I need to eat better... help!

[Missyroar]

So, I haven't exactly had the best diet in my life. I've just been blessed with an awesome metabolism - for now.

I'm 20 yo female, 110 lbs. I eat absolute GARBAGE but I can't stop.

My coworker made me feel like crap today when I popped open a can of ravioli to microwave. It really hit me in the head.

Here's my problem... I don't like fruits or veggies. It's more of a texture thing than anything else but I literally can't get myself to eat them. I cut open an apple the other day and nearly gagged from trying to chew it.

I know my metabolism won't stay fast for long, and I fear that I will have many health conditions as I age.

I know I have an addiction to sugar, but I don't even know where to start. It's gotten me really down, and I'm tired of feeling like crap because of the food I eat. I've cut down on eating out so I know that's a start... I just can't afford anything right now. All I can afford is canned ravioli and lunchables....

do anyone have any advice on:

how i can slowly cut my sugar intake
how I can introduce fruits and veggies into my diet
how I can basically stop eating garbage

your help is so much appreciated.

[Paxiled]

No, never got the appeal of Spam, and of course I grew up to forgo pork.  I did love that Chef Boyardee canned ravioli, though -- but probably because I was always camping and it's easy car camping food.

[gymdandee]

Pax, canned ravioli! I bet you liked Spam! :>)

[Paxiled]

I could swear I posted an answer to this question, but alas, it's not here.  If I can remember what I said, I started by saying that the best way to change your diet is to change it permanently, as a positive thing, not as something negative where you're cutting things out and doing things you don't like.  The second thing is, if you buy organically grown vegetables I think you'll find you like not only the taste better because they use seeds bred for flavor whereas conventionally grown food uses seeds bred for selling purposes, you'll also like the texture better.  And texture depends on how you prepare your vegetables.  I hated bananas until someone pushed an organic banana on me, and now I love them.  It's amazing how much naturally sweeter organic is.  Greens such as kale also cook up to be much more tender.  If you start hanging out in a good health foods store and watch and listen to what people are doing, you'll feel more a part of a community and that makes it easier and more fun.  If you buy your beans and grains and nuts organic and in bulk, they aren't that expensive, and that can of ravioli isn't as cheap as you seem to think -- I know because I used to have quite a thing for canned ravioli!  Now, good food isn't ever going to be cheap, but it's food and more important than other things you probably don't think about spending a lot of money on, such as a smartphone.  Good luck.

[gymdandee]

You don’t necessarily have to eat them! Vegetables and fruits can easily be blended and made into sauces, stews and grates. You can also steam, grill, barbecue and roast vegetables as this allows them to give a different flavor. Find different recipes where vegetables can be mixed with different ingredients and spices like rice, chicken and meat. Make pasta or casserole using different vegetables to ensure that you are able to eat them.

How about you start eating fruits and vegetables along with the foods that you love. This is one of the oldest tricks used by mothers to make their children eat their food. If you like yogurt pancakes, waffle batter omelets then why not mix vegetables and fruits in the fray. Make delicious fruit salads or different recipes along with your favorite dishes to make a mouthwatering serving for yourself.

Try smoothies if you don’t like vegetables. Smoothies are delicious and will alter the taste completely. A lot of people can tolerate drinking fresh juice since it negates the flavors of those vegetables and fruits. Many vegetables have incredibly different tastes when made into juices and you can even dilute them with water to ensure that their tastes are completely altered.
If you check my journal you can find many smoothies listed