For those who feel embarrassed about being a picky eater.
Today, I thought I'd like to try a Samurai Mac.
First, I opened my smartphone and searched, "What's in a Samurai Mac?"
This is my "daily routine."
Before ordering, I check what's inside.
I don't like onions.
Hamburgers are especially scary because you can't see what's inside. There are too many foods in this world that you can't judge just by looking at the outside.
For a picky eater, eating out starts with an investigation.
When I find a restaurant that looks good, I first look at the recommended menu. Then I zoom in on the images to check what ingredients it's made of.
This time, I asked an AI to do that investigation work. When I asked ChatGPT, "Can you search for the latest information on the Samurai Mac Roasted Soy Sauce Style Egg Bacon Thick Beef currently sold at McDonald's and generate an illustrated image of what's inside?", this is what came out.
I didn't ask for that much, but... I'm glad I checked. Sure enough,onionswere in it.
Since it was created by AI, I don't know if the information is accurate. The AI also added the McDonald's logo on its own.I didn't instruct it to. The Samurai Mac (without onions) was delicious.
Being a picky eater is embarrassing.
And at times like this, I always think, "This really is embarrassing, isn't it..."
Being a picky eater is nothing to be proud of. I think it's a hassle to continue like this for the rest of my life. It's embarrassing, and if I could be cured by hypnosis, I'd want to be.
People who aren't picky must think things like: "Selfish," "Weak," "Pathetic."
I feel uncomfortable whenever the topic of food comes up. It's always been that way.
Changing the perspective on being a picky eater
Hmm. I'm starting to feel a bit down. Let me change my perspective. I'll have AI reframe this for me.
Research the personality of someone who is a picky eater and reframe it!
Being "too sensitive" means you are a person who notices fine details.
Being "suspicious" means you have the ability to foresee risks.
Being "stubborn" means you have standards that you don't let others sway.
And, being a picky eater, in other words, means you know yourself well.
That feeling of being thought of as a "difficult person" every time I ate out. But that just meant I wasn't lying to my own senses.
I also looked into the mechanism behind being a picky eater.
Food preferences are strong memories created by the brain's "amygdala" linking taste with past unpleasant experiences. You become "picky" as a result of unconsciously learning that "this is dangerous."
This is called "conditioned taste aversion".
Choices based on likes and dislikes are also "defensive behaviors" to protect your safety. Your brain is just doing its job honestly.
That was all it was. It's unconscious, so it can't be helped.
To my fellow comrades who feel embarrassed about being picky eaters.
I have always hated myself for being a picky eater and for not being able to overcome it, but
first, I will start by learning to love myself as I am—a picky eater, someone who is a hassle, just as I am!
A day when I gained such an insight from ordering at McDonald's.
