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Safe Food Management

NAS77771

Ok so,

I know safe foods are super common with autists like myself and I know a lot of people will share the experience of having a safe food, buying it in bulk and then suddenly finding it completely repulsive - like the thought of eating it makes my stomach turn.

This has become a major challenge for me over the past few months as my safe foods no longer overlap and I have found myself either unable to stomach anything or only eating old safe foods and never feeling satiated, feeling like something is wrong and it makes me restless. This has resulted in panic attacks when going food shopping because all of it seems repulsive or overspending on takeout (my natural habit when i have no normal safe foods, I wish I could stop but if I don’t I get extremely restless and it usually results in a meltdown).

Does anyone have any advice on how to... stabilise this? I cannot go on like this as it is affecting my health and it’s driving me nuts, affects my mood and causes lots of other problems because I’m finding myself distracted trying to problem solve what I’m going to eat almost 24/7 :(   

Parents

  • When it comes to nutrition everything is so individual. Here are a few suggestions that may help:

    1. Consult with a dietitian or nutritionist: They can help you develop a meal plan that is balanced and meets your nutritional needs, while also taking into account any food aversions or sensitivities.

    2. Try new foods: Even if it feels daunting, try experimenting with new foods, even if it's just a small amount at first. It may help to have a support system, such as a friend or family member, to try new foods with you. For instance, try almond chicken Chinese, corn salad recipes or beef gravy.

    3. Gradual exposure: Try to expose yourself gradually to the food you used to like, and try to understand what might have changed to make it unappealing.

    4. Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation before and during meals to help reduce anxiety and focus on the present moment.

    5. Therapy: It may be helpful to work with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety and food-related issues. They can help you develop strategies to cope with your anxiety and work through any underlying issues that may be contributing to your food aversions.

    It's important to remember that it is normal to have aversions to certain foods and everyone's taste preferences change over time. With time, patience and persistence it is possible to overcome this challenge and find a way to nourish yourself.

Reply

  • When it comes to nutrition everything is so individual. Here are a few suggestions that may help:

    1. Consult with a dietitian or nutritionist: They can help you develop a meal plan that is balanced and meets your nutritional needs, while also taking into account any food aversions or sensitivities.

    2. Try new foods: Even if it feels daunting, try experimenting with new foods, even if it's just a small amount at first. It may help to have a support system, such as a friend or family member, to try new foods with you. For instance, try almond chicken Chinese, corn salad recipes or beef gravy.

    3. Gradual exposure: Try to expose yourself gradually to the food you used to like, and try to understand what might have changed to make it unappealing.

    4. Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation before and during meals to help reduce anxiety and focus on the present moment.

    5. Therapy: It may be helpful to work with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety and food-related issues. They can help you develop strategies to cope with your anxiety and work through any underlying issues that may be contributing to your food aversions.

    It's important to remember that it is normal to have aversions to certain foods and everyone's taste preferences change over time. With time, patience and persistence it is possible to overcome this challenge and find a way to nourish yourself.

Children
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