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682 entries.
MIsty Garwood MIsty Garwood from Elgin wrote on June 26, 2022 at 10:27 pm
I’m definitely amount the pickiest of the picky. I do not/cannot eat vegetables, fish, condiments (other than honey). I pretty much order off the kids menu. I’m 45 years old! I’m the CEO of a decent sized company. I feel humiliated at business events and still can not make myself even take one bite. If an item has pickles or something I cannot just take them off. The flavor is still there!! The strange thing is that I don’t have a texture issue. I even like coconut! I try my best to avoid dinners at unfamiliar restaurants, and get extremely anxious or bail out if I don’t know that I can’t eat. At 45 I’ve gained weight. Im not obese, but still short and a size 12. Im worried that it’s affecting my health. My memory isn’t sharp, I tire easily, My body hurts, I just feel like I’m aging faster than others. My close friends say it’s just part of being over 40. The biggest problem is that My 11 year old son is pickier than me (and probably literally the pickiest of the picky). I worry about his health so we had a therapist do several sessions with him. He tried a few items but then refused to do anymore. I did everything in my power to not gag or vomit while he tried the few foods. I feel like the worst mother. What kind of mother won’t try things for the sake of her son’s health? Has anyone been successful in therapy? Do all therapist just have you sit there any try foods or is there some talk therapy that can help? I’m desperate to get better and help him- but apparently not desperate enough to simply try other foods!! He plays select baseball and it’s super demanding on him, but he loves it and I worry that he’s suffering physically. He suffers socially as he just doesn’t eat when he goes to sleepovers. Other parents are not understanding whatsoever! I know they don’t want him to set a bad example for their children and worry about starving him. He lives in white bread and creamy peanut butter, carb filled snacks and Mac and cheese (selectively), cereal And the occasional strawberry or banana. He eats French fries, but not mashed potatoes. Which is actually odd even to me. Any advise (other than- just force him to eat or just eat your veggies?
Christina Christina from Thousand oaks wrote on June 4, 2022 at 12:26 am
My 18-year-old son has suffered life-threatening food allergies to dairy eggs peanuts tree nuts and seafood since birth. He also was diagnosed with sensory processing disorders at age 6. He doesn’t eat any meat poultry seafood eggs legumes fruits or vegetables. He has trouble eating out at any restaurant and usually only orders french fries. I am here for support. It’s severely affecting his energy and his his self-esteem and his weight.
Admin Reply by: Bob
Your son would change if he could. He never chose to have all his food issues. The road ahead could be difficult for him especially social problems like dating and finding the love of his life. He may be gifted in other ways because he can sense things others can't and being the best he can be at things he can control. Look into ARFID for more information. He probably will have life long problems with food and eating but there is no reason he can't have a long and happy life. I just turned 74 and I'm the pickiest of the picky by far. One advantage your son will have is the knowledge that he has a disorder and not the only one with it. Thanks for stopping by my guest book and web page.
Ashlee Ashlee from Denver wrote on May 30, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Hi, I'm 23 and I've been picky all my life. I've started to eat some new foods, but I often have anxiety in public eating situations that are unfamiliar. Today, for the first time ever I discovered the term ARFID and I felt so seen. Over time, I hope to get better, and I am so happy to know I am not alone.

Much love!!
Admin Reply by: Bob
Now go out and have a great life. You are probably gifted in many other ways.
Bob K
Graciela Graciela from Los angeles wrote on May 28, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Hello,
I’m here because of my picky son. He has a heightened sense of taste/smell and can detect very subtle changes in the meals that he eats. He will eat things but only if they taste like restaurant quality food and even some restaurant meals are not up to par for him. He will oftentimes skip meals and won’t eat because he’s “not hungry”. I had him see a physician to help him gain weight but he stopped going to the doctor. I’m not sure what to do now to help him become a healthy weight. Not sure if the root cause is him being a picky eater or not.
Admin Reply by: Bob
Your son is probably on the spectrum and may also have sensory issues that allow him to smell and taste things most people can't. Probably need to consult medical people to try and nail down what he is dealing with. ARFID might also be one other cause to consider. He would change if he could and never did he ask to have these problems. Social problems could be your biggest worry. Dating and romance will probably be very difficult for your son who will not want others to know about his food issues. One thing your son is lucky to be living today where he can find some help and also know he is not the only one. I lived with it by myself for over 55 years and at times it is a very lonely place to be. One other thing he may be gifted in some other way. For me it has been like living in a world where all the people live on foods like raw liver making me a strange alien being in hiding. I'm sending you an invite to our support group. Make sure your son knows there are others and his disorder has a name. Bob K
Charla B. Charla B. from Columbus wrote on May 14, 2022 at 9:17 pm
After reading some of the posts here, I see that all of us are so similar with our "picky eating'. I am extremely texture oriented. I have developed 4 [simple] "food rules" that I tell people when planning dinners so that others can try to understand the foods I won't/can't eat. Most vegetables are on my list of things that are a no go. I am 48 and also worry that I'm not getting the nutritional balance that is necessary for a healthy life, but it is so hard to eat most vegetables. I also do what another poster does: I will put a little of something in my mouth, chew as much as I can handle and then swallow it with as much water as necessary. I eat peas like taking pills. It's exhausting trying to trick myself into eating these foods. I have increased the variety of foods I will eat as I have gotten older, but very little. I will only try new foods with a trusted friend or family member who knows my food issues. Thankfully, I have several very supportive friends who accommodate my "pickiness".
I also have Brumotactillophobia (not wanting food to touch on my plate), which leads to a whole other range of food issues. LOL
I'm glad I ran across this site. It helps to know that there are lots of other people struggling with these situations. Thanks for allowing me to share!
Mylo Mylo from Iowa wrote on May 7, 2022 at 8:07 pm
My names Mylo and I have been struggling with picky eating my whole life even though i’m a teenager. Being “picky” is always what I have be labeled as in the public, family events, or at school. Some of the main foods I eat are chicken strips, mini corn dogs, about anything with peanut butter and bread. I have been able to like a good amount of fruit, but I struggle very hard with veggies as I only eat cellary about twice a month. I wish I could try new foods, but it is so much more than just “trying it”. Every other food just looks disgusting to me and I want nothing to do with it. I hope that there are others who can relate to this. I don’t want to deal with this my whole life, but I don’t know when things will change. Also, everyone says your “taste buds change” and that you won’t know till you try it, but I wish they would put themselves in my shoes and feel how I feel.
Admin Reply by: Bob
"Every other food just looks disgusting to me"
I have had what you are dealing with for over 70 years. So many foods especially the fine dining types just do not look like food to my brain. I spent over 50 years living alone with this disgust for many foods thinking I'm the only one. Hiding it from all but very close friends and relatives.

You however are lucky because the disorder now has a name since May of 2013 Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder ARFID. It's real and you have lots of company. I can also tell you that there is no reason you can't have a great and fruitful life even if you just don't like lots of foods.

You might also find yourself somewhere on the autism spectrum however mild a case you might have. Look into the ARFID disorder on google or try looking at YouTube videos on the subject. Lots of material to look at and learn from. Best of luck to you Mylo it's nice hearing from you. Bob K
Jay Jay from Minneapolis wrote on April 11, 2022 at 4:16 am
I have been told I’m
Picky. I mainly eat meat like chicken(fried or grilled) beef, pork fried fish especially shrimp, fried potatoes (only and have to be seasoned) chips, citrus fruits, wheat bread(usually toasted) I love spicy food especially with hot sauce if not it taste bland to me(I can’t stand ketchup so I dip my fries in BBQ sauce or Siracha). I cannot tolerate any vegetable besides fries onions or peppers. Certain fruits(cherries/berries) I like the flavor of juice but not the texture of the actual fruit. I cant stand ketchup mustard or Mayo. I am lactose intolerant so I avoid dairy but even as a kid I never put milk on cereal as it made it too soggy. I don’t like pasta sauce and plain pasta is bland plus I do not do cheese/cheese sauce for another reason. So no pizza either but only for that reason. As far as drinks it’s only coffee I can’t stand (besides milk which I avoid for digestive reasons) I drink water soda and juice and alcoholic drinks. . I was told I was not autism or anything like that by several doctors. I never liked white bread as it is so bland. I know vegetables are so healthy but especially the green ones make me gag. I’m 40 years old. I’m kinda on the chubby side and my job has me sit at a computer all day. Eating out I always have to special order something (no ketchup cheese mayo mustard and can you instead give me BBQ or siracha sauce for my fries plus the seasoning salt).
Laura Laura from Portland wrote on April 10, 2022 at 9:55 pm
My daughter is 20 and has had ARFID all her life, but I didn't know until recently what it was. I honestly never thought that she needed to change. However, I was looking to see if there was help out there, because it does seem to be affecting her health since she's been living away from home at college, and also she is unhappy about her food restrictions in social situations. But from what I see here it seems like most people with this condition aren't really able to expand their palates much?

By the way, just wanted to point out that a character on the new series Abbott Elementary was revealed to be an adult picky eater!
Noah Noah from Lincoln, RI wrote on April 6, 2022 at 4:20 am
Hi, my name is Noah, I'm 30 years old, and for as long as I can remember I've always been an extremely picky eater. My diet is selective in all manners of food; and most of the time, I can look at a particular food and know without even trying it I won't like it. Other times, I'll give something a try, (for example: tomatoes), even if it's for the 100th time, and the taste and texture put me off completely. Family gatherings always bring me stress because I'm usually the only one with a lack of food on my plate. Unfortunately, my parents just think I’m a very picky eater and occasionally make jokes about it, which is beyond frustrating. But it makes me feel better already to read all these stories and know I’m not alone! So thank you everyone!
Melissa Melissa from Gorham wrote on March 26, 2022 at 5:41 pm
My name is Melissa. I’m 27 years old, and although I’ve been a pretty picky eater my whole life, I feel like it’s now causing mental distress and anxiety. My partner is the complete opposite- he will eat almost everything expect for shrimp and other shellfish. Planning meals together is often a nightmare - there are a lot of tastes and textures that I really hate. I also have celiac disease and SIBO, so not only am I limited in what I CAN eat, there are so many Things I don’t want to eat. I got so frustrated trying to pick a meal for us that I broke down and cried in the grocery store today. I’m glad there are others that understand.
Joseph Joseph from Milwaukee wrote on March 23, 2022 at 8:47 pm
I'm 21 and recently diagnosed with ARFID/seeking support. While I definitely have foods I can't eat, most of my issues come from eating in general. I dislike eating and hate the feel of swallowing. Eating anything often makes me nauseous (some foods moreso than others.) I struggle with getting enough to eat or drink every day since it's such a chore. I have a fear that "bad food" (including leftovers and tap water) will give me a terrible disease, and can't stomach foods with lots of ingredients. Fruits, vegetables, and crunchy things are the only foods I know I can eat on any given day. Some days are easier than others, some days even bread is too chewy to handle. I'm still learning about ARFID and my own symptoms/relationship with food, but feeling a lot more hopeful knowing I'm not alone.
Jeanine Perrine Jeanine Perrine from Riverview wrote on March 13, 2022 at 12:03 am
I am happy to find a group that offers understanding. I suffer from AFRID.
Connor Olson Connor Olson from Arlington, Washington wrote on February 12, 2022 at 4:54 pm
My name is Connor Olson, I’m 21 and I’m a picky eater. I only eat chicken fingers, fries, chips, snickers, bacon. If I go to Subway I only get bread and bacon. I didn’t know that ignoring vegetables and trying new things was a problem, but people say it is. Is my diet bad? How do I learn to try new food? Do I eat like a 4 year old or do 4 year olds eat like me? If there is a solution please help.
Admin Reply by: Bob
Dear Connor

You should look into ARFID as a reason from your problems. Lots of information at this website and do a google and you will get some answers. This is a very complex problem that many others have.
Melissa Melissa wrote on February 9, 2022 at 2:08 pm
I’m glad I found this. I am 31 years old and I have also been “picky” all my life. Unlike many of the posts on here I do not have an issue with gagging or vomiting. For me it is more of a mental block. I have read on here about “regular foods” not looking like foods to us and that really resonates with me. I really struggle with it because I know it isn’t logical. There is no reason I can’t eat the things I don’t eat I just simply can’t make myself do it. I’m lucky that my picky eating still allows me to make healthy choices. I’m okay with most vegetables and I am okay with white-meat chicken prepared pretty much any way. Herbs and spices are ok but sauces are a hard no. I don’t eat dairy or any meat other than chicken or crispy bacon. Some fruits are ok (green apples, red grapes, most berries - not blueberries). I have a hard time preparing meals for myself. If I see the chicken before it is cooked I often cannot eat it. I find that I eat out a lot (usually chicken fingers) to compensate for this. I have learned to live with my issues and I am lucky to have family that tries to understand and a spouse that supports me. The main reason that I am reaching out for support is that I now have a 3 year old son who seems to be struggling with the same issues. In a lot of ways he seems even more selective than I was so I worry and I am looking for any information to help him so that I don’t make the problem worse. My in laws tell me all the time that we just need ti keep serving him the same food until he gets hungry enough ti eat it. I obviously do not agree. I do my best to support him in trying new foods (sometimes with bribery) while making sure that he is fed with things I know he likes. I’ve always done my best to provide him with a varied diet including lots of food that I personally don’t eat but it seemed almost right away that he was very selective. I worry that I have caused this and just want to help him as best I can.
Admin Reply by: Bob
Dear Melissa
I have had ARFID my entire life since birth. I read your message and I'm not a medical professional. I started the website that this guest book is attached to close to 20 years ago and I have message traffic from 1000s of people. One thing I'm convinced of is many of us get this eating disorder through our genes. You child has probably not picked up the disorder by watching how and what you eat. Some really bad advice is starve your child until they eat what you serve them. You continue to offer new foods at each meal but make sure your child has something they will eat. Since May of 2013 the disorder was entered into the DSM and since then doctors have been scrambling to find the best way to treat us with limited success. There could be a link to spectrum for you and your child. Many people on the spectrum have food issues similar to ours. I know I'm on the spectrum it runs in my family. A very nice lady who has it had two boys and one will eat anything and the other is worse than she is. She also mentioned that she detected problems with her picky son during early feeding. I can't tell there is a magic cure. One of the things you can do is try to limit the amount of damage to her social skills. We have a Facebook group and an older group we started on Yahoo. You and your child are probably gifted in other ways. Just go to YouTube and search for ARFID. You will be very busy with all the matches that pop up. By the way I will be turning 75 in June so it is possible to live a nice long life and I'm the pickiest of the picky. I will send you a direct invite to one of our groups.
Jeanine Perrine Jeanine Perrine from Riverview wrote on January 29, 2022 at 12:15 pm
I am.a 49 year old female that suffers from Adult Food Neophobia.
Melinda Melinda wrote on January 26, 2022 at 7:02 am
I'm a 27 year old female who has always been defined as a picky eater. I eat the classic kids foods but cannot stomach fruits & vegetables along with most other non-grain foods. Growing up, I was told that "no one likes what they eat, they tough it out and eat it anyways!" and "you know what foods to eat to be healthy, so just do it!". I was convinced by others that seeking any external help would yield no results and that this was a choice I was making to disregard my own health. I gained a lot of weight over the past 10 years and have developed an intense anxiety concerning food in social situations. It's not that I want to a "picky" eater. I wish I wasn't. I feel shame for who I am and I've always thought I was the only one who was like this. I found this Picky Eating Adults website tonight and I'm sitting here crying because I've realized for the first time in my life that I'm not alone. I relate so closely to so many of the posts I am reading. I didn't know I needed this, so thank you.
Admin Reply by: Bob
You are not alone. You never asked to eat the way you do. There is no reason you can't have a great life.
Lemmy Lemmy from Stockholm wrote on January 22, 2022 at 12:13 am
Well it’s nice to see I’m not alone. Though I suppose my sister is also a picky eater, but she’s only 13. I’m actually only 17 so maybe I don’t belong here, but seeing as I’m certainly not ‘growing out’ of my picky eating, I guess I’ll still post. I’m autistic and quite picky with my food, though luckily there’s enough things I like for me to at least not have the same dinner every day. I do have basically the same thing for breakfast everyday but honestly I bet there’s hundreds of people who aren’t picky eaters who also do such. Besides I do change it up a bit, sometimes it’s strawberry yogurt and sometimes it’s blueberry yogurt. Oh and I have a geographic tounge so I cannot tolerate sour foods or spicy foods which certainly doesn’t help much, but at least I’m eating enough every day. Weirdly enough my mother is absolutely obessesed with spicy foods while my tounge thinks regular KFC chicken is spicy lmao.
Jamie Van K Jamie Van K from Fullerton wrote on January 17, 2022 at 5:16 pm
I've been spitting out meat and refusing to eat certain foods my whole life. I'm almost 40. I can't stand almost all meat in my mouth. The only meat I can eat is hamburger in a hamburger or taco and pepperoni on a pizza. I was never forced to eat anything so I've just made my own diet of bland foods. I just wish I could go to a restaurant and not be restricted by my palette.
Admin Reply by: Bob
I know your pain. Many who have come to this site have been able to eat crispy bacon slices with no problem. For many like me it is one of my favorite foods. It might give you one more thing you can eat. The taste is very mild and easy to chew. I wish I could eat pepperoni pizza.
Jennifer Jennifer from Cincinnati wrote on December 2, 2021 at 8:52 pm
I keep wanting to get brave enough to try something new but every time I'm like I better not try this at the restaurant, what if I gag. I dread when friends wanna meet for dinner..I am always more willing to meet for breakfast cause I like more breakfast foods..I'm just tired of living in shame and don't want to start having children until I get better with eating. I'm 32
Admin Reply by: Bob
If you want to try things do it i private while you are home. You might ask a very good friend to join who knows about your problems with food. Many people with our disorder have had normal children in spite of what they eat. The child will get what she needs during the nine months. You could get some blood tests to confirm if your missing any vitamins or minerals. No reason you can't have a long happy life no matter how many things you can eat. You are probably gifted in other ways.

Bob K
Jules Jules wrote on December 2, 2021 at 1:24 am
I'm a 28 year old female who has struggled with "picky" eating for as long as I can remember. As a child I can remember sitting at the dinner table crying and gagging over 1 bite of a good I didn't like but my parents wanted me to try. To this day my diet consists of mostly children's foods such as chicken nuggets, pizza, fries, hotdogs, cheeseburgers, and a whole lot of other junk. This has led me to gain weight I certainly didn't want to gain. I avoid going to some gatherings with friends and events because I don't know if they will have any safe foods for me to eat. It's always the first thing that comes to mind when I get invited anywhere. This makes me very sad and embarrassed, I try to play it off but it really brings me so much anxiety. I wish I could change, I hate living this way but I am at a point where I don't know what I can do. Which has led me to doing some research and i came across ARFID, which sounds alot like me but I don't think anyone would take me seriously if I tried to get myself help. It's nice to read people's stories who are so similar to mine.
Admin Reply by: Bob
Dear Julie
ARFID covers lots of ground. It is said if your selective eating causes you social embarrassment you have it. There are many people just like yourself. You never asked to have ARFID. None of us ever asked to have it. No reason you can't stay healthy and live a long happy life. You are not alone.
Bob K