10 meals that traumatized most kids

Many of us can look back on our childhoods with fond nostalgia – the games we played, the friends we made, and the adventures we embarked on. However, there's one aspect that might not evoke such warm memories: the notorious meals that seemed designed to test our tiny taste buds and patience at the dinner table.

From mystery meatloaf to quivering blocks of gelatin salad, these culinary concoctions have left more than a few of us scarred. Below, we explore ten meals that have sent shivers down the spines of many kids, and for some, still haunt their adult palates.

Often described with a shudder, liver and onions have a distinctive strong flavor and a mushy yet grainy texture that can challenge even the bravest of young eaters. This dish not only has a potent smell that fills the house but also an aftertaste that lingers long after dinner is over.

Although nowadays nicely cooked Brussels sprouts can be quite delicious, the preparation of yore usually involved boiling them into a soggy, bitter submission that no amount of seasoning could rescue. Combine that with their somewhat unfortunate resemblance to tiny brains, and you have a dish that's the bane of many children's dining experiences.

This staple of the mid-20th-century American kitchen often brings back memories of dry, overcooked noodles mixed with chunks of tuna and a creamy, often congealed sauce. Its commonplace presence on dinner tables across the nation did little to endear it to youthful palates.

Despite Popeye's enthusiastic endorsements, spinach was the archenemy of many kids. When not fresh and well-prepared, the overcooked version of these green leaves could feel like a slimy punishment rather than a healthful side dish.

The texture and idea of eating an actual tongue can be quite unsettling to a child. Beef tongue often led to stares of disbelief followed by firm refusals to even try a bite, resulting in many untouched plates around the family dinner table.

Peas became a dreaded sight once they began appearing in nearly every dish as a filler – from pot pies to macaroni and cheese. For many children, their mushy texture and uninspiring taste turned dinner into a lengthy ordeal of covert pea-hiding tactics.

Another legume that found little love from the younger set, lima beans particularly suffered from their starchy, mealy nature. Kids could spend an eternity pushing them around the plate in the hopes they might somehow disappear.

While meatloaf can be the ultimate comfort food for some, for others, it's a reminder of dense, dry loaves filled with unidentifiable bits and overbearing spices or ketchup. Meatloaf could either be a treat or a lesson in culinary endurance.

Separate from its fresh or frozen counterpart, canned spinach often had a peculiar, almost metallic taste and a texture that left little to be desired. It's no wonder that this item alone could lead to a lifelong aversion to the vegetable.

In some bygone era, gelatin salads were the height of culinary innovation. Featuring an array of items like shredded carrots, canned fruits, or even seafood encased in wobbly gelatin, these creations rendered children speechless – and not in a good way. The combination of sweet and savory elements often confused young taste buds, making it a dish better observed than consumed.

Whether these meals simply fell out of favor or were victims of their time, they represent a rite of passage in many of our dining histories. For some of us, they've become fond (or at least funny) memories; for others, they're dishes to be avoided at all costs. Whatever the case, they are sure to leave a lasting impression – if not on the palate, then certainly on the psyche.