Hi All,
Like Bob I am one of the older adult picky eaters (68). I can remember being taken to the doctor at age 6 and my mom told the doctor he only eats Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Milk. The doctor of course said he'll out grow it! NOT.
The food is about the same as many of you. Hamburg, potato, chips, milk, breads, pop, limited fruits, no veggies, chicken, turkey, and of course the grilled cheese sandwich. It has saved many a day! Surprisingly I found my very favorite meal is a buffalo burger. Tastes great and its very lean. Definitely lots of gagging in my life too.
I do on occasion in the privacy of my own house try a new food. Usually it just tastes like cardboard! Once in a while it works though. For quite a while now I've just come clean with people who I am eating with and tell them that I am an Adult Picky Eater and tell them to look it up on the internet. For a long time I just treat the situation with humor such as I never have to write down my grocery list! No one who knows me asks for a restaurant recommendation. Don't need much refrigerator or cupboard space. Don't waste time watching food shows. Have never had to go on a diet (only 10lbs over my high school football weight). All my cooking utensils fit in the drainer, and of course I am a cheap date.
My sister (15 yrs younger) had the same problems but to a much lesser degree. She has pretty much grown out of them. My daughter does not have the problem. Was married but divorced now but it wasn't the food that was the problem. Dating is definitely a headache but I tell women up front the first time we go to a restaurant about my food problems. Honesty is usually the best policy.
Not worried about getting fat since you can only stand the same food items so many times.
The big surprise for me is that I have be very healthy my whole life. Part of it I believe is because that I am very active physically and have always been that way. I still walk five miles a day and swim laps daily. I take an iron pill and get a B-12 shot quarterly. My advice is stay active in life, mix with people, and be honest with them. Find the humor in life. Don't let it get you down. There are people with so many worse burdens. If you get depressed get active and talk to someone about anything. Be well
PS, My on-line dating name was cookieman!