Picky eating

[The Outsider]

I suspect this might be closely tied to Asperger’s. I’m very picky about the kinds of food I eat and a lot of stuff I simply don’t like. For example, if I order fast food I want it to be plain because otherwise they’ll add extra stuff I don’t want. Sometimes they mess up the order and have the extra stuff on there anyway. I can take it off but I shouldn’t have too for them not following the order correctly. Also taking food off leaves behind a faint taste of what used to be on there. If I’m at a sit-in restaurant I often look for some sort of chicken tenders and fries. It’s one of the few things I’m sure to like.

For some reason some people get really angry at those who don’t like certain food. Well excuse me for being sensitive in my tastes. Even me not liking the smell of particular food can be enough to turn me off from it. Now I’m not talking about me wasting someone else’s food but me not getting it in the first place. I won’t get regular school lunches because I don’t like how low quality the food seems to be. So I often bring my own lunch.

One particular issue was when I was in a place for some days. I didn’t really like the food there so I often got stuff out of the vending machines. One time I ordered something and gotten the wrong food. When I complained about it to the staff I was dismissed that “food is food”. Like what is wrong with those people? For a place that’s supposed to help people with different disabilities you people sure seem dismissive of certain issues.

There was a some very early in my childhood where my father forced me to eat some particular food I didn't like. I don't recall the details of it very well. It was some sort of bread with brown meat or something. By forced to eat I mean a time limit without getting spanked. This was long before I was known to have Asperger's but still that's just uncalled for.

Why this drama and backlash for me simply not liking certain food? It’s not like I’m only eating junk food or something. Even a quick Internet search shows a lot of negativity toward picky eaters. To close this off without being entirely about me, is there any connection being a picky eater and autism?

 

[The Penguin]

I always been a picky eater. I worry sometimes when I eat at someone else house that servers something I don't like.

 

[The Outsider]

I always been a picky eater. I worry sometimes when I eat at someone else house that servers something I don't like.

That actually becomes an issue for me. Often I might not like the food that someone might have on offer. It gets even worse in that case because if it is home made cooking then they might take offensive that I didn't like their cooking. Ugh, I can't stand how I basically become the "bad guy" because I can't help it if I don't like the taste of certain food. There's not even a nice way to say it either. Am I supposed to just keep eating something I don't like just so they'll feel better about it? This is just one of the many, many issues I have with basic social interaction.

 

[NeoPhile]

There is a connection between autism and being a picky eater. It has to do with sensitivity issues. Many autistics, myself included, are "Super tasters". That means we taste things other people don't. My stepmom, who doesn't understand, criticized me for picking celery out of a soup she made. It's amazing. I think some people don't have taste buds or something. They told you "Food is food?" That is so incorrect. I usually just fix food my way because I know what I want.

 

[the_tortoise]

I think the connection between autism and "pickiness" is in sensory sensitivities to the taste, smell and/or texture of foods.

Why the drama and backlash? I don't know. But it's their problem, not anything wrong with you. You like what you like, dislike what you dislike, and that's perfectly fine.

 

[Suzanne]

I wouldn't call myself a picky eater as such, but I cannot taste just for the taste, because it stays in my mouth and makes me feel sick and yep, that is even if I liked the taste. It has always marvelled me as I see my husband taking a little bite of something in the morning, before he has even brushed his teeth and tries to get me to and I just cannot do that.

I live in France ( come from the uk) and they tend to mock us for our "particular" choice of foods and in truth, I do not stomach well French food at all and it is AWFUL going into the supermarkets here, because all I can smell is strong cheeses.

No one can talk about certain subjects when I am eating, because I will not be able to continue eating. I hate it when my husband wipes his mouth on his hanky, because I am the one who has to clean them and the imagination is too sickening to me, but sadly, even if he has a napkin, as soon as I see food particles ( just makes me feel sick thinking of it) or oil marks etc, I ask him to please remove it, and sometimes he does, but most times he stubbornly refuses because as he says: that is what napkins are for! The embarrassing part, is that I am not a tidy eater myself, so I do feel rather hypocritcal.

When I was a child, the house was so dirty that I would have to look at my plate only until I had finished the food, otherwise, I would not have been able to eat, and so, probably, partially comes from that.

It is frightening if you are in an environment where they cater to ones with disabilities, because they should know better, but sadly, it shows it is just work to them; obviously have no decent training.

 

[Suzanne]

That actually becomes an issue for me. Often I might not like the food that someone might have on offer. It gets even worse in that case because if it is home made cooking then they might take offensive that I didn't like their cooking. Ugh, I can't stand how I basically become the "bad guy" because I can't help it if I don't like the taste of certain food. There's not even a nice way to say it either. Am I supposed to just keep eating something I don't like just so they'll feel better about it? This is just one of the many, many issues I have with basic social interaction.

Oh boy, this did happen to me! My husband and I were invited to this French couple's home to eat with them and actually, my husband is the picky eater and very vocal about it too; whereas I keep quiet, but get anxious inside.

Anyway, the lady of the house had cooked her own pizza up and I mean: by scratch ( even the base) and proudly presented it to me and the first thought was: what the heck is that foul smell? But I was determined and so, took my first bite and immediately, my eyes start watering and I could feel myself wanting to heave, which put a wave of panic through me. Never have I loved red wine so much at that point lol I just gulped it down to take the disgusting taste away, but it continued and it got to the point that I had no choice but fess up! How embarrassed I felt, but she was so nice about it. However, my dear husband chose that time to say: oh I don't like this either!!!!

I discovered it was goat's cheese and even though I am told there are different varieties, I still cannot cope with trying!

 

[toothless]

i think your food sensitivities are definitely related to your autism,the outsider.

i personally dont see it as being a picky eater/picky eating, as to me that is what alot of NTs call it as they dont understand the sensory sensitivities of ASD,they think we are being picky when really our sensory sensitivities are controlling what we eat.

i am like you i only eat plain stuff,but if food arrives and has things on it that shouldnt be there [such as ordering a pizza from dominos/pizza hut and it comes with cheese on] i cant touch it,and my support staff have to ask for a replacement because they messed up.

i cannot tolerate any food that has got sauce on it first and if theres several types of food,on the plate they cant be overlapping or touching each other,i also have an extremely limited diet plus i have an annoying routine [thanks to my OCD] i can only eat one meal a day at 11pm every day,youd think id be skinny but im fat.
food causes incredible anxiety for me and id rather not eat,i went over 4 years without food once-though id been forcibly put on ensure plus milkshake 3 times daily when i couldnt even manage one of them as they are so vile,but i would forcibly try to do at least one as i noticed a great deal in my mood.