This reads like a disgruntled picky eater trying to convince the world that there's nothing wrong with being a picky eater and everyone should approach the concept in the way that this one specific person wants it to be approached.
Unfortunately, due to being quite texture and taste/smell sensitive, I am a picky eater.
I will try things, but I am very particular about what I eat.
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So I won't throw a tantrum, but I will dish myself lots of something I like, or in the absence of such a dish, I will veeery slowly nibble on things that are weird or distasteful to me. I really hate wasting food and I hate being picky, so I will absolutely keep that food wrapped up and carry it around until I either give it to a friend at the occasion, or a homeless guy, or park it in my fridge until it inevitably goes off.
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My main problem is that things are often so flavourful that it physically hurts my mouth. Sour hurts different (it's broad and flat?) and that's fine, but salty and spicy can hurt sharp and long, like having papercuts in your mouth. So I get overstimulated by the flavours, like rubbing sandpaper on your face.
/cont/
I think it might have to do with the fact that I've always been very sensitive to textures - apparently I'd get bad rashes as a kid if clothes were even mildly scratchy, and my face would swell up if I had certain baby foods.
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Additionally, my sense of smell is stupidly good. I can, for example, smell when cockroaches are re-infesting our apartment building long before seeing them. I can smell if my partner took one hit of a vape at his office, and the exact flavour and brand. I can smell when people are getting sick.
But basically what I was wanting to say @garlog, is that this is a safer way to approach a picky eater because often we don't even like being picky. It sucks just as much and it's frustrating and embarrassing. I often just end up going without food instead.
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My favourite food is bland clean pasta. No sauce, mayyybe a pinch of salt to a pot of pasta. It has its own flavour. Alternatively clean wraps. Just the wrap out of the package. Nothing on it.
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I really like most fruits and vegetables (except pre-diced frozen veggies that taste like cardboard box) and will happily eat those as my main food. Also lamb chops, steak, and ostrich steak with a bit of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Oxtail and tongue is a vibe. Shredded chicken and mayo also, dig it very much.
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Hate soggy bready things. Too much sugar physically makes my scalp tingle. Spicy makes my stomach hurt because I took too many painkillers for my back when I was younger and it fucked my stomach lining.
I was thinking the same thing. My kid is a picky eater and I do believe it is sensory. He favors distinct, often bland, flavors. Like plain pasta, veggies or meat. He won’t eat a steak cooked well-done—doesn’t like the texture. He doesn’t like cooked carrots… texture. He is perfectly happy not to eat at all rather than eat something he doesn’t like. He has a very keen sense of taste/smell and doesn’t want the overload.
When I was young, I was also very picky. For the same reasons. Textures bothered me. Flavors could be too intense. Or bother me because they have too many components. So, I relate to him and other picky eaters. I’m not so picky anymore, but I still don’t eat fish. And texture can ruin a meal for me.
My boyfriend is a picky eater whereas I'm a human trashcan, I'll eat everything (well, almost everything... I can't stand mushrooms because of the smell and texture) and I love discovering new things. So far it's been... interesting. Buuuut I got him to try Indian food and he loves it now! *takes a victory lap*
I will try things, but I am very particular about what I eat.
.
So I won't throw a tantrum, but I will dish myself lots of something I like, or in the absence of such a dish, I will veeery slowly nibble on things that are weird or distasteful to me. I really hate wasting food and I hate being picky, so I will absolutely keep that food wrapped up and carry it around until I either give it to a friend at the occasion, or a homeless guy, or park it in my fridge until it inevitably goes off.
.
My main problem is that things are often so flavourful that it physically hurts my mouth. Sour hurts different (it's broad and flat?) and that's fine, but salty and spicy can hurt sharp and long, like having papercuts in your mouth. So I get overstimulated by the flavours, like rubbing sandpaper on your face.
/cont/
.
Additionally, my sense of smell is stupidly good. I can, for example, smell when cockroaches are re-infesting our apartment building long before seeing them. I can smell if my partner took one hit of a vape at his office, and the exact flavour and brand. I can smell when people are getting sick.
.
My favourite food is bland clean pasta. No sauce, mayyybe a pinch of salt to a pot of pasta. It has its own flavour. Alternatively clean wraps. Just the wrap out of the package. Nothing on it.
.
I really like most fruits and vegetables (except pre-diced frozen veggies that taste like cardboard box) and will happily eat those as my main food. Also lamb chops, steak, and ostrich steak with a bit of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Oxtail and tongue is a vibe. Shredded chicken and mayo also, dig it very much.
.
Hate soggy bready things. Too much sugar physically makes my scalp tingle. Spicy makes my stomach hurt because I took too many painkillers for my back when I was younger and it fucked my stomach lining.
When I was young, I was also very picky. For the same reasons. Textures bothered me. Flavors could be too intense. Or bother me because they have too many components. So, I relate to him and other picky eaters. I’m not so picky anymore, but I still don’t eat fish. And texture can ruin a meal for me.