Growing up as a picky eater, I always dreaded Thanksgiving. The stuffing was always soggy, the turkey was way too dry and pumpkin pie tasted way too much like a candle. I was also way too scared to offend anyone by not liking their food. Unfortunately, these issues still plague me now as a 19-year-old. However, through the years I have found ways to make Thanksgiving and all the food enjoyable!
I know first-hand that trying something new can be terrifying. But, if you try something new in combination with something you know you like, it becomes much easier! For example, I was always scared to try cranberry sauce growing up. Then, one year, I decided to be brave and just put a little bit of it on my turkey. For some reason, it made the idea of trying something new much more bearable. Even though I actually found out that I did not like cranberry sauce, I was very proud of myself for even trying. The best thing about Thanksgiving food is that it all kind of goes together so you can’t really make a bad choice. (Ross Geller’s Thanksgiving Moist Maker sandwich anyone?)
While it may feel totally alienating to be the only picky eater at a Thanksgiving table, try and share your fears and worries with your friends and family. While they may not share the same sentiments as you do, they will most likely try to help and accommodate you. Every year, my extended family would only make pumpkin pies. But when it was brought to their attention that I did not particularly care for them, they were excited to make me something I would enjoy! Now, every year, it is a tradition to bring an array of pies!
The biggest piece of advice I have is to make and bring your own food to dinner! That way you will have something at the table that you will enjoy and others get to try something new! My personal favorite thing to bring is homemade bread rolls and a silk chocolate pie. You don’t even need to adhere to traditional Thanksgiving food. One of my friends brought a homemade lasagna to Friendsgiving and it was everyone’s favorite dish of the night. Honestly, people will just be happy to have even more on their table!
The best part of Thanksgiving is getting to be around the people you love and enjoy your time together. It may be hard to do so while being worried about your food options, but it is so important to advocate for yourself. Those that love you will want to help you out, even if that means straying from the holiday traditions. After all, isn’t being in the kitchen with your family making dinner much more enjoyable? Additionally, try not to worry about it too much and instead focus on the short time we have with our loved ones before finals week. I know it took me years to finally be comfortable at a Thanksgiving table, but I know that it is possible.
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