I was talking to someone online, and I said I was a picky eater. They said that they were too, and so for a while we were just venting about that, but once I mentioned that I thought I might have an eating disorder (ARFID) they got all weird and said "You're that picky with food?!🙄". I couldn't tell if they were trying to be rude of not, but it still stung. As a picky eater I thought that they would understand what I'm going through, but I guess I shouldn't expect much from a random kid on the internet.

Ever since I I was a toddler I’ve been a picky eater and it’s not because I don’t like the foods I just physically can’t bring myself to eat it. I’m pretty sure it’s something psychological. I want to fix this because it limits my opportunities in life I guess for example going in an exchange program I wouldn’t want to be a burden to the family because of what I’m eating. I have managed to try some new things and my friends try to get me to try stuff as well. I have thought about going to therapy or something about this, but I haven’t actually done it and I was wondering if there’s anything I can do myself.

Every Tuesday I make Tacos for me, my little sister & our mom, and I have to buy 2 pounds of ground beef every two weeks when I buy groceries, which comes out to $12

If i instead buy ground pork, itd be a little under $6 which is far better, but unfortunately my little sister will NOT eat it, even if she doesn't know its pork instead of beef. I dont know how she does it, but every time I've made tacos with pork she takes one, maybe two bites and says it tastes gross, and ends up not eating diner for the night.

She never sees the packaging and it always looks exactly the same as beef when its made, but she still tastes a difference somehow when neither me or my mom can, if there's any way I can like season it differently aside from a regular taco seasoning pack from Walmart, I really need to know!!

Chicken, Turkey & Beans give the same results with her as well

Edit: im aware beef and pork taste different, shes just the only one who can tell in the house

Title.
I’d like to be on an anti inflammatory diet but I’ve struggled with ARFID my whole life. I struggle with new food and textures. Anyone who’s been in the same position, any advice???

Hi everyone,

I have a 2 year old and her picky eating is driving me up a wall. She used to eat a large variety of foods, the only thing she never really liked was meat. Around 18 months she started being very picky and it’s only getting worse. She will eat mostly any fruits, grilled sandwiches (lunch meat is hit or miss), mac and cheese, quesadillas. She will eat noodles but only if they are plain with butter on them.

Things she used to eat but now refuses and I don’t know why:
-Pretty much all vegetables, sometimes will eat corn or carrots but more often not
-Pasta sauce of any kind, red, white, etc.
-Anything that “looks different” than what she’s used to, like a different flavor of muffin
-Potatoes of any kind, mashed, French fries, tater tots
-Yogurt, what kind of toddler doesn’t eat yogurt?!
-Fruit pouches

Every time I do research or ask her doctor they all say the same thing, “she will grow out of it” or “keep offering it, she will eventually accept it”. But it’s been 7-8 months of offering and constant never ending refusals. I’m really starting to worry about her nutrition and making sure she gets what she needs. It’s also endlessly frustrating to dread meal time every single day knowing it’s just going to be a battle and one or all of us end up in tears if we try to push her to eat something she doesn’t want to. Any help that the community can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

-mom on the brink of insanity

My 3 year old is super picky and cycles through favorites.

i wonder if you use any app or method to keep a track of what worked and what didn’t so its easier to plan meals for kids.. These days I find myself making dinner multiple times.

Any recos for pediatrician/nutritionist/therapist?

I am planning to schedule my 9-year-old brother since he had been eating the same food over these past years. He is super picky eater and always just eats nuggets every time as in from morning to night, that is the only dish that he is eating.

Respect post please 🥺. Thank you.

I can't eat eggs if I can taste them. There are a few guaranteed ways I can eat them (in crepes, with potatoes lr in dough) but my parents find jt hard to make them often. They keep calling me spoiled. They also want me to eat eggs regularly. The taste of eggs makes me gag.

Same with fish. I hate the fishy taste. I avoid anything with fish in it. Or seaweed.

Every once in a while, my mom accepts that I can't eat them and tries to accommodate. Most of the time, tho, she acts like it's an extreme deficit in my diet that I won't be healthy without. I eat red meat, chicken, quite a bit of veggies, legumes and fruit. I can eat mussels and usually shrimp (but they act like it's disgusting, which makes me losw my appetite :/) I try to add protein into my snacks. I love sweet drinks, so I drink sugar-free ixe teas and sodas (also bc I have insulin resistance)

She says if I won't eat the very nutritous thing (eggs and fish) I shouldn't eat the less nutritious ones too (means longan, hard to find in my country, and my sugar free drinks)

I'm also neurodivergent and I can see it can be hard sometimes but I genuinely can't eat stuff if it tastes different or eggy/fishy. I've had snacks as dinner before because I couldn't eat the meal. And she gets mad about it too. Says I did it the same, just changed one small thing. That one small thing changes the taste and my appetite. I'm so tired of fighting about eggs everyday.

Hello, I have been a picky eater since I was super little and it’s been hard to adjust growing up. More recently, I’ve had many friends who love sushi. I use to be unable to eat rice before I learned I liked it saucier than plain. Somehow I figured out how to like burgers too. I’m hopeful there is a way I can learn to like sushi so I can go out to sushi spots with my friends and enjoy myself.

Does anyone have advice on what foods may be good as an entry way to sushi? Or maybe ideas on types of sushi that may be better for a picky eater? My main problem is the smell of fish (taste is fine) and a lot has avocado which I dislike the texture of.

I’m really trying to find ways to comfortably push myself to liking new foods even if the selection is limited and I would appreciate any help. thank you!!

Pretty much explains it. I need it to work fast tho and also as to when I should use it

Edit:i dont eat vegetables or fruits and stuff of that kind

My 5 year old has been a picky eater since she was 18 months. During that time I feel like we would make progress then it would get bad again. She has a decent list of safe foods, but she never eats a lot at one time. Just picks at her food. She also only eats the perimeter of certain foods, like nuggets or sausage patties. We've done OT and also appetite stimulant. We have a check up next week and I'm thinking of trying the appetite stimulant again, 3rd times the charm? But also I'm going to see about a blood draw and make sure her levels are okay. I'm sure they're not even with her daily flinstone. Her lack of eating has caused me so much mental turmoil. The thought that I'm not caring for her properly kills me. I've been told she'll grow out of it, but so far not.. anyways. I lost my cool today and apologized, but I feel awful. I'm hoping I didn't cause any issues.... I just feel horrible

So what are food that I would like that go good with rice?

I usually hate eggs but will occasionally crave them (probably need a certain vitamin or something), and I need to increase my protein intake. When I make them I can usually just eat a couple bites until I gag, then the rest of it goes to my dogs. The only type I kinda enjoy is devilled eggs. I've tried them fried, scrambled, omelettes, frittatas, in fried rice but I don't like them at all. I've even stopped eating vanilla ice cream because I can taste the yolk in there, and also find eggnog disgusting.

It sucks because I'm really picky with meat, and burned out on Greek yogurt when I was heavily into fitness. I'm getting sick of beans and lentils.

Am I a lost cause?

I hate

Fish.

If I can taste the fish (from fish sauce) in the dish, i don't want it.

Chicken if mixed with cheese. If you put something on top the chicken then cheese on top of that something, I'll eat it. Only if it has some spices though.

Stuff that's too chewy.

Stuff that has a slimy texture.

Fruit when it's in sweet stuff (unless it's blueberry or banana, or it's hotteok [donut with apple filling])

Fruit cake

A bunch of other shit i forgot, just ask

Edit:

Things that are too sweet. Funny enough i have a sweet tooth though

I hate ANY types of meat except chicken.

Edit 2:

raw bananas.

What kinds of food do you hate? What is it about that food that makes you hate it? Do you think you will acquire a taste for a type of food that you currently hate? How do you react when you see people eating the food you hate?

My kid is super picky, and getting him to eat anything beyond pasta and nuggets is a daily struggle, he hates anything green. Has anyone tried these vitamins? and if kids actually like the taste, texture as well and whether the ingredients are decent. (especially being sugar free and gluten free)

I always check the label before giving my kid anything new. Open to other recommendations too!

Please if you have kids that are old enough to decide what they do and don’t like/ want to eat don’t push it or make fun of them and ask them why. My mom likes to pick at me about how I don’t eat lamb. It’s just something I don’t like. She got stuff to make lamb stew and I told her she already knows I don’t eat lamb at all and started saying “ it’s not your religion “ “ I should have told you it’s beef” just kept asking why and saying how good it is. Here’s the thing I don’t like to eat lamb I’m not sure why I just don’t same thing with pork.

So please parents respect your child’s choice on food preference and don’t make fun of them.

I really never feel hunger. I mean, I've never gone a day without eating, but I only eat a muffin for breakfast and corn for dinner. I tried a new ramen flavor, it was disgusting and I couldn't help but cry. I don't really know why either. I wish eating was unnecessary. The only food I like is vegetables and this one flavor of spicy chips, but I dont eat chips that often. Sadly, I'm forced to eat. I don't understand what to do? I feel like throwing up when I eat but my options are so limited. I like trying new food but I feel hatred to go back to eat it as a meal. Is this weird??

Everyday dinner is a struggle for me
Most days I make a smoothie and call it a day

My kids are 5 and 8 and feeding them is mission impossible

They hate all types of pasta
They hate gravy or anything with sauce

They like plain white rice but nothing mixed with it except yogurt

They like chicken nuggets and im trying to make it homemade sometimes … if they help me in preparing it they might eat it … but even frozen chicken nuggets they like some brands … eating out even fast food they are picky they dont like chicken tenders or chicken popcorn or chicken nuggets that is different than what they are ysed to

Last week we had a playdate with a friend and went to shack shack as a treat … they had the juice and fries they did not touch the nuggets

Its so frustrating as soon after they of course will get hungry

I tried mac and cheese or spagetti they dont even tey it
I tried plain noodles

They will eat an apple or banana
They like cucumbers

They are very weird with bread not every type
And they hate cheese
So on the rare occasion they will eat a burger it has to be a certain type of bread with plain fried chicken no suace no lettuce and no cheese

Hi! My son is six, autistic and going through a picky phase. While these phases tend to get better after a couple of months of work, there are some consistent foods he absolutely will not eat, such as beans and rice. He likes some vegetables, such as peas and broccoli.

Over the past month he’s been increasingly concerned about eating meat and the effect it has on animals, and has told me multiple times he wants to be a vegetarian. His father and I are supportive and willing to make dietary changes, as we share his concerns, but I’m wondering where to start when he’s so restrictive.

I’m even willing to eventually incorporate beans into meals as he gets used to his new diet. I do want to make sure his meals are balanced, he is still growing after all.

All this to say, where can I find picky eater friendly recipes for a budding vegetarian?

My daughter, 10, is very picky about food. While I’ve definitely enabled her over the years, I’m beginning to worry about her overall health and nutrition.

She mainly eats pasta, bread, cheese pizza, and chick fila chicken strips. She refuses to eat anything new, and it turns into an argument. We’ve tried OT, cooking classes, and rewards for trying new foods.

Anyone overcome this? I want her to eat more meat(s) and veggies. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone.

For as long as I can remember I've been a picky eater. I'm in my 30s now and all I eat is junk food, more or less. My parents would always nag me to eat everything and family dinner parties was a nightmare. I would get made fun of for not liking the food, which my cosins would eat, who was younger than me. My younger sister was even worse with eating than me. I say was, because she ended her life years ago. I didn't really realize that we were both struggling with a lot the same issues before it was too late. I never go out, attend social events or any gathering at all, if food is involved. Due to my eating, I''m overweight and struggle with my stomach a lot. Sometimes I have to run 4-5 times in a row after eating. This adds another layer of avoidance when it comes to social gatherings. Even if I like the food that is being served in a social situation, I don't go, due to my fear and anxiety around my stomach. I'm unemployed currently, and have no motation to find another job. I had a job, but they let me go. I would always eat alone with my own food during lunch break, so I never really bonded with anyone at work. Furthermore, my bathroom issue makes me stay at home, a lot. I barely go outside, as the stress I feel of not having a bathroom close freaks me out. My own mind is my worst enemy and I don't know what to do. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Story over, I just needed to get it out. Thanks for reading!

I've always been a picky eater, I'm nearing 30 now and it's hardly gotten any better if at all. I don't remember the last time I ate a vegetable, and I've maybe had two or three fruits in the past year. But damn if I'm not eating junk food and soda all the time.

I usually end up eating the same things, eggs waffles burgers chicken corn dogs pizza and a few other things in rotation, and it's become so tiring. It's given me a sort of bad relationship with eating because it just feels like a chore to pick one of those to eat, and it's the same all the time. I just eat because I have to I guess.

The problem with getting out of it is that it's just.. comfortable I guess? I don't have to risk eating something disgusting, or spending the money on it which would result in serious waste if I don't like it.

I was diagnosed with NAFLD a few years ago, which should have been my sign to shape up, but I really haven't. It's just hard as hell.

I'm super picky about textures and looks on top of just tastes - I think unfamiliarity also plays a huge part in it. It's probably just a huge autism thing. Anyone at all had a similar experience, any tips for breaking the habit at all?

Hi everyone! First time posting here, long time picky eater. I recently got diagnosed with autism and one of the things that made me go get diagnosed was my picky eating due to texture. I don't eat a lot of meats (unless super processed like chicken nuggets or hotdogs), I don't eat many greens, I don't like most fruit, honestly it's safe to say if it's not junk food i won't eat it. Hell, I spent most of my life eating one brand of pizza from this specific place near my house and only recently have I branched out to eat different kinds. For me, i'd say foods that have a relatively even texture throughout like chips or cereal are safe for me but foods that can be different every bite aren't. I also have this weird problem with foods reminding me of "gross" things. For example, won't eat rice because it makes me think of maggots, won't eat grapes because it makes me think of eyeballs, won't eat soup because it makes me think of vomit.

TL;DR: what are some foods you've found that are similar in texture throughout eating that are good for people with texture issues?

Going out to eat with my boyfriend stresses both of us out. I'm guilty of putting the burden of choosing where we eat on him, because he is the limiting factor. He stresses over choosing because he is worried he won't like the food once we get there. I stress out because I'm starving and he can't make a decision. Suffice to say, we don't eat out a lot and we tend to fend for ourselves at home.

Recently he mentioned he would like to start traveling with me more. Of course I would love for him to join me, but I can't imagine how stressful eating in a foreign country would be for him. He says he can just eat McDonald's since they're everywhere, but he doesn't quite believe me when I tell him the menus and the flavors reflect that country's cuisine. I have suspicions that he has ARFID, but he's 50 and has the mindset that if he hasnt heard of it, it doesn't exist but he does admit that trying new food makes him alarmingly anxious. He physically backs up if I offer up a plate or bowl of something he's not familiar with, and he has vomitted if he inadvertantly tries something with an ingredient that has a flavor/texture that doesn't agree with him.

Early in our relationship, I was really impatient with him and we would fight constantly about food. But I worked really hard to better understand him and his food anxiety. We've come a long way, and when traveling within the US we kind of put it on easy mode by eating at chains he's familiar with instead of risking the local cuisine. Any recommendations on how I can help him with international food/travel? The only ethnic food he eats in the US is Mexican (Tex Mex, but he thinks it's Mexican).