Do you detest a salad? You’re not alone. Many folks out there can’t bear the idea of munching on vegetables. But with 81% of us recognising that consuming more veggies is advantageous for our well-being, perhaps it’s time to reconsider.

It transpires that our distaste for veggies might be linked to our evolutionary past. In times of scarcity, our ancestors were hardwired to seek out energy-rich foods that were sweet or savoury, rather than bitter. This means that even though veggies are chock-full of vital nutrients, our taste buds aren’t exactly on board with their bitter taste.

But fret not, because our taste buds are more adaptable than we realise. By repeatedly exposing ourselves to bitter foods such as veggies, we can actually train our brains to tolerate them. It’s akin to acquiring a taste for a new genre of music – it takes time, but it’s achievable.

And if concealing the bitterness of veggies is what you need to begin relishing them, there are numerous ways to do it. Adding salt, fat, heat, and even pairing them with foods you already enjoy can help make veggies more agreeable. After all, it’s better to relish your veggies with a sprinkle of salt or dressing than to skip them altogether.

Another thing to bear in mind is that our perception of taste can be influenced by our prejudices. We tend to assume that healthy foods won’t taste good, which might impact how we experience the flavour of veggies. But if we can shake off that assumption, we might discover that veggies are more enjoyable than we realised.

So if you’ve been shunning your greens, perhaps it’s time to give them another chance. It’s all about being kind to yourself and understanding that everyone is on their own taste-training journey. After all, we’re all just trying to make friends with salad.