Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Foods People Love That They Hated As Kids Because Their Parents Made It Wrong

roast turkey in an oven on a broiler pan

roast turkey in an oven on a broiler pan

Some people just aren't going to like certain foods—whether it's the taste or the texture, sometimes a food just isn't for you.

But many of us grow up thinking that we absolutely don't like a certain food, only to discover that we actually like it a lot... just not the way our family made it.

I was 17 years old before I found out that I actually really like pork chops, just not when they're cooked to within an inch of becoming shoe leather and served with whatever can of vegetables happened to be pulled from the cupboard. Hamburger Helper actually isn't too bad either, when you don't add whatever random leftovers you need to use in place of hamburger.


A Redditor asked:

"What Food Did You Hate As A Child Because Of The Way It Was Prepared Only To Find Out As An Adult It Was Amazing When Made Correctly?"

Steak Should Not Be Rubbery

"I didn’t understand the fuss around steak when I was a kid, but then I realized it was because my very neurotic mother would cook me and my brothers’ pieces to well done and beyond because she was so afraid of us getting food poisoning. Her heart was in the right place, but she didn’t need to serve us shoe leather haha."

- T3canolis

"Same! It got to be that I normalized chewing steak, then spitting it into my napkin. I literally couldn't chew it enough to swallow it."

- lazyMarthaStewart

Eggplant Can Be Amazing

"Eggplant. Pan fried it was nasty and then I traumatized myself by getting rid of it by burying it in the flower bed by the front door and all the flowers died. Husband uses like a pancake batter and it's great"

- Flimsy-Attention-722

"My mother never salted the eggplant, so it was always, always bitter. Her eggplant parm was disgusting."

- dramboxf

Definitely Not The Same Thing

"'Mayo' Didn't realize there was a difference between Miracle Whip and Mayo and my Mom only bought Miracle Whip."

- monstertots509

"I grew up in a miracle whip house as well. When I had mayo on a burger for the first time as a teenager it was glorious."

- myystic78

"Growing up we only had salad dressing (not even miracle whip). When I got out on my own I went to Mayo. Funny enough though, I got sick of mayo and am now a Miracle Whip man."

- natterca

Those Poor Pot Roasts

"Pot roast, I hated how dry and flavorless it was. I actually wrote an essay about it in my English class. The teacher showed it to my mom and she changed up her recipe lol"

- UninsuredToast

"My friend’s mom makes pot roast by putting a slab of meat and potatoes in a pot of water and boiling it for eternity. No wonder they hate it. Pot roast is my favorite food"

- JoyfulCelebration

Vegetables Are Allowed To Have Texture

"Vegetables. All of them basically, my mom would boil them to sludge every time."

- Cordolium102

"My mom did that with Brussels sprouts. I always thought they were the most disgusting vegetable. Now as an adult and having learned different ways to cook them, I really like them."

- ForwardMembership601

"Shredded, and really quickly stir fried with garlic and chilli! Yum"

"Boiled till they were grey was probably nor the best introduction"

- niamhweking

Pork Can Be Tasty

"Pork chops and steaks were sh*t until i realized they should not actually be prepared for use in the NHL. I love my mom dearly and for that, I must keep her out of the kitchen for her safety and that of the world."

- PrivatePigpen

"Came here to say pork chops. Bone-in and gross shake-n-bake + overcooked AF from the 80s = I never wanted pork again in my life. My how my eyes were opened as an adult! Love my mom dearly too but dear god, there wasn’t enough applesauce in the world to fix those!"

- gdigital36

Spinach Is Amazing

"Spinach. My dad would only eat canned spinach that was then boiled. Found out later that fresh spinach is a wonderfully flavorful green and is best either crisp, or cooked until slightly wilted."

- Emerilion

"It's great on pizza too. My first experience with it being canned kept me away from it for so long."

- rabidjellybean

Meatloaf Isn't Always Bad

"Meatloaf. My parents were in love with a specific teriyaki sauce they bought in 2 gallon jugs from Costco and drowned an otherwise plain lump of ground beef with and called that a teriyaki glazed meatloaf... it oughta be a crime."

"Flash forward to my seasoned beef/pork mix with italian herbs, parmesan, and just the right amount of a sweet/spicy tomato glaze and it's just a different world we live in."

- redkat85

Real Lasagna is King

"Turns out Lasagna is much better than nasty burnt Stouffers."

-Kyser_

"My issue with lasagna is by the time you get all the ingredients it's cheaper to buy a frozen one. And they are usually pretty good if you bake them."

- Braydee7

Asparagus Is Great, Unless It's Out Of A Can

"Daughter of depression era parents here: grew up with a lot of canned/tinned vegetables. Jesus, canned asparagus is tough, sinewy and slimy all at the same time. Freshly steamed with a pat of butter is amazing! Even now when I mention it's one of our favorites, my older relatives gasp and say 'you buy it out of season?' like we're billionaires."

- usexpatlurker

"Tossed in toasted sesame oil, spread on a baking sheet, and add fresh ground salt and pepper. Oooooooooh so good!"

- Charlie24601

Stories like these show why it's important to try foods you think you don't like. It might just have been the way it was cooked when you tried it the first time.

More from Trending

Hulk Hogan
WWE/Getty Images

MAGA Fan Hulk Hogan Greeted With Chorus Of Boos During WWE Debut On Netflix

Former pro wrestler and MAGA fan Hulk Hogan was widely mocked after being heavily booed by fans during WWE's Monday Night Raw when it premiered on Netflix while plugging his Real American Beer brand.

Hogan, rumored to be making an appearance, entered the arena roughly two and a half hours into the show to the sound of his iconic walk-out song, “Real American.” Accompanied by Jimmy Hart, Hogan was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd as he promoted his beer and praised the WWE for its partnership with Netflix.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jean Smart
ohn Nacion/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images

Jean Smart Sparks Debate With Idea For How To Raise Money Amid Devastating L.A. Wildfires

Actor Jean Smart shared a bold approach to raising funds for first responders and families affected by the fires that continue to rage throughout Los Angeles.

Smart, who recently won her second Golden Globe award for the Max comedy-dramaHacks, took to Instagram and wrote:

Keep ReadingShow less
The Cast Of 'School Of Rock' Just Reunited For The Wedding Of Two Of The Film's Young Stars
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The Cast Of 'School Of Rock' Just Reunited For The Wedding Of Two Of The Film's Young Stars

Weddings: one of the places where folks from your backgrounds can get together, meet one another, catch up with family, and....sing a song in tribute to the hit movie the couple were in as kids?

Okay, that last one might be just for Angelo Massagli and Caitlin Hale, who were in the movie School of Rock in 2003 together. They played school kids to Jack Black's oddball and inspirational teacher, and many of the cast were in attendance at the wedding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lady Gaga
Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Lady Gaga Thanks Fans With 'Grateful' Video After Scoring History-Making Number One Song

Pop music sensation Lady Gaga shared a humble message of gratitude after she hit a major milestone

The song “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, which was released on August 16, 2024, just hit number on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week dated January 11, 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Gavin Newsom; Donald Trump
CNN; Scott Olson/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Shames Trump For 'Politicizing' Los Angeles Fires In Powerful Clip

After President-elect Donald Trump spread lies about the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, blaming California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for the destruction, Newsom addressed the matter on CNN, telling Anderson Cooper that Trump "wanted to politicize" the disaster even as people flee and lose their lives.

Deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County remain largely uncontained, with officials reporting at least five confirmed fatalities so far. However, on Thursday, authorities admitted, “frankly, we don’t know” the true extent of the death toll. Evacuation orders are currently affecting nearly 180,000 residents, as thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed.

Keep ReadingShow less