I don’t like fish in general, unless it’s battered like a fish fillet. However, I know that sardines are very nutritious and I’d feel better eating some fish than eating meat (vegetarian, previous vegan).
Is there a way to ease into eating them? What about a particular flavor? And, aren’t you supposed to eat them bones and all? I’m a little weird about mouth feel of food. Are the bones something you need to get used to?
The bones in canned sardines are edible. You don’t even know you are eating them as the cooking process pretty much disintegrates the bones. Same with canned salmon which is so good it deserves a thread of its own. But let me say that cold canned salmon spread on a toasted bagel is about the best sandwich on earth. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I am sensitive to texture as well. The bones are a deal breaker for me.
My recommendations would be to pick a variety that contains 3-4 per can. Pick through them and eat only the white meat. Leave off the dark meat and spines at first. Later, maybe switch to the smaller, multi-layer varieties that contain 10+ sardines per 4 oz can. These will get you used to eating the whole thing.
Even now, I avoid the roe/stomachs in the larger varieties. It's not an unpleasant taste, just more gamier than I care for, and there is an after taste. Some varieties contain little to no insides to speak of, but occasionally even in these, you will run across sardines with stomach contents remaining. I just fork them out. The cat loves 'em.