Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
I was wondering if i could describe the issues ive had with eating in general all my life, and see if it rings bells with anyone? Basically i go through spells of not being able to eat because food doesnt "look" right, it doesnt look how i think it should look - either the shape, colour or texture just doesnt feel like it should. Also if the packaging isnt perfect, or isnt how it normally looks - then i just cant process it, its like a total block and i end up feeling like theres just too much information whizzing through my head. Other times i seem to be able to get past it - but thats not so often. Im waiting for my assessment, likely itll be a while, but my food problems are one of the longest and most intrusive problems and one of the main ones that made me seek help
Thanks all
Hi there, in regards to food issues. I am known for being quite precise or picky. For e.g. I don't like something hot and cold on the same dish. It would have to be separate. Foods, I don't like by sense of smell mainly I immediately have to leave I cannot handle strong smell or acidic foods e.g. eggs or vinegar. Overall, things have improved a bit not massively but one step at a time. It is about finding a balance. You realise you are not going to like everything and that's fine. It is a bit like experimenting trying new things. But, when it comes to allergies or intolerance always seek professional help whether by a food, specialist, dietitian, nutritionist etc. It is ok to be different as that what makes us unique. We all have our preferred preferences.
I actually sniff vinegar as a stim. It makes me calm.
I learned a new word yesterday, courtesy of Wikipedia: pagophagia, habitual eating of ice. My father thought there was something wrong or unhealthy in my crunching ice cubes on their own from the freezer. I thought I was just doing it because I was thirsty. I know a lot of people, some autistic, who cannot stand ice in their drinks (occasional mistakes are made at bars). Maybe it was a stim. (By the way, I didn't get an 'ice cream headache' from it - those are supposedly from the cold, but in my case they might be from the sugar.)
I was fairly picky as a child, often forced to sit at the table until I'd eaten something I didn't want to. I wonder if the thread on evolution might help explain wanting food to be 'just so' and seeking out alternatives. If neurodivergence helps a tribe detect a new source of food, it would be good that some people pay attention to different potential food sources and whether it really is edible...