This blog was written by Evelyn Martel, a student at The Greenspire School, as part of a class project called Food for Good. In this project, 11th and 12th grade students explore how food—and how we write about it—plays an incredibly important role in both our personal lives and our communities. Guided by Language Arts teacher Philip Girard, students draw inspiration from writers like Julia Child and Anthony Bourdain to shape their own food stories. Evelyn’s piece offers a thoughtful look into the world of picky eating, sharing personal insights on how simple accommodations can make all the difference.
The Picky Eater, Deconstructed
Written by Evelyn Martel
Do you know anyone you would describe as an extremely picky eater? It just so happens that I’m that person. I’ve been a picky eater for as long as I’ve been an eater, and along the way I’ve learned a lot about how people like me think. Mainly, at least for my type of picky eating, it focuses on simplicity and deconstruction of existing meals. For example, one of my favorite dishes is noodles with bacon and frozen peas on the side, which is, in essence, a deconstruction of pasta carbonara. Plainness also plays a large role in what I eat. When I order a burger, all I want is a plain burger without any toppings.
Because of this, most people I know see me as a kind of chore that they have to deal with whenever they make food, which is true to an extent. My taste in food is very simple, and it can be annoying to base dishes around. The list of plain and simple foods I eat is quite small. However, if you know someone like me, it generally isn’t incredibly difficult to accommodate us.
First, you’ll want to ask your picky eater what foods they are able to eat. Speaking from experience, this is one of the nicest things you can do for someone like me. Don’t assume they’ll be able to eat whatever you serve. Next, you’ll want to set aside a few ingredients before cooking a complicated dish. For example, if you are making lasagna, you could set aside some noodles for any picky eaters before assembling it into the full dish. Finally, remember that making an effort means a lot to people like me, and even if you don’t do it perfectly, being able to offer them something to eat at all is important.
Accommodating an especially picky eater can be challenging, but it’s just part of being a gracious host. Remember that communication is important, as well as not seeing them as a burden. They’re a guest or a child or a friend or a student too. They just have different preferences, and making sure they have things to eat is important for their well-being.
