If you’ve never been a fan of vegetables, you’re not alone. Many people grew up disliking them, and some find their bitter flavours hard to enjoy. The good news is that taste preferences can change over time.
Here are three gentle steps to help you enjoy vegetables more.
1. Taste them often
Tastes can change with repeated exposure. A vegetable you dislike today might become more enjoyable after you’ve tried it several times, especially in small amounts.
Try this: Add a small portion of a vegetable to meals regularly. You don’t have to finish it. Just taste.
2. Cook them well
How vegetables are cooked makes a big difference. Roasting brings out natural sweetness; a little olive oil, garlic, lemon or spices can transform bland vegetables into something delicious.
Try this: Roast a tray of vegetables like carrots, butternut, broccoli or cauliflower with olive oil and salt until golden.
3. Eat mindfully
Paying attention to what you eat can help you notice flavours and textures you might otherwise miss. Rather than eating vegetables as a chore, try to really experience them.
Try this: Take one bite slowly. Notice the colour, smell, texture and taste. What do you actually experience?
Be patient
Changing your tastes takes time. Celebrate small steps, like enjoying one new vegetable or adding greens to a favourite dish.
How little is enough
Choose one vegetable to try in a new way this week. Roast it, add it to a soup or taste it mindfully.
For more, read how to start eating mindfully.
If you’d like a little more help at the table, there’s a gentle guide to everyday eating on the Guides page.