The Student Room Group

food phobia

for as long as i can remember ive only eaten certain things and am unwilling to try any new foods..
i no its irrational and everyone says "why dont u just try it?" but i would actually reach and be unable to swallow any food that i dont feel comfortable with..
i've never let it bother me too much because im quite happy to eat the things i do eat and feel safe doing so..but im kinda worried that im not gettin a balanced diet and it could start really affecting my body!
anybody else got the same kinda thing?

also the uni im going to i can only have catered...so im pretty screwed as i no i wont eat anything on offer!...

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Reply 1
Anonymous
for as long as i can remember ive only eaten certain things and am unwilling to try any new foods..
i no its irrational and everyone says "why dont u just try it?" but i would actually reach and be unable to swallow any food that i dont feel comfortable with..
i've never let it bother me too much because im quite happy to eat the things i do eat and feel safe doing so..but im kinda worried that im not gettin a balanced diet and it could start really affecting my body!
anybody else got the same kinda thing?

also the uni im going to i can only have catered...so im pretty screwed as i no i wont eat anything on offer!...


I think you're just going to have to be brave and learn to try things otherwise you will waste a lot of money and be very hungry. :smile:
Reply 2
yeh but other foods are about as appealing to me as eating dog s**t
Reply 3
Nah, your just a coward.

joke! ;*
Reply 4
This is quite a common problem, called Selective Eating Disorder. It's more prevalent in kids, because most people end up growing out of it and trying nw things, but it sounds like you've been feeling so "safe" with the foods you eat that you have just not needed to try anything else.

Have you spoken to a doctor about this? It may be worth doing so. In the meantime I'd make sure you take some sort of multivitamin to ensure you are getting your RDA of all the important vitamins.
Reply 5
yeh i think that my problem is i dont feel the need to try new foods because im quite happy eating the same things all the time..


yeh i went to the doctor a few times but he was just like "well your old enough now to know wots best for you" which didnt really help..as when i have braved trying somethin i physically cant swallow or will reach!


gd idea about the vitamins tho..i do try to take some now and again
Reply 6
If you don't like it, you don't like it.

I'm afraid of eating Olives and Porridge. Don't ask me why....i'll just never ever eat them.
Reply 7
Clarence
If you don't like it, you don't like it.

I'm afraid of eating Olives and Porridge. Don't ask me why....i'll just never ever eat them.


but have you tried them and decided you dont like them?
or are u just assuming you wont like them?

because ive got to the point where i cant even try stuff and just "know" i wont like them
Reply 8
What sort of things do you like ??
maybe you could look at some foods which are very similar - say of you like oranages try tangerines, i.e. small steps with foods that have similar tastes and textures so to branch out one small step at a time.
Reply 9
maybe see if your doctor can refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist. (not the same person). Most likely a nutritionist, unless your underweight, or have a medical problem.
Reply 10
bigluce
What sort of things do you like ??
maybe you could look at some foods which are very similar - say of you like oranages try tangerines, i.e. small steps with foods that have similar tastes and textures so to branch out one small step at a time.



i pretty much eat junk food...but plain stuff..eg chips and chicken.
yeh i have branched out but hardly anything..
eg i used to only eat chicken if it was in breadcrumbs or batter etc..cos i didnt like the texture..but now i would eat plain chicken..
i think eventually i will branch out more, but slowly, and by the looks of it the menu of the college im going to is really quite different to what i would contemplate eating! loads of fancy stuff!
If you've made a really serious effort to eat new foods and still can't physically bring yourself to try them, you're probably going to be best seeking professional help if you want it fixed. It sounds like the kind of thing that could be cured with the proper medical help.
you really don't have any non-catered options? At my uni all freshmen had to live in catered dorms but some peopel who were strictly kosher or halal or something got exemptions.
Reply 13
shady lane
you really don't have any non-catered options? At my uni all freshmen had to live in catered dorms but some peopel who were strictly kosher or halal or something got exemptions.


i contacted the college and they said there were limited self catered rooms,which are only available to those with strong religious convictions!
I was like this all my life and actually felt shaky if I was presented with food to try that I didn't know the flavour of. I irrationally hated foods just based on sight and was scared of anything that wasn't what I'd grown up eating (plain staples like pasta, rice, potato, bread, fruit and veg). I was even scared of eating fish fingers or sausages that had more than like 3% pork in them lol). As all the foods I ate were plain I sought out flavour in sugary foods and would drink ****e loads of fizzy drinks and got obsessed with pastry/chocolate as they were the only excitement in my diet. Late last year I said 6 weeks without any sugar (bar natural sugar in yog/fruit) and it was the bloody hardest thing I've done but also the absolute best as it forced me to seek the exciting flavours I craved. I gradually lost my fear of trying things and now you can't stop me seeking out new flavours, types of fish, trying recipes etc. It's improved my quality of life sooooo much as I can eat more socially and without saying 'do you have chips' at every restaurant. It'll happen for you! If someone had told me I'd be like this just a year ago I'd have laughed in their face but put your mind to it and you can beat the fear.

Good luck x
Reply 15
Anonymous
but have you tried them and decided you dont like them?
or are u just assuming you wont like them?

because ive got to the point where i cant even try stuff and just "know" i wont like them


I actually am afraid of the texture and the taste of porridge.

Olives - don't get me started. :eek:
Reply 16
Anonymous
i pretty much eat junk food...but plain stuff..eg chips and chicken.
yeh i have branched out but hardly anything..
eg i used to only eat chicken if it was in breadcrumbs or batter etc..cos i didnt like the texture..but now i would eat plain chicken..
i think eventually i will branch out more, but slowly, and by the looks of it the menu of the college im going to is really quite different to what i would contemplate eating! loads of fancy stuff!

My brother is exactly the same, same food and everything...he'll streach to turkey in batter, but only certain shapes.
WE've been to the doctor and the reply is 'he'll grow out of it' Its scary because he's so skinny. It worries me, I'm scared for him.
Reply 17
cinder
My brother is exactly the same, same food and everything...he'll streach to turkey in batter, but only certain shapes.
WE've been to the doctor and the reply is 'he'll grow out of it' Its scary because he's so skinny. It worries me, I'm scared for him.


how old is ur brother
This was actually on Jeremy Kyle this morning!
im like this aswell! i live on pasta/salad/chinese style chicken with rice/chips/fruit i wont try anything else and have been like this since i was 4 lol