New Foods, New You

Are you looking for new, creative ways to meet your healthy lifestyle New Year’s resolution? Challenge yourself to try new foods in 2018! Regardless of how old you are, it is possible to discover new foods or a new liking for a food you may have thought you didn’t enjoy!

Follow these three, simple steps to meet the challenge!

new-year-new-food-fruitMix it up:

Foods often take on very different flavors depending on how they are prepared or what they are prepared with. This is especially true for vegetables, which most of us should be resolving to eat more of. For example, raw spinach in a salad has a very different flavor that sautéed spinach! Texture can also change with preparation and can be a big factor in whether or not we enjoy a food. Some people like the crunch of a raw carrot but can’t stand the soft feel of a cooked carrot, and some people are vice versa! Flavor combinations will also have a big impact on whether or not we like a specific food. Giving different herbs, spices and sauces a try with the various foods you are cooking could be a game changer in the kitchen!

Try, try and try again:

You have more than likely heard the idea of exposing children to food multiple times before deciding that they do or don’t like it. This same approach can work with adults as well! Don’t give up on a food the first time you try it, however tempting that may seem. Simply becoming more exposed to and familiar with a food may increase the changes that you will like it. It is also important to remember that factors beyond flavor can impact your reaction to a food – the setting, the way the food was prepared, the way the food is presented and even who you are with may influence your preferences!

Make it social:

Achieving a goal is often much more fun and attainable if you do it with friends! Gather a group and start a tasting club. Challenge yourselves to try a certain number of new foods each month and meet to share new dishes with one another! If it doesn’t become your new favorite, there may be something else that you prefer!

This year, if you find something new that you like, share your discovery on social media with #NewFoodNewMe! Search the same hashtag to discover what new foods other people are loving!

Looking for support in your healthy eating resolution?

Western Missouri Medical Center’s registered dietitians are here to support your dietary needs and goals. Learn more about Western Missouri Medical Center’s Clinical Nutrition program today and discuss your options with your primary care provider.

This information is brought to you by Morrison Healthcare. Morrison Healthcare is Western Missouri Medical Center’s choice for healthy eating information and catering in the Courtyard Café and for patients.