Hate Chia? Cant Stand Kombucha? Youll Live

Chia seeds in your pudding. Seaweed in your salad. Collard greens in your juice. To many health gurus, these sound like mouthwatering delicacies, while to others they can be overwhelming and downright disgusting. As a registered dietitian, I'm not sure if I've trained myself to love these eccentric foods or if I truly enjoy the taste. The fact is I do enjoy most of them. (Most being the operative word). But this certainly doesn't mean that every new health food trend is for everyone. Even I can't stomach all of them (I'm lookin' at you kombucha).

The thing is, incorporating these foods into your diet is not only challenging but near paralyzing if you don't have a taste for them. So who says you have to? You don't! Don't like chia? The sun will still rise tomorrow. You shouldn't force yourself to chow down on something you hate just because it's the current "it" superfood. So if you just can't swallow these new health trends, we're giving you permission to skip them—guilt-free. Check out how you can still reap the benefits of these health-tastic foods while actually enjoying what you eat:

Cheat on Chia
It can't be denied that chia seeds are having a moment right now, and for good reason: These babies are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids and they're a great source of fiber. But if you don't care for these seeds or their gooey consistency, you're probably tired of hearing about it. Luckily, they aren't the only food with these health properties. A scrumptious salmon dinner with steamed broccoli or even a handful of walnuts gives you almost all of the same benefits as chia. So if you think these seeds are for the birds, you can stop pinching your nose to throw them back. Click here for more ways to sneak fiber into your diet.

Say No to Nori
The seaweed craze has been hitting hard and heavy among health-food lovers. This gem is loaded with iron and antioxidants, plus it has anti-inflammatory and antiviral benefits. But don't feel pressured to eat seaweed in order to achieve some sort of higher health status. Just swap it for some slightly less potent leafy greens like spinach for similar benefits. You can also add dried fruit (sans sugar) on top of your Greek yogurt to get a dose of these minerals without the aftertaste you hate.

Stop Guilt-Gulping Green Tea
It's easy to see why health gurus endorse this stuff. Green tea has a high content of antioxidants and catechins that do wonders when it comes to protecting your cells from oxidative stress. It also reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease and may boost metabolism. I recommend two cups per day. But if you find it bitter and unappetizing, you can swap it for white tea, which is still loaded with polyphenols but with a much softer taste. Plus, white tea is also being studied for the same metabolism-boosting benefits. If you're just not a tea person (hey, no judgment!), you can get many of the same benefits from dark red fruits like blackberries, red grapes, cherries, and raspberries. Ah, sweet success.

Pass on Wheat Grass
Green juices are all the rage, and wheat grass is pretty much a must-have ingredient. It's loaded with iron, calcium, amino acids and vitamins A, C and E. And while green juices are a stellar way to maximize your nutrient intake, you may not be into drinking your salads—and there's no shame in that. Just have the real deal, like a delicious kale salad with roasted red peppers, artichokes, sprouts, broccoli and maybe even some flaxseed for an added crunch. This super-healthy meal will pack a similar nutrient-dense punch. You can also try these delicious spinach smoothies you might actually enjoy.

Killer Kombucha.
And so we've reached...Kombucha, my dietary foe. No doubt this lively drink is loaded with probiotics that aide in immunity and digestion—it's just not something I can bring myself to digest! I'm not sure whether it's the taste, the slimy texture, the mother waiting for me at the bottom of the bottle, or all three. Personally, my probiotic powerhouses are fermented cabbage (sauerkraut), pickles, olives and kefir. I make an effort to get these foods in so I can reap the rewards without having to sip on this stuff.

Hey, it's always a good idea to try new things—especially nutrient-packed superfoods—but that doesn't mean you have to love everything. So if you're not particularly amped about chia seeds, just go ahead and skip them for something equally healthy that doesn't make you gag. We won't judge.

MORE: The Newest Superfood that Helps You Live Longer

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