What is an openminded eater? I would define an openminded eater as someone who is willing to try foods they have never eaten, food combinations they think are unusual, and flavors they are unfamiliar with. We all have our own conceptions of what is considered "normal" food. This might be specific foods we think are usual, combinations we are familiar with, methods of cooking we often use, and flavors we are used to pairing together. When we only eat these foods, we are limiting what we can enjoy.
The openminded eater is ready to challenge all of those preconceptions of "normal." Because of that, the openminded eater will end up with a longer list of foods they eat and enjoy, ultimately leading to more pleasurable and enjoyable food experiences. The openminded eater often has an easier time adjusting their eating pattern to meet their health needs, because they have a higher internal willingness to try new things. The openminded eater will try new meal ideas when they can.
New Meal Ideas for the Openminded Eater
Try oatmeal prepared with the spices you would use on savory grains
Have bulgur and lentils for breakfast
Eat some tinned fish with toast
Use tofu as your meal's protein--marinate it well and roast or fry it
Prepare turkey legs as you would chicken legs
Make a protein shake with tofu as your protein source instead of protein powder
Try alternate nut and seed butters: almond butter, cashew butter, mixed nut butter, or sun butter
Use any other grain rather than rice with your dinner--try farro, buckwheat, barley, or steel cut oats
Drizzle tahini on your roasted vegetables
Roast vegetables you usually don't roast--rutabaga, cabbage wedges, mushrooms, carrots, or beets
Try a new salad green--green leaf lettuce, Boston bibb lettuce, red leaf lettuce, arugula, or endive
Bake chicken with that spice mix you have seen at the store and never tried
Put feta cheese on crackers and top with olives
Eating New Food For Meals
It is very possible that for some of my readers, these foods and meals ideas are not new or unusual. You might eat these foods regularly or be very open to trying them. I'd love to hear what new or unusual foods you have tried and enjoyed. Please share!
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