I cannot bear seafood. I find all sea creatures repulsive and the idea of making one part of myself has made me feel sick for many years. Last week, I ate a chicken curry ready meal that was delicious, and failed to read the ingredients until I was mostly finished (I realise this was foolish). The sauce contained some seafood. Less, by weight, than cumin or coriander. I managed to eat the rest of the curry because wasting food is a dreadful thing to do when people are starving, but I've been disgusted by food since.
Yesterday I managed to eat a few pre-packaged items familiar from childhood - a cereal bar and some Cheestrings - but the act of eating made me feel sick, and that's not sustainable. I've been doing so well lately with eating healthier, tinned fruit instead of chocolate bars, vegetable soup instead of burgers, but even typing out those items has made me gag.
I have family members who've had similar experiences and responded by restricting the foods they're allowed (going vegetarian or vegan), but that feels like a slippery slope, psychologically. I don't want to respond to a broken rule ("don't eat seafood") by creating more stricter rules that I might much more easily break, and end up creating more and more rules I can't manage.
I'm trying to lose weight, but this feels like a major problem. I've always liked food, perhaps too much, and it's scary to have flipped my perspective so quickly. I'm not going to die if this goes on for a couple of weeks, but it can't just become part of my life.
Does anyone have any advice for easing myself back into eating normally?
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Best to take this one up with a therapist imo.
Yeah, having typed this out it seems this is a Brain Problem that needs some attention
Hey friend, as someone with their own food-brain problems, therapy and a nutritionist have helped A TON! Best of luck!
A friend of mine is autistic and had so few foods that she could eat she was suffering from malnutrition. She went and saw a hypnotist and is a happy, healthy vegetarian.
After she first got it done she was eating meat, but over time she’s gone back to being vegetarian as that’s what makes her happy. Most importantly, her ‘safe’ food list is much, much longer now (still loathes green beans and squeaky cheese though, lol, so I know she’s still herself!)
Maybe try hypnosis in order to expand your safe foods list.
Hypnosis is something I find fascinating and more than a bit scary, but it sounds like it really worked for your friend! I've looked into a combination massage therapy and hypnotherapy place nearby, which looks like it could completely sort someone out if it works
You need to speak to a professional about this. This isn’t a normal response, especially as you were enjoying the curry when you didn’t know it had seafood in it, which indicates this is a psychological issue rather than a physical response to a flavour. Have you ever been diagnosed with some form of OCD?
Never diagnosed, because my therapist at the time seemed hesitant to diagnose anything, but certainly treated for "obsessive-compulsive tendencies". I hadn't connected it to OCD because I've never been side-swiped by something like this before. Other rituals and aversions have always crept up on me. I suppose not wanting to eat seafood has been present for decades, and it's hard to wash the digestive system as you would hands.
I'll see about applying some of the OCD tools my old therapist gave me before I try and speak to a new one, as the waiting list in my area is about four months if you're lucky. Thank you for pointing out the potential OCD connection
I have some serious problems with food myself. I can eat something that I love a hundred times, and if I eat it once and it tastes slightly off (texture, flavor) I will be turned off of that food for months or sometimes even years. I’m also 9 months pregnant right now and it’s made eating even harder, my diet has been so restrictive but enough to keep me and the baby healthy.
I have severe OCD and am currently taking an SSRI and anti anxiety medication that helps. I recognize that there isn’t anything wrong with the food, it’s me and my severe reactions to them. I’m seeing a therapist and psychiatrist and it’s helping a lot. I would recommend seeking a professional opinion!
That sounds so difficult, with the existing restriction about advisable food in pregnancy. I'm on the waiting list to see a counsellor about something else, but it does now seem that it would be worth bringing up the OCD again. I had some therapy about my OCD tendencies a while ago, but I've never had food aversion like this before and was caught entirely off-guard
You sound neurodivergent - have you gotten tested or treated?
I haven't but many people have suggested it. I think eventually I'll end up getting tested but it's something to think of after Christmas now at the earliest
So in 2 weeks. Good luck!
This is eating disorder/psychological territory, and above reddit's paygrade.
What you have described is not really in the range of normal healthy eating. Have you heard of ARFID? I'm not saying you have it, but I am saying you're experiencing something worth talking about with a doctor and then a therapist who specializes in food issues. I have food issues too, so it's more like I'm recognizing some signs in you.
Agreed with everyone that this sounds like neurodivergence and a therapist or psychiatrist will help.
In the meantime - since you have to eat asap - think about what foods from what environments you do like. Go watch happy videos of apple orchards and eat an apple. Focus on whole foods since you'll know what's in them - almonds, oatmeal, bananas, peanuts, veggies, etc. anything that looks like it can from nature and doesn't have any 'ingredients' that trigger your anxiety.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Feel better soon.
The accidental consumption of a trigger food, even in trace amounts, caused a powerful psychological aversion, and you need to ease back by focusing on bland, emotionally neutral foods that require little preparation and zero inspection, such as plain toast, rice, or crackers, to slowly reestablish eating as a safe, non-threatening activity.
Google ARFID, then seek professional help.