You may think picky eating is only as long as your childhood lasts but you might be wrong, because the habit of picky eating is also found in adults. When picky eating transitions into adulthood, it is referred to as selective eating, or neophobia. It looks like an easy to solve problem but it can be seriously troubling for some people, especially those picky eaters who are looking to lose weight but are held back from consuming healthy foods by a certain psychological aversion. Getting to the core of the problem can help you incorporate some food substitution through which you can shred off some weight being a picky eater.
A Picky Eater’s Instinct
Life may not be easy for picky eaters. Almost every person has a certain dislike for a food or two but the problem arises when you need to eat a certain food to lose weight but you can’t. As per the John Hopkins Magazine, picky eating adults get their source of nourishment from a restricted source of child-friendly foods like pizza, donuts, and french fries. Not only do these foods add to an individual’s weight but they also expose you to multiple health-related problems, like diabetes, anemia and scurvy, because of their high sodium, fat and sugar level.
Reducing Calorie Intake
Your main concern should be eating fewer calories than your body burns throughout the day. Go for foods you feel comfortable with so you don’t have to make considerable dietary changes but also take up regular exercise with it to burn more calories.
Look For Healthier Substitutes
List down the foods you can tolerate and focus on the healthier ones, like fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and dietary products, that are low on fat. If you love your high-calorie foods way too much, look for options on cutting down their calorie content, like french fries. Additionally, you can roast sliced potatoes or sweet potatoes in olive oil to make french fries. For pizza, you may want to consider a whole-wheat crust topped with vegetables and low-fat cheese topping. Be more accepting of new ingredients on your plate. This way, you can explore more flavors and might end up loving one.
Find a Dietitian
If nothing else is working and you are losing hope, get some professional help. A dietitian can help you come up with a flexible food plan that will cater to your food’s requirements and limitations.
So, as you can see, the instinct of picky eaters makes it difficult for them to lose weight. If you are one of them, you can follow the tips provided above.