Virtual meet ups

An online chat was raised in the meet up as a good way to communciate for people who wanted to attend but couldn't due to distance or timing. Mat has started a topic over at fussy-eaters.com on the idea about an online chat.

Fussy Eaters Forum Meet up

Yesterday I met up with some people from fussy-eaters.com. It was great to finally meet and speak to people who have similar problems / experiences with food. My thanks to Claire (from Adult Picky Eaters) for organising it.

It was really great to be able to have a discussion about an eating problem we all shared to a degree, and for us to have an understanding of it. In the group I did seem to have the smallest range of foods that I could eat but that is not surprising. Although I have tried a lot of things over the years, I've only managed to successfully regularly eat it and that wasn't hard.

It was quite therapeutic to speak openly about something that I try hide and avoid discussing with most people. I was inspired to actually start thinking about setting goals, and not just "I want to eat normally" but small achievable ones.

Getting out of a rut

I've found with new foods, trying them until I like or get used to them is only the half way point. It's too easy to forget and not include new foods in daily or even weekly use. I'm going to set myself reminders/targets to just eat something new everyday for at least a week, going to start small with a snack bar but want to end up soon with a replacement meal. I think I've finally got sick of eating chocolate for every meal, although I still enjoy eating it my body is starting to force me to try different things.

New push

I'm starting a new big push for trying new things. I've also decided to start trying different teas/coffees as I've got into such a rut just not drinking any. I'm aiming to try any different tastes/textures and to keep trying them till I like them or I've tried them 15 times.

Tips for trying new foods

I've found a few things over the years that have helped me try new things. The first is ensuring I have had a little bit of water/something to drink before trying so my throat isn't too dry. I've also found relaxing helps, e.g. listening to relaxing music or just take a few minutes to breathe, tension/added stress never helps. Another important thing I've realised is that the first time I try something is to not let the goal be to eat it but to just get a sample of it, e.g. it's taste or just it's texture. That I've found helps me register it, and especially a sample of it's taste can make me think of it a few days later and try again.

I used to find strong distraction an important technique but have stopped using it in the last few months as it's only helpful to me in a limited area so learning to be able to relax has become more important. I've also had to learn to chew things properly and slowly as with what I normally eat I can half chew it and not have a problem.

What works for you, I'd be interested to hear you tips and techniques.

First time eating in a restaurant

I had my first meal in a restaurant last week. After quite a lot of encouragement from a friend I went out to a restaurant for my first ever meal. It was very strange looking at a menu looking for something to order, specifically chose a place serving pasta as that's what I've tried at home.

The restaurant was nice and quiet so there was little pressure. There were two options I thought I'd go for. The first was Pasta with Tomato Sauce, the second was Pasta with Tomato Sauce, Chili, Red Pepper and Garlic. I went for the second option. The chili certainly had a kick but I was able to eat a enough mouthfuls to feel "full" and thankfully it went well. I did almost gag a bit at the end but it was not strong enough to not overcome. I'm almost looking forward to the next time.

Self Help Support Group for Selective Eaters Meet Up

Claire has posted about a meet up on the Fussy Eaters forum. Read the message for further information - http://www.fussy-eaters.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=562

Cereal bars

I've looked at cereal bars as something considered healthy yet less challenging to try that a full meal. I tried and got used to Kellog's Nutri-gran, although never really enjoyed it but can eat the apple and raspberry one's no problem, I tried the blueberry but it felt too much like chewing gum flavour. Although not based on any scientific data they don't seem that healthy, but I'm not sure but it is obviously a lot more healthy than a chocolate bar.


Although it was good to be able to eat a Nutri-gran bar I wanted to eat a "proper" cereal bar. For a long time I have felt a big wish to go for a decent long trail hike, i.e. several days and nights in nothing more than a tent or basic hut not a b&b or hotel/hostel. My wish is to not take any chocolate or pringles and to eat soups, cereal bars and things that traditionally is made and carried by hikers. Although I don't have any friends yet to do it with, I'm hoping to have some by the time I reach the eating goal side of it. I fondly remember hiking as a kid and the excitement of being in the wild for 4 or 5 days was great and I miss that, just want to have independence from my food.

Subway

I've thought about trying something at Subway for a long time. I find it daunting to go into food places/restaurants as I feel stupid for not knowing much (or anything at all). I've bought McDonalds before from a drive through but have only ended up actually trying their fries/chips.


A few weeks ago I ventured in, after many times just looking in and turning back. I went to the counter and looked at the menu (for what felt like an enternity), I focused on the veggie delite as I'm still weary of trying meat based food (not because I feel I'm a vegetarian as I occasioanlly eat a beef oxo cube). I was surprised at the questions/options, I stumbled my way though feeling embarassed but go out feeling not too bad at the end. I made the mistake of taking the toasted option as by the time I got home it was cold and hard, so I didn't really try it, but did try a few of the ingridents, not sure what they are but they weren't too bad (purple small round things). I felt good at going in, ordering and getting out of there, that itself felt like an accomplishment.

Retaining focus

It's easy to forget what I'm trying to achieve sometimes. I try to focus on heathly foods as my target for trying new foods, but I have to remind myself that almost anything is healthier than chocolate and crips. I want to eat a wider range of foods not only for health, but mainly to be more socialable.