Dehydrator food = yuck?

[GreenSky]

Not to start a war or anything :) But is there something wrong with me for not liking dehydrated food? I'm sure there's others who don't but for myself I just can't get into the taste. I hate (yes a strong word) the taste of flax crackers or any dehydrated "bread/cracker" that I've made/tried. Dehydrated eggplant made me almost want to vomit, no matter how many different ways I tried making it/eating it. Cookies, I much prefer eating the dough raw as it is - tastes much better in my opinion.

I know dehydrated foods are a big part of the "transition" foods. I'm transitioning, shouldn't I like these? Am I weird? Am I just not making the right dehydrated recipes?

I think also, "simple raw" is more in line with who I am and what I want to accomplish. Not that food prep is the reason I don't like dehydrated food, it's definitely the tastes I don't like.

I'm not trying to be a jerk to those that love dehydrated foods, just trying to better understand what I might be missing? I'm of the assumption right now that it's just not right for me. This worries me however as I'm scared of getting bored of Raw without the dehydrated or complex meals.

Thoughts?

[puffysmom]

I am having a hard time with dehydrated foods also but I think it is our individual taste buds. I made the onion bread but it has to strong of an onion flavor so next time I will use leeks or less onion. I dont care for the kind of slimy texture that flax seeds dehydrated in crackers and breads is like but I plan on making more and just substituting. My sweet potatos did not turn out right but I know they were to thick. I love dehydrated zuccini. Yum. I made corn bread and dont care for it but I did not have a decent food processor at the time and next time will add more to it. I think seasonings would be a great start with a lot of them. I love garlic. Trying to get more of a garlic flavor in crackers and breads is hard but I am not ready to give up. NOt for a long long time.

I think if u try to figure out what it is u dont like about it and then substitute some other ground up seed for it u will find that it can be delishious. I have only been using mine a few weeks and have only had a few things come out the way i like it. I make the coconut macaroons and they were in to long so they r hard but very delicious.

I also find that some of the desserts that dont have to be dehydrated r great so make those instead.

[Veganforlife]

I don't think there's anything wrong with not liking dehydrated foods. It's a personal preference thing. I don't like the "dairy" type foods, like the alfredo type foods, reminds me of cheese and dairy too much and I can't eat it.
Just eat raw of what you do like. It's your body, it's your choice.

[Ama]

I think it's fine that you don't like dehydrated foods. Better for you in my opinion as the dehydration is taking out liquids that are beneficial. I would love to just live simply on fresh fruits, veggies and nuts but I LOVE dehydrated foods, too much! I say go with your gut and eat what you like. There are just as many recipes for fresh raw foods as there are for dehydrated, I don't think you'll get bored.

[Sharon in Colorado]

As well you should.

I've personally tried hundreds of dehydrated recipes, where only a few have passed the taste test of my family. I've compiled a few favorites, but all in all they prefer the taste of fresh fruits, smoothies and salads for the most part.

It's really not a natural way to eat, but some coming from the SAD find it comforting as a transitional tool.

No need to try and get used to it, if you don't care for it all the better, stick with the fresh stuff, it's easier on your body.

[RowanC]

You might try grinding your flax in a coffee mill and adding it that way. There are several great recipes that don't use much flax also.

Dehydrated foods are not a large part of my diet. I have found two or three various types of cracker/bread I like. It's also perfectly fine to "tweak" those bread and cracker recipes until you come up with something you like. The main goal is to find something you can use instead of bread for sandwiches and to dip with.

I don't like any of the dehydrated potato recipes. I use my dehydrator mainly for crackers and breads. Have you tried the medeterranean bread recipe? Try it without the herbs and maybe substitute something more bland for some of the tomatoes. I've grown to love it. Tastes a lot like a whole grain bread.

The first cracker I made had flax and lots of tomatoes and it was gross to me.
I didn't care for the onion bread either, but I hate wasting so I kept it and tried it with guacamole and actually liked it! I just used it to dip with.

Anyway.. the key is to experiment until you find what you like. Maybe you're just a salad person! :)

[GreenSky]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think rather than trying to learn to appreciate dehydrated foods I'll just proceed directly to fresh. I just feel like I'm missing out on some wonderful foods I have to agree with Sharon in that eating dehydrated food just didn't feel like a natural way to eat (for me). It was almost the same experience as eating cooked food, which is why I understand people transitioning do it.

It's almost like when I was Vegan. I never ate those fake "meats", ect. I was trying to get away from eating meat why would I want to eat something that resembeled meat? Gross. I'm trying to get away from cooked food so I don't feel the desire to eat things that resemble cooked food, nor do I like the taste apparently.

Anyway, best wishes to everyone in the way they choose to eat that's right for their body. I think listening to your body and what it needs is the best piece of advice I've ever heard.

[Ariannah]

Another freshie here....
I own a big dehydrator and can count on one hand how many times I've used it in the year I've had it.

For me the whole point of raw is - natural, as-is, unaltered. I find raw to be the perfect diet for EVERYONE. It's as simple or as gourmet as people want. A person can simply pick from the vine and chow down, or make a fancy feast. I tend to be the former. I'm the ultimate food slacker. I like it low-maintenance. Also, the taste of fresh satisfies me more.

[Morn]

I have found very few dehydrated recipes I like. One exception is making raw grawnola. It has oatgroats, nuts, apples, cinnamon, etc. I love that. But I have failed at so many recipes that I get worn out of spending so much time soaking, sprouting, dehydrating just to find out I can't stand the recipe and then I end up throwing it out. I am with you on the flax issue. The first time I made flax crackers they were awful! I just bought some at Good Foods that were raw and they were passable (not wonderful). I just use them to dip for hummus. I know flax seeds are good for you so I am trying to eat them. Anyway I would say the majority of my diet is fresh smoothies, salads, fresh fruit, nuts, etc. I figure I will keep experimenting and maybe eventually I will change my mind. But overall I agree with you.

[Frog]

I've never used my dehydrator (someone gave it to me).

I just can't be bothered to make something now to eat tomorrow. If it turns out wrong, whole lot of stuff wasted too. I have enough trouble working out what to have now let alone tomorrow.

I keep kidding myself I'll try it but I don't think I really will.

[kaybee]

Im glad to see that Im not the only one that has gotten frustrated with so many dehydrator disasters and wasted time and ingredients :) The biggest reason why I wish the dehydrator was less hassle and that the recipes came out better is because it does have the potential to make dense food that is more transportable than it is when it is non-dehydrated...my job is physical and requires alot of calories, just carting fruit around is heavy and doesnt really do the job, and salads or "wet" foods dont travel well and tend to leak....

[Dj 247]

Great thread! I was wondering where I was going to come up with the money to buy a dehydrator. I think I will just pass on getting one! I have been doing fine eating fresh.

[Davylp25]

Hehe... Well to add balance. I LUV Dehydrated food. I ate nothing but raw fresh smoothies, salads, fruits etc for the first 1 1/2 years of 100% raw, I got so bored and so over just eating the same way. It added variety to my life. Love that!

But 2 each is own!

[tonytate42]

I have not gotten a dehydrator yet. There are some things I'm looking forward to some recipes. Not because I want to re-create the foods of the SAD, but because I need munchies. I like the dehydrated crackers an breads that I have tasted. But when it comes down to it, I prefer the whole food right from nature. It's easy and it taste good.

[Stina]

Well, my dehydrator is due tomorrow and I'm really optimistic I'll be able to make some good food with it. I eat smoothies for breakfast, salads for lunch, and whatever for dinner, and that whatever could get me into trouble if I don't fill that void if perhaps some dehydrated food.