When I was diagnosed with Crohns several years ago, I had to significantly change how I ate. I am a huge fan of spicy food, which is not my friend since my diagnosis. I have to monitor what I eat and ensure if I am going to eat something "bad" that I am home for the evening. That said, I had to learn to love fruits and vegetables, and even became vegan for a while out of default. At first, I had to force myself to try new foods, or else I would have been eating a very limited array of food. As I began trying new things, I really began to love fruits and veggies, to the point that now they are my go-to snack. When I fell off the wagon, so to say, last year due to work and stress, I really saw a change in my health, complexion, and overall demeanor.
Some tips I think will help others are to look for recipes that contain the fruits and veggies you would like to try. At first, try casserole dishes for new veggies, as they hide the taste a bit. Then slowly work your way into trying them alone. For example, at first I had to eat asparagus as part of a great chicken, broccoli, asparagus, and cheese dish. Slowly I was able to remove the chicken, remove the cheese, and finally the broccoli. Then I learned to broil, steam, and saute the asparagus. Now I even love it steamed and then eaten in a wrap a little cold!
I believe changing your eating habits is not an overnight thing, but with the right recipes and support you will be able to do it. Spark Recipes from Spark People, All Recipes, and Post Punk Kitchen provide some wonderful recipes to start enjoying new, healthier dishes.
