10 Most Hated: Try These Unloved Foods Again

If you're holding on to any of your food aversions from the days when you hung Tiger Beat posters on your wall, it's time to let go of your fears and give those hated foods another try. After all, a finicky eater at 4 is pretty typical but a picky eater at 40 comes off as a bit...high-maintenance.

As we age, our palates mature and become less sensitive and many of the foods that seemed so icky when we were young become far more approachable; even loved. Your taste buds also change every 5 to 7 years, so maybe your new taste buds will enjoy a flavor your old ones didn't.

If you're still not convinced to give those unloved foods another try, consider that everything on our list of 10 Most Hated Foods comes with some sort of substantial health benefit. With the right preparation and ingredients, even the most off-putting foods can become a new favorite.

Broccoli

This divisive little green "tree" was publicly dissed by President George Bush and Seinfeld's Newman, who referred to the beleaguered vegetable as a "vile weed." But the nutritional benefits of broccoli mean it is well worth giving a second try. Broccoli is packed with vitamin C, iron and fiber, not to mention compounds that have been shown to fight off cancer.

Don't try to mask the flavor of broccoli by smothering it with gobs of melted cheese, as you'll somewhat negate the health benefits by coating it in all that fat and cholesterol. Instead, try lightly steaming broccoli so that it retains a bit of a crunch. Toss with a few dashes of teriyaki and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, and you've got a delicious, healthful side. Steamed broccoli is a great topping for baked potatoes, or you can shred raw broccoli and add it to your favorite slaw.