The Adventures of a Picky Eater

As a picky eater, I tend to have a lot of rules for what foods I will or will not eat. Based on previous posts, one would think my typical diet consists of chicken tenders and lettuce. The very basic meal for a picky eater. With that being said, I also enjoy some rather unusual snacks compared to the average person. Pickle Juice You’re probably wondering why this is on my list when the blog is about the adventures of picky eating. Well, if you know me, you know that I am OBSESSED with pickles. Dill pickles are my comfort food at any occasion. You see me at a family event? I probably have a handful of pickles in my hand or even the jar. Not only do I eat the pickles, but I drink the juice. We can’t be wasteful here ;) I get a straw and stick it right in the jar to drink. Yeah, it’s probably weird. But I love the tart flavor of pickle juice and hey! It has a lot of electrolytes. Popcorn with Nacho Cheese This snack brings me back to high school football games...

Through my picky eating experiences, trying new foods has been a rather difficult time for me. (See blog Keep Calm and Don’t Eat the Food). But being a picky eater does have its downfalls. Since I have a particular set of foods that I eat, there isn’t much of a variety. As a result, eating the same foods all the time does get rather boring. So, slowly but surely, I have been attempting to branch out and try some new foods. The typical Kerstyn would only eat a burger with just cheese and ketchup or a sandwich with just lunch meat and bread. But, with that being said, here are some new sandwiches that I have enjoyed within the last year that everyone picky or not should try: Triple Bacon Burger Over the summer, my grandma was in town and we decided to go to Applebee’s. Well, one look at the menu and instant anxiety because I had no idea what on earth I was going to eat… that is when I saw it…the triple bacon burger. Bacon is one of my favorite foods so why not eat a burger...

Some may think that being a picky eater is just determining which foods one does/does not like. But I like to think that it is a little more intricate than that. It is not just about what tastes good and what doesn't. It's about the way it is placed together or even how it is plated that really gets my thoughts on an uproar. This blog I will walk you through my thought process as I order simplistic foods at restaurants. So, welcome to the life of Kerstyn where every food decision is as difficult as possible. PLATING Not only is the physical food an important part of every meal, but even the plating as an impact to a picky eater. Depending on how the meal is plated, I wouldn't even dare touch it. No food should be mixing on any circumstances. Buffets I am that one person that every dishwasher probably hates. Buffets are where my picky eating really tends to stand out due to the fact that I can prepare my dishes exactly how I would like them to be. Since buffets give ...

The one thing I think I hate more than restaurant dates is ordering food when traveling. The summer before my senior year, my dad gave me the opportunity to go adventuring for a little while… and what I mean by adventuring is I spent 19 days in Europe, exploring within the culture of five different countries. I was so excited for my trip that I completely forgot how hard it is for me to eat at home let alone in a different country. Since I was traveling on behalf of an ambassador program, the only food options I got was regular or the vegetarian option. As I started to consider the different types of food, I realized that I have to at least try the foods in front of me… I mean, this is a once in a life time adventure.  Salmon I know what you’re thinking… this is a typical meal even eaten in the U.S. I know. The difference is I am overseas therefore I have to try it. If anyone knows me, I do NOT eat anything that comes out of water and is fishy… Salmon is one of t...

We all have those awkward dates in high school. You know… the ones where you unsure what to wear, probably should order something small (don’t want to look like a piglet). Those dates that are absolutely NOT like the ones we see in the movies. Well, let me tell you…. I have a date to remember. It all started on my senior year in high school. My boyfriend at the time and I decided that we were going to go out to eat at a local Bar & Grill... (Apparently my usual chicken tenders weren’t good enough this time around). Keep in mind, dinner dates are a picky eater’s NIGHTMARE. We get the menus and that's where it all started to go downhill...I CAN'T ORDER CHICKEN NUGGETS. MY GO TO FOOD *sad face*. So, I am skimming the menu and think to myself, “There is no way in hell I can eat anything on this menu.”  Then, that’s when I spotted it… I am going to eat a chicken Caesar salad. If anyone has ever been out with me, you know how I order. So, ordering this salad was so...

Food is something that always brings people together - family functions, work events, social gatherings, etc.  From the outside looking in, picking eating is just a way for you to dictate what meals you eat and what restaurant we go to. It's a "waste" of a good restaurant because who goes to a fancy restaurant just to order chicken tenders? You're so hard to cook for. You're just one of those trying to make up useless phobias. Welcome to the life of Kerstyn, where comments like these are made daily.   Food is my favorite thing in the world. Like literally, I take four pound bags of snacks to class on a daily basis. But when it is out of the norm, I avoid it like the plague. Being a picky eater is like being trapped. Imagine being in a situation where your anxiety is so heightened that all you want to do is puke. Yes, it sounds ridiculous but it is out of my control. It is a never ending battle I have with something that many believe can be fixed with t...

Have you ever been on a date with someone who ordered a salad with no lettuce? What about dinner with that one friend who has a list of things they don't want... "Can I order a deli club with no Swiss, no cheddar, no mayo, and no tomato?" Well, welcome to the life of Kerstyn... where no meal is easy for anyone.   Being a picky eater used to be a huge struggle in my life. How it started? According to my mom, something along the lines of learning where pork chops come from when I was in first grade. How that worked out? I am unsure considering I am NOT vegetarian... just picky.  Many times I am questioned as to why I don't like my food touching or why cream cheese makes me gag - it's just the way it is. Zero explanation. However, I have determined that picky eaters are more successful individuals because we know exactly what we want in life, and we have had plenty of experience making sure we get it.  Please stay tuned as I take you through the journey...