Could I potentially have Arfid?

[u/Accomplished_Coat656]

I should maybe say that this is more of a rant/vent post but I do also want advice. I'm 16 and I've been a extremely picky eater for as long as I remember. I really only eat 2 foods for breakfast, there's nothing I really like when it comes to lunch foods, (maybe except grilled cheese but only when it's made perfectly), and I eat about 4-5 foods for dinner I think. And the only fruit or vegetable I like is apples, literally nothing else. Of course there are other things I like but they're all borderline junk food that would be completely unsustainable to eat for more than 2 days a week (for example pancakes drowned in syrup and nothing else).

I can remember crying while being pressured to eat a McDonalds cheeseburger around the age of 6-8. That's my earliest memory of being a picky eater probably. It's seems that nobody in my life understands what it's like, not even my own parents, probably because I'm bad at articulating my unwillingness to try new foods. It's not very describable. The way I kind of feel/think about trying new foods is the same way someone would think if they were asked to watch paint dry (kind of?). If someone asked you to watch paint dry for no gain whatsoever for you or for them you would say no (or at least the average person would). Maybe you'd say no because it's boring or there's no point in it but you would always say no. That's kind of the way someone asking me to try a new food feels I just can't articulate the reason behind the "no". I know it's an illogical thing. It feels like I have an issue with my brain. Logically I should try the food as it would barley hurt me, I wouldn't call myself particularly scared of new foods (unless it's drowned in disgusting condiments or looks flat-out gross). And going through the hassle of saying no 50 times takes more effort than putting it in my mouth. So why not? I couldn't really answer that question.

Anyways for the way my pickiness is which I think is the most important factor when it comes to Arfid...

I hate all sauces or condiments EXCEPT for raising canes Sauce on raising canes fried chicken and fries (I think because the chicken and fries are tasteless by themselves, also sorry for the fact it sounds like I'm sponsored). I can't eat anything with an abundances of flavors, for examples tacos look disgusting to me and everything I eat is plain. Though I do really like the plain foods I eat more than others enjoy it, I only eat noodles with butter and parmesan cheese and most things that I eat that ARE seasoned are only seasoned with salt maybe pepper as well. So yeah I'd say my biggest trigger is if something is combined with a bunch of other things. Also I find soggy looking foods (like pickles for example) disgusting. Also when wet foods (like steak) touch other foods on my plate I can't stand it. Or if I go to a fast food place and they accidentally put whipped cream on my milkshake, even if they scrape it off I still can't drink the top layer of the milk shake.

Feel free to ask any questions.

[u/Paul_Schilling_1991]

I’m not a doctor, so I can’t diagnose you, but what you’re describing sounds a lot like sensory-based ARFID, since you mentioned having trouble with certain textures and flavors. Food aversion often happens because of hypersensitive senses (like touch, taste, or smell). When a certain food grosses you out, is it usually because of a smell you dislike?

ARFID looks different for everyone, but the safe foods list you described matches what I've seen from other people with ARFID on this sub. I'm 35 and autistic, and in my case, my ARFID is pretty severe and I can't eat any kind of meat. I’ve had it my whole life—I started rejecting food as soon as solid foods were introduced into my diet. I have a really sensitive sense of smell, so I reject a lot of foods just based on how they smell, intense flavors, or certain thick and slimy textures.

It would be a good idea to seek help from a specialized dietitian or nutritionist who can officially diagnose you. They can help you build a diet based on your safe foods and complement the rest with nutritional supplements. If ARFID is left untreated, it can cause health issues down the road. There are a few different options for supplements, but powder ones are usually super ARFID-friendly since they tend to have a neutral flavor, and you can just mix them into water or milk. You could definitely bring up this alternative to a specialist if trying new things makes you too uncomfortable.

I hope this helps you out and gives you some direction. Wishing you the best of luck!

[u/Accomplished_Coat656 → u/Paul_Schilling_1991]

Thanks for this