☆Ways To Retain Your Taste Buds:

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■Give another chance to foods you think you hate 》 Taste buds typically become less sensitive w/ age, which allows you to enjoy foods that once tasted too strong or bitter, like Brussel Sprouts, olives, or turnips.

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■Pair foods you dislike with those you love 》 For example: If you're agnostic about beets, but you like nut cheeses & walnuts, toss them all in a Kale or Arugula salad. Experts use this conditioning strategy "called flavor-flavor learning” to help kids eat their veggies.

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■Make small swaps 》 Switching to whole and/or ancient grains is easier when you gradually replace processed grains. For example: Blend 1/3 wild rice & 2/3 white or brown rice; over time, you can adjust the ratio until you eat 100 percent wild rice.

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■Give it time 》 Cultivating a taste for certain foods may require repeated exposure. For example: Research from the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that when people consumed a bittersweet beverage once each day for a week, they wound up liking it 68% more than they did initially.

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■Educate yourself 》 It's important to give yourself reasons to like foods with flavors you don't naturally love. If you learn about, say, why kale is so good for you because it's loaded with fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron, & other plant compounds you'll be more motivated to try & like it.

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■Turn off a craving 》 When your sweet tooth starts demanding sugar, stop the craving by eating a food w/ a contrasting flavor, like 1/2 grapefruit or a sour/bitter orange or switch to a palate-cleansing flavor, like mint.

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■Limit flavors in a single meal 》 Having too many choices at one time can stimulate your appetite & cause you to overeat. When you limit the variety in a given meal, you're more likely to feel full sooner. Stick to 1 entrée & 2 small sides.

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