Hey there, I am a 31 year old female, and I'm happily married to my husband. We don't have any kids just so you know. I have been a picky eater for all of my life, and texture is a HUGE thing for me. Also, I won't try many foods based on sight alone because the texture looks wrong. It's so stressful especially when I went abroad for my senior year in college to Spain. As you know, Spain is a foodie kind of country where they want you to eat eat eat and eat more! It's always stressful going to peoples' houses for dinner if I don't know what they're serving. My family has always picked on me about it. I ate baby food as a side until I was like 10; my favorite was the plum formula. My uncle thought it was SO funny to joke and say I was eating ketchup because it was similar in color and texture. How does a kid respond to that? Also, even now, when my family jokes about it, they get a bit miffed when I get defensive and say I don't like those jokes. I try not to be oversensitive, but it's a touchy thing for me. How do you respond? Maybe with some self-awareness? My dad also tells me to eat fruit and veggies, and I keep telling him telling me is never going to work because of how this picky eating works.

Also, I didn't come to know texture was a major player until a few years ago. I'm hypersensitive to texture, and while it would serve you if you found a bone among fish or chicken you were eating (which I have), it's not great when it's severely limiting. Anyone feel this way too? I feel like a child going to restaurants, and if I have a specific request, I'll just tell the server I'm picky as a disclaimer because they act so shocked when I don't want many common things and question me. Yes, Sharon, I'm VERY sure I don't want onions or lettuce on my burger! Lol! I don't want to have to explain myself when I'm trying to relax and eat. So, I'll just say, "just so you know, I'm picky." I find some self-awareness helps people understand where you're coming from at least a tiny bit more. Instead of hiding it, I'm now making it a disclaimer, and if someone has an issue with it, tough tacos, I can't change it. There's freedom in letting go. It still doesn't mean being a picky eater is very stressful.

Another question, are there some of you who are picky eaters, and you have digestive issues with bloating, constipation and belly pain? I know much of mine stems from my poor diet, but how do I mitigate it better while being realistic?