I’m genuinely curious. Years ago, I was a chubby young pothead who lived on fast food. Taco Bell, McDonald’s, KFC, you name it—I ate it. Back in college, fast food probably made up at least 50% of my diet. And it wasn’t just because it was quick and cheap—I actually enjoyed it.

But these days, I find myself craving it less and less. Besides being more health-conscious, it just doesn’t hit the spot like it used to. It’s more expensive than ever, mostly bland, and I feel terrible after I eat it. So what’s changed? Is it just part of the enshitification of everything? Have I just gotten old, or has fast food really gone downhill?

  • Psythik@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    The fact that you don’t like tomatoes in of itself is proof that the problem is with your taste buds. Tomatoes are high glutamic acid (umami), and I’ve never heard of a person who didn’t like savory foods.

    There’s a reason why MSG is making a comeback: because it tastes good (and because people are finally starting to figure out that its stigma is deeply-rooted in racism. It’s better for you than salt).

    • tunetardis@lemmy.ca
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      18 hours ago

      Oh man, you sound like my mother! She was actually Japanese and grew her own tomatoes. She was always forcing them on me, saying Ne, umai-deshou! (See? They’re full of umami!)

      I actually like cooked tomatoes in all forms, but there is something in the flavour profile of a raw tomato that turns me off.

    • Baguette@lemm.ee
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      23 hours ago

      Just because people don’t like a certain food doesnt mean their taste buds have a problem. Liking food is all subjective, that’s what it means to be human

      • Psythik@lemmy.world
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        23 hours ago

        I’m only partially serious. Sorry, I have a weird sense of humor that doesn’t really work well in text. Just pretend that I’m smiling and playfully punching your upper arm when you read half my comments.

        That said, Umami isn’t subjective, though. It’s one of the five basic tastes. So you have to admit that not liking a food that’s loaded in it is a bit odd.

        • Nibodhika@lemmy.world
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          8 hours ago

          Vomited tomatoes are also rich in MSG, how can you not like them?

          There’s a lot more to flavor than taste, and people are free to not like the flavor of anything regardless of the amount of MSG, salt, sugar or vinager.

        • chuymatt@startrek.website
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          13 hours ago

          Raw tomatoes typically make me gag. I recently found my uncle and cousins do it too. There is something specific that is unappealing to the point our bodies don’t think it is safe to eat.