The foods we eat regularly now were once brand new to us and, like the child in the above example, perhaps we were unsure whether they would taste good. But we tried and found out that yes, some new foods are actually really good. It pays to be experimental with flavors.

The next time you go to the grocery store, select some fruits and vegetables you haven’t cooked before, and check online to see how they are prepared. If you usually have chicken and potatoes, switch the chicken for turkey. If you have avoided Brussels sprouts for years because they are ‘mushy’ when boiled, then try sautéing them in a little olive oil and adding cayenne pepper.

There is no point trying to force yourself to like something you simply don’t like. If you have always hated mushrooms, you aren’t suddenly going to like them now. The key is to expand your repertoire by finding new foods to like, and new ways to cook old favorites. Take a leap of faith and try something new, at least once a week.