So I'm Not Crazy?
So apparently I may not be crazy... Thanks to the wonders of the internet I found out about something called Sensory Processing Disorder.
I've always been an extremely picky eater. When I was little I would only eat a handful of things such as hot dogs, mac & cheese, pizza and chicken. Fruits and vegetables were always out of the question. Food was not allowed to touch each other, either in preparation or once it was on the plate. If you stir the vegetables in one pan, you absolutely cannot stir the pasta with the same spoon. (My Mom jokingly calls it "contamination".) Lucky for me, my Dad has a similar problem. We eat slightly different foods but we both have the same small variety that we'll eat.
People have always asked me why I don't like food and I have a hard time explaining it's the texture not the taste. I will drink apple juice but won't eat apples. I will eat tomato sauce but can't stand tomatoes. Just the thought of corn makes me nauseous and actually putting it in my mouth makes me gag. Crunchy potato chips are good. Crunchy popcorn is bad. I hate to suck on things. I don't like hard candy or lollipops. Gum is a big no. Processed food is good because the texture is even. I think that's why I always liked hot dogs and chicken nuggets. I think it all thoroughly confuses my roommate. Just when she thinks she has the rules figured out, I throw her off again by declaring I don't like something else.
So I finally got curious and fired up Google. And it quickly returned: Sensory Processing Disorder.com.
From the checklist:
1. Hypersensitivity To Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):
__ picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, picky about brands, resistive to trying new foods or restaurants, and may not eat at other people's houses)
---> Absolutely yes! Although I have gotten better in the last few years, I still have a very limited list of food I'll eat.
__ may only eat "soft" or pureed foods past 24 months of age
---> "Mushy" foods are best: mashed potatoes, ice cream, overcooked pasta. Processed meat such as hot dogs are better than "real" meat such as steak.
__ may gag with textured foods
---> Certain vegetables such as corn, "mixed" textures such as squishy and juicy.
__ has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing; may choke or have a fear of choking
---> I don't like sucking on things like lollipops. I dislike food that you have to chew excessively. I couldn't swallow pills until I was 16. And it took me an hour an half to get the first one down.
__ resists/refuses/extremely fearful of going to the dentist or having dental work done
---> Don't have this one.
__ may only eat hot or cold foods
---> Things that are supposed to be hot should be hot. Things that should be cold need to be cold. I won't drink milk if it's been out of the fridge for 10 minutes.
__ refuses to lick envelopes, stamps, or stickers because of their taste
---> I don't enjoy the taste... but if I have to I will. Although I have been known to cheat and just get an envelope wet with water.
__ dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash
---> I hate brushing my teeth. I can't stand the taste of toothpaste or mouthwash. Although the orange mouthwash is doable. And I brush my teeth quickly and then I have to brush them again with just the plain toothbrush to get the taste out of my mouth.
__ avoids seasoned, spicy, sweet, sour or salty foods; prefers bland foods
---> This was true until about 2 years ago. Now I enjoy seasoned and spicy foods. It makes trying new stuff easier now since I can just put spices on it to help override some of the texture.
So... I'm not crazy! There is a reason I don't like stuff beyond being "picky". In the last few years I have been making an effort to try new things though. I will eat fish and steak now. I've even worked up to being able to eat raw carrots and small amounts of cucumber. But I'm sure I'll continue to confuse and annoy people by not liking most foods. But at least I'm not the only one. :)
I've always been an extremely picky eater. When I was little I would only eat a handful of things such as hot dogs, mac & cheese, pizza and chicken. Fruits and vegetables were always out of the question. Food was not allowed to touch each other, either in preparation or once it was on the plate. If you stir the vegetables in one pan, you absolutely cannot stir the pasta with the same spoon. (My Mom jokingly calls it "contamination".) Lucky for me, my Dad has a similar problem. We eat slightly different foods but we both have the same small variety that we'll eat.
People have always asked me why I don't like food and I have a hard time explaining it's the texture not the taste. I will drink apple juice but won't eat apples. I will eat tomato sauce but can't stand tomatoes. Just the thought of corn makes me nauseous and actually putting it in my mouth makes me gag. Crunchy potato chips are good. Crunchy popcorn is bad. I hate to suck on things. I don't like hard candy or lollipops. Gum is a big no. Processed food is good because the texture is even. I think that's why I always liked hot dogs and chicken nuggets. I think it all thoroughly confuses my roommate. Just when she thinks she has the rules figured out, I throw her off again by declaring I don't like something else.
So I finally got curious and fired up Google. And it quickly returned: Sensory Processing Disorder.com.
From the checklist:
1. Hypersensitivity To Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):
__ picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, picky about brands, resistive to trying new foods or restaurants, and may not eat at other people's houses)
---> Absolutely yes! Although I have gotten better in the last few years, I still have a very limited list of food I'll eat.
__ may only eat "soft" or pureed foods past 24 months of age
---> "Mushy" foods are best: mashed potatoes, ice cream, overcooked pasta. Processed meat such as hot dogs are better than "real" meat such as steak.
__ may gag with textured foods
---> Certain vegetables such as corn, "mixed" textures such as squishy and juicy.
__ has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing; may choke or have a fear of choking
---> I don't like sucking on things like lollipops. I dislike food that you have to chew excessively. I couldn't swallow pills until I was 16. And it took me an hour an half to get the first one down.
__ resists/refuses/extremely fearful of going to the dentist or having dental work done
---> Don't have this one.
__ may only eat hot or cold foods
---> Things that are supposed to be hot should be hot. Things that should be cold need to be cold. I won't drink milk if it's been out of the fridge for 10 minutes.
__ refuses to lick envelopes, stamps, or stickers because of their taste
---> I don't enjoy the taste... but if I have to I will. Although I have been known to cheat and just get an envelope wet with water.
__ dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash
---> I hate brushing my teeth. I can't stand the taste of toothpaste or mouthwash. Although the orange mouthwash is doable. And I brush my teeth quickly and then I have to brush them again with just the plain toothbrush to get the taste out of my mouth.
__ avoids seasoned, spicy, sweet, sour or salty foods; prefers bland foods
---> This was true until about 2 years ago. Now I enjoy seasoned and spicy foods. It makes trying new stuff easier now since I can just put spices on it to help override some of the texture.
So... I'm not crazy! There is a reason I don't like stuff beyond being "picky". In the last few years I have been making an effort to try new things though. I will eat fish and steak now. I've even worked up to being able to eat raw carrots and small amounts of cucumber. But I'm sure I'll continue to confuse and annoy people by not liking most foods. But at least I'm not the only one. :)