When Picky Eating Becomes a Bigger Problem
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
7/16/2010 12:21 PM
: 168 comments
: 18,044 Views
Growing up, I remember my mom had a friend who would not eat anything green. She had tried, but it was almost like she couldn't force herself to take a bite of something if it was green. When we talk about picky eaters, the first thought that usually comes to mind is a child who won't try anything new. But many adults who have been labeled as "picky" aren't being particular by choice; some have diets that are so limited it interferes with relationships and has a significant impact on their lives.
Up to this point, doctors have been unsure how to classify picky eaters because they don't fit the traditional definition of an eating disorder. Most of these people don't limit their diets because they are trying to lose weight, but their behaviors are still considered a type of disorder. Researchers from Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh recently launched the first national public registry of healthy eating. According to the researchers, "It will allow people to log in and report on their unusual eating preferences and habits. Doctors hope the effort will spur the development of improved treatment techniques for adult picky eaters."
For these folks, picky eating doesn't just mean they don't eat green foods or won't eat any seafood (like me.) Many of them only have a small handful of foods they eat regularly, which can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and health problems. Since their food choices aren't motivated by weight loss, what causes some people to be so selective with their food choices? Doctors theorize that many picky eaters are more sensitive to texture and smell than the average person.
"A taskforce studying how to categorize eating disorders for the new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, due out in 2013, is considering recognizing for the first time a disorder to be called "selective eating" that could apply to adults as well as children."
Although most of us would not fall into a category of picky eating that is this severe, a lot of people have strong preferences about foods that can make it difficult to make dietary changes. If you're someone who has never liked fruits and vegetables, for example, learning to incorporate these foods into your daily diet can be a challenge. It can also be a challenge for your family and friends. I have some relatives who are very picky and cooking for them or choosing a restaurant that all of us can enjoy is a huge headache.
Are you a picky eater? Is it something you're trying to change, or have you just learned to adapt? Does it affect your family or friends?
Up to this point, doctors have been unsure how to classify picky eaters because they don't fit the traditional definition of an eating disorder. Most of these people don't limit their diets because they are trying to lose weight, but their behaviors are still considered a type of disorder. Researchers from Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh recently launched the first national public registry of healthy eating. According to the researchers, "It will allow people to log in and report on their unusual eating preferences and habits. Doctors hope the effort will spur the development of improved treatment techniques for adult picky eaters."
For these folks, picky eating doesn't just mean they don't eat green foods or won't eat any seafood (like me.) Many of them only have a small handful of foods they eat regularly, which can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and health problems. Since their food choices aren't motivated by weight loss, what causes some people to be so selective with their food choices? Doctors theorize that many picky eaters are more sensitive to texture and smell than the average person.
"A taskforce studying how to categorize eating disorders for the new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, due out in 2013, is considering recognizing for the first time a disorder to be called "selective eating" that could apply to adults as well as children."
Although most of us would not fall into a category of picky eating that is this severe, a lot of people have strong preferences about foods that can make it difficult to make dietary changes. If you're someone who has never liked fruits and vegetables, for example, learning to incorporate these foods into your daily diet can be a challenge. It can also be a challenge for your family and friends. I have some relatives who are very picky and cooking for them or choosing a restaurant that all of us can enjoy is a huge headache.
Are you a picky eater? Is it something you're trying to change, or have you just learned to adapt? Does it affect your family or friends?
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Comments
But seriously, I've met people who don't like certain strong food smells, or textures, or even colours. I can't imagine the misery explaining to people not liking onions (which tends to be in everything) or meat (especially if the veggie choices are limited to salads -- with meat). - 1/25/2011 8:00:28 PM
I am a picky eater in that I can't swallow foods of certain textures. I try new foods all of the time! I can put it in my mouth and chew it, but when I try to swallow it, I gag and I can't get it down. I have tried tasting the same food over and over, but it continues to happen. I eat a lot of food that is bad for me, because I can eat it. I don't even really like the taste of a lot of this food.
I want to love, or even just be able to swallow vegetables! I try new recipes, different cuts and cooking methods, and the only thing that works is pureeing the vegetable. This is to time intensive for my schedule(particularly for a girl with a full-time job, a part-time job, and a full-time student).
- 7/29/2010 5:36:43 PM
My husband has similar problems with fish, and he won't eat vegetables unless they are prepared just right, and only if someone else makes them. - 7/24/2010 7:36:54 PM
I wish I knew what caused such an extremely dislike to certain foods for me. Some people have suggested I may be a super taster. But it really is a big problem in my life. Eating out especially can be a nightmare! - 7/22/2010 9:36:37 AM
Finally, he moved from the US to South Korea for a job, and decided to face his phobia head-on -- he made himself take a bite of everything he was offered, no matter how scared he was. He found that although he might not love everything he tried, the unfamiliar food wasn't so terrifying after all. He still prefers to eat the foods he grew up with, but he no longer panics when faced with something new and different.
I wonder how many "picky eaters" have a true phobia of new food like my friend did. It implies that really severe picky eaters who want to overcome it could succeed by treating it as a phobia -- gradually increasing exposure to the thing they're afraid of until they're desensitized to it. - 7/21/2010 2:34:29 PM
My boyfriend is the opposite of me - he loves fast food, enjoys seafood, and will eat peppers in their raw form. :P
Believe me, finding a meal or place to eat for the both of us has put strain on our relationship at times. - 7/21/2010 1:36:27 PM
- 7/21/2010 4:30:08 AM
That said, I'll try most foods. There are foods I refuse to eat, like bread. - 7/20/2010 1:36:16 PM
However I have made it a mission to make sure my kids eat a large variety of foods. The great thing is as they have gotten older they also will eat foods that at one time they didn't like much. I am really proud of myself for getting them to eat a lot more variety than I will eat. - 7/20/2010 1:14:22 PM
I think it really depends on the person as to how picky they are and if they are up to the challenge of beating it every once in awhile (more than that would be too much stress). - 7/20/2010 10:13:29 AM
I'll eat anything as long as it's a plant. :) Honestly, you guys who eat meat/fish/by-products routinely eat, what, six species? Cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, pigs, fish? Add eggs and milk and you've only got 8 things I won't eat that most Americans will. That's not picky at all. ;) The only veg I don't like is eggplant. I have issues with REALLY spicy stuff, too, so I avoid hot peppers. The rest? Fair game!
Being vegan has actually broadened my food preferences and opened up my taste buds. I'm much more adventurous now than I was when meals were meat, processed grain/starch and a wimpy serving of veg dosed in cheese or butter. - 7/19/2010 4:24:59 PM
There are also many fruits I can not eat, but only because they really upset my stomach. So while I love the taste of apples, pineapples, and citrus fruits, I know I will be in massive amounts of pain if I indulge. - 7/19/2010 4:19:09 PM
The only thing I get hesitant about nibbling on is beef jerkey - if I think about how it looks too much, I gross myself out and won't eat it. (Anybody who has taken an human anatomy class will know what I am talking about!)
As for picky eaters causing problems in their relationships, I can attest to this, as my boyfriend is very picky. It really grates on my nerves sometimes; I'll make a really nice meal, he eats it, says that he LOVES it asks what's in it, and then as soon as I tell him it has pineapple juice in it, he freaks out and spits it out like a ten year old. Seriously? And then he wonders why I don't make him dinner anymore! :P There's only so much pasta and bread a gal can eat before she goes crazy! - 7/19/2010 2:23:46 PM
I love veggies. I think this has to do with the fact that I grew up on a farm and if you wanted to eat something, you had to harvest it yourself. Also, if you didn't eat what you were given, then you didn't eat at all! - 7/19/2010 12:44:10 PM
I've gotten a lot better, though. I used to never try new things, or eat any veggies other than carrots or celery; now I'm willing to give almost anything a shot, unless tomatoes are involved.
- 7/19/2010 9:07:15 AM
I have found that I really enjoy food now and always clean my plate. I find myself thinking "If I'm taking the hit for the calories, I'm eating the thing". I eat things now that I can remember snubbing in my "previous life". One example is avocadoes. I used to not even consider eating them...yuck! Now? I can't get enough of 'em - the problem now is that I have to be careful about how much I do eat! - 7/19/2010 7:51:29 AM
At our house, we always had fresh fruit, carrots, celery and even broccoli and cauliflower to snack on. Initially, Rob would only eat an apple or an orange. Then he tried grapes (Ummm, good!). Then he gradually progressed to where he would eat any fruit we had for a snack.
One day, with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, my son wanted some celery with cream cheese. After first acting like he was gagging, Rob ate some. He had a concerned look on his face, but he took a couple more pieces of celery.
Over the course of the summer, we had kids from all over the neighborhood at our place for lunches, snacks, and often, dinners.
One evening in late August, Rob's mother came down and wanted to talk to us about what he ate when he was here. Concerned that Rob may have been allergic to something, we quickly told her of everything we served.
His mother then asked how we coaxed him into eating those things, foods that he NEVER ate at home.
We had never "coaxed" him at all. We simply put food on the table and our two high energy boys ate anything that came on a plate. Mimicking his friends, so did Rob.
Of the hundreds of young people we've hosted throughout our sons growing years, we've never had a picky eater, at our house.
IMHO, sometimes being a "picky" eater is something the child has taught the parents to gain some control - and the parents have fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.
On the other hand, I do know of children who've had a bad experience with one food and then transfer that experience to many new foods.
Me? The only food I won't eat was a favorite of my Mom's - pickled pigs feet (yecchh!) - 7/18/2010 10:51:05 PM
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