Trying to try

For me trying foods (new or old) ranges from the worst possible experience through to the greatest. The euphoric feeling when it goes well is hard to explain, but even with that great feeling trying stuff is hard. Although I have now go to the point of being able to eat a simple mixed salad, if I'm not careful I can still gag and throw up. Even pringles which I have been eating for 10 years can get stuck in my throat, and although it happens now and again, it's still the single most scary thing that has happened to me, feeling like I'm going to die. I've have found that it happens when I've not drank enough water and eat too quickly. The good thing is now I can eat salad, I just have to get used to it's taste which is very different from the other things I eat.

A real documentary

I think a proper documentary about teenagers/adults with SED/Food Neophobia should be made. The programs that have been done so far have focused on children or as reality entertainment, I think a program showing the struggles and how people survive and battle their SED would be good for people who suffer in silence. It would also help to raise the attention of the problem and have people gain more understanding. Does anyone agree, not asking for people to appear on it as I'm not making one, but maybe you could share you story either in a comment here or email me (bauc at yahoo.com).

New food

It's been a long while now since I've tried something new, even longer since I've tried something and was able to eat it without any so called methods (distraction/etc). Today I bought a shop sandwich which had cheese, spring onion, mayonnaise and lettuce. While it may not seem much I was able to eat half the sandwich without any problems which is a major achievement for me. While the taste was fairly strong and new to me I can't say I love it, but can't say I dislike it!

Documentary: My Child Won't Eat

I recently watched a documentary on ITV1 called My Child Won't Eat. It revolved around 3 familes with children at varies ages having eating problems. It introduced child psychologist Dr Gillian Harris, who has different methods to most other doctors, by telling parents not to force their kids and to try relax around meals/food.


While I found the program interesting I don't think the eating problems show were that similar to mine. My problem has not been in lack of trying, but lack of ability to not gag on the food going down. However I'm glad to see the program being shown as all increases in awareness about eating problems is good.

Quiet downtimes

I've barely tried anything or thought much about my eating for the past month or so. I've noticed my trying goes through cycles of intense trying and then the demotivating period and then nothing, hopefully it will pick up again soon as I really want to be eating new things just don't want to be gagging on things though.

Cheese on toast

I tried cheese on toast for the first time the other day, I was quite surprised that I found it alright. I can't say I found it tasted of much more than the bread, I just had cheddar with toast but it was alright. I ate half the toasted sandwich, didn't want to push too far in one go, but am going to try again soon. It's great to try something without too much fuss even if its not healthy.

Help with SED

When I was younger after been sent to many doctors who couldn't work out what my problem was or whether I really had one, one doctor told my parents I must be secretly eating things out of the fridge at night, I was sent to several psychologists. The last one I went to, who was the one I was with the longest was probably the best by a long way. Although I didn't necessarily appreciate it at the time it was a great place to talk about my life/problem so openly, it was with them that I've told things I've never anyone else. I eventually stopped going as I felt it was a waste of time, but looking back it wasn't and wished I hadn't. Although I moved a long way now I would take up a session in an instant, maybe I was just lucky to have someone who was understanding.

I think for people who hide their eating habits a lot, they can benefit from speaking to someone who is disconnected from their circumstances and can offer a fresh/different perspective.

Different foods

I find it strange how I react quite differently to foods, for example I've managed to eat carrot and lettuce fine but am really struggling to just get a little bit of fine porridge down. I am trying to try understand why but haven't been able to.

It may just be different expectations, I expected the fine porridge to be easier as I've had it quite watery (milky) whereas carrots I didn't expect to even like let alone swallow. I really need to start eating a better breakfast but finding a cereal is proving to be a greater challenge than I thought it would be, strange considering I thought salads would be harder!

Socialising

Whenever I've been invited to anything that may involve food I've always declined or found an excuse. However this has led to a lack of meaningful socialising. Since I've started to tell people about my eating I've come to realise that learning to get used to people around food may be a challenge all on its own. I wish I hadn't got so bad, but I find trying new food on my own easier than being around people with food, but I seriously want to change so am going on a work meal next month that I originally declined but am nervous to say the least.

Salad

I've been trying salads for a while as buying a mixed bag from the shop is quick and easy to try. But I've found it not necessarily easier, buying the separate ingredients and trying them has been a bit easier the the quality has been better. I've found I can eat carrot and lettuce easily enough but cucumber has been more tricky, I had my first piece of celery but am quite undecided. Celery was quite different to what I thought it may be, but along with cucumber I'll keep trying and hope to get used to it.