.
I totally accept this is socially not great.
How do I reintegrate fish back into my diet? Where would I start?

Why would you want to eat something you obviously don't want to, just for a bloke? Would he consider giving up the seafood for you?

I detest all fish and seafood and I've been perfectly fine, socially.

As usual, first post nails it.

I don’t eat seafood, DH does. He knows if he wants to eat it he has to shop for it and cook it himself, hence he rarely eats it 🤣

You should not be trying to force yourself to eat food you can't stand. How about he just doesn't cook fish for you?

I eat seafood ,dh doesn't,no big deal.

Tell him you don’t eat seafood - it’s not complicated.

Don’t force yourself to change your diet for a bloke you’ve known 5 minutes ffs

If he's a good cook he'll find other foods to cook that you enjoy eating.

Have to say this is a bit of a read flag deciding to change your eating habits this early on to please him. It's perfectly fine not to like something.

Umm you don't?!

It was more to open back up the option of eating at seafood restaurants- there are many good ones where we live. I am trying to widen my palate as I had always assumed it would be a short term dislike (like 9 months!).
I think from a health perspective I could benefit from the reintegration of fish into my diet.
I take the point it’s maybe a red flag on my part.

Maybe some seafood is more 'neutral'? What about scallops? They don't even smell or taste fishy to me. Mussels in white wine? More meaty fish like tuna?

Yes, thank you. Neutral options- exactly what I looking for! Appreciated.

Also, if you still like fish and chips, what about fish or prawn tempura or Thai fishcakes?

Fresh fish doesn’t smell fishy. The smell develops as it gets older. That fish market might have been a bit rank.

Prawns would be a good start. I’ve never had a smelly prawn.

And as you eat fish and chips, start taking the batter of of some of it and eating the fish on it’s own. That’s cod or whatever you order at the chippy sorted.

But I agree that you should only do this for yourself.

Just tell him you don’t like seafood. I don’t either, 2 of my DS’s love it, 1 doesn’t
No big deal

Some great ideas. Obviously if you want to eat seafood again you should do it for yourself and if it helps future relationships great.

If you buy fish that has been cooked already you avoid that distinctive raw fish smell.

Fish fingers are very similar to fish and chips.
Try fish in a thick tasty sauce. I find salmon isn't very fishy tasting once cooked. Salmon en crut might be a good idea. In pastry with a sauce.

What about a salmon or prawn stir fry where a strong flavour will mask the smell. Prawn pad Thai or curry would be delicious. You obviously have an aversion so a gradual reintroduction could work.

I have a similar aversion to tomatoes and I've slowly weened myself onto it. Smooth tomato sauces, finely chopped in a salsa, on pizza with cheese on pasta etc. I can now eat everything bar whole raw tomatoes.

You don’t change yourself for a bloke especially one you are just dating ! You’re being ridiculous! I’m a vegetarian and wouldn’t eat meat just because a bloke I dated did ! X

my DH likes salmon and vinegar sandwiches. i can't stand it and in our 31 years together he has not once expected me to eat it

I find salmon isn't very fishy tasting once cooked

I watch a Japanese cook on Youtube who always says if you rub salt on raw salmon or any fish, wait a bit then rinse it off, it stops it smelly 'fishy' as it's cooking.

Good advice!
Thank you!

This!