Comments on: Fear the Food http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/ Listen to stories on anything from honeymoons to WWII, from award-winning journalists to first-time writers alike, from anywhere in the world. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:26:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: TheLori http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-62580 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:00:40 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-62580 Wow. I am so glad I"m not alone...I thought I was just the lone paranoid weirdo in a world of people obsessed with eating anything that couldn't get away from them first. I've suffered from food phobias and aversions for...probably close to 15 years now. I do follow all these rules, and more. For example, any restaurant with one or two...or no people in it at any prime mealtime, I will not eat at. Period. I'm incredibly picky about what I will and will not eat, if I don't know how it was prepared or don't know how it was done, I won't eat it. I don't eat anything other then maybe cookies that was prepared in someone else's house. If I don't know how long something's sat out I won't eat it...if it's not really hot (or cold) when I get it, I won't eat it...the list goes on and on. People comment on my weird eating habits, I've been told I have to have an eating disorder...I'm just afraid of how food's been prepared. Part of my problem has been traced to food allergies and sensitivies, I have trouble eating a lot of heavily processed food and artificial sweeteners and preservatives that are sooo common in the American diet, so it made it easier once I learned to avoid those, but I'm still so picky about my food... If anyone has things that have worked for them or help them...or just wants to talk to someone who just gets where you're coming from on this, drop me a line! starshipdelta2000@yahoo.com Wow. I am so glad I”m not alone…I thought I was just the lone paranoid weirdo in a world of people obsessed with eating anything that couldn’t get away from them first.

I’ve suffered from food phobias and aversions for…probably close to 15 years now. I do follow all these rules, and more. For example, any restaurant with one or two…or no people in it at any prime mealtime, I will not eat at. Period.

I’m incredibly picky about what I will and will not eat, if I don’t know how it was prepared or don’t know how it was done, I won’t eat it. I don’t eat anything other then maybe cookies that was prepared in someone else’s house. If I don’t know how long something’s sat out I won’t eat it…if it’s not really hot (or cold) when I get it, I won’t eat it…the list goes on and on.

People comment on my weird eating habits, I’ve been told I have to have an eating disorder…I’m just afraid of how food’s been prepared. Part of my problem has been traced to food allergies and sensitivies, I have trouble eating a lot of heavily processed food and artificial sweeteners and preservatives that are sooo common in the American diet, so it made it easier once I learned to avoid those, but I’m still so picky about my food…

If anyone has things that have worked for them or help them…or just wants to talk to someone who just gets where you’re coming from on this, drop me a line! starshipdelta2000@yahoo.com

]]> by: Lisa http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-62529 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:07:36 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-62529 OH YAY! It's SO good to hear other people have the same fears! I feel like SUCH a freak! I can relate to everyone here. Now...what can I do about it> I HATE living this way. Is there therapy? Exposure therapy scares the heck out of me!! If you have any answers please email me at lisaboyle07@mac.com Any help would be much appreciated. I'm sick of living on crackers! OH YAY! It’s SO good to hear other people have the same fears! I feel like SUCH a freak! I can relate to everyone here. Now…what can I do about it> I HATE living this way. Is there therapy? Exposure therapy scares the heck out of me!! If you have any answers please email me at lisaboyle07@mac.com Any help would be much appreciated. I’m sick of living on crackers!

]]> by: Kimchi http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-61228 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:23:04 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-61228 This sounds exactly like me, too, and I can\'t tell you how glad I am to find anyone else who understands being afraid of food. For the longest time I wondered if I had an eating disorder, but that doesn\'t seem to be it. I am really afraid of being poisoned, that\'s all. All wet foods are suspect, all meats, all dairy. No eggs, ever. I hate feeling like a burden at social occasions that provide food; like an anorectic, I must shuffle things around on my plate to make it look like I\'ve eaten more than I have. Thank God for my husband. My weirdness doesn\'t bother him at all and he\'s always happy to eat off my plate when no one is looking. I also will not drink or eat any food that has been left unattended for even a little while. As well as fearing my food may be contaminated on accident, I worry someone will try to poison me - or drug me, I should say, those date rape stories of long ago still scare me. And I can\'t eat anything that\'s been frozen, although I have no idea why it bothers me. Texture, maybe? This sounds exactly like me, too, and I can\’t tell you how glad I am to find anyone else who understands being afraid of food. For the longest time I wondered if I had an eating disorder, but that doesn\’t seem to be it. I am really afraid of being poisoned, that\’s all. All wet foods are suspect, all meats, all dairy. No eggs, ever. I hate feeling like a burden at social occasions that provide food; like an anorectic, I must shuffle things around on my plate to make it look like I\’ve eaten more than I have. Thank God for my husband. My weirdness doesn\’t bother him at all and he\’s always happy to eat off my plate when no one is looking.

I also will not drink or eat any food that has been left unattended for even a little while. As well as fearing my food may be contaminated on accident, I worry someone will try to poison me - or drug me, I should say, those date rape stories of long ago still scare me. And I can\’t eat anything that\’s been frozen, although I have no idea why it bothers me. Texture, maybe?

]]> by: britt http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-60041 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:02:34 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-60041 Reading this article has made me feel much better about this concern/phobia. In light of ALL the recalls on foods that you'd never suspect to be harmful, I've become downright scared of eating. Glad to know I'm not the only one. You all should explore oil of oregano, garlic and apple cider vinegar as things you can take when you are done eating bc of their antibacterial properties. I've been doing a lot of research on them and began incorporating them into my diet. Might be worth a try! @keshava -- people are getting sick from non-dairy and non-meat products at alarming rates! Spinach, pistachios, peanut butter, etc...you really can't trust anything nowadays. Reading this article has made me feel much better about this concern/phobia. In light of ALL the recalls on foods that you’d never suspect to be harmful, I’ve become downright scared of eating. Glad to know I’m not the only one. You all should explore oil of oregano, garlic and apple cider vinegar as things you can take when you are done eating bc of their antibacterial properties. I’ve been doing a lot of research on them and began incorporating them into my diet. Might be worth a try!

@keshava — people are getting sick from non-dairy and non-meat products at alarming rates! Spinach, pistachios, peanut butter, etc…you really can’t trust anything nowadays.

]]> by: Keshava http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-59883 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:12:44 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-59883 I can empathize greatly with all of the above posts and the fears expressed. However, these are not phobias, they are valid concerns in a society which does not educate us about the very real heath problems generated by eating dairy products and meat (dead animal flesh). Instead of thinking that you have a problem, be greatful that somehow you have been made aware of the inherit problems of eating dairy and meat. If you simply decide to become a vegan - or at least vegetarian - all of these so called "problems" disappear. Over the last 10 years it has become more and more common to say you are vegan or veg and people respect that you are, like Lori says, a "healthy eater." I've even had - many times - restaurants prepare a special meal for me b/c I don't eat dairy or meat. When it arrives, everyone at the table will often express that they want "what she's having!" I can empathize greatly with all of the above posts and the fears expressed. However, these are not phobias, they are valid concerns in a society which does not educate us about the very real heath problems generated by eating dairy products and meat (dead animal flesh).

Instead of thinking that you have a problem, be greatful that somehow you have been made aware of the inherit problems of eating dairy and meat. If you simply decide to become a vegan - or at least vegetarian - all of these so called “problems” disappear.

Over the last 10 years it has become more and more common to say you are vegan or veg and people respect that you are, like Lori says, a “healthy eater.” I’ve even had - many times - restaurants prepare a special meal for me b/c I don’t eat dairy or meat. When it arrives, everyone at the table will often express that they want “what she’s having!”

]]> by: weird phobia http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-59151 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:59:10 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-59151 Fear of dentist has got to be one of the most suffered phobias among people Fear of dentist has got to be one of the most suffered phobias among people

]]> by: Svitlana http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57625 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:53:47 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57625 I like many of the people here, also suffer from an extreme fear of food poisoning. And, it also stems from a food poisoning incident. I created all of the same rules that are posted on this entry. However, it eventually became harder and harder to find anything at all that I felt was safe. My rule list continued to grow over a few years until eventually, I only felt safe eating bread, and I was hungry, but could not eat, all the time. On Thanksgiving of last year, I had a total meltdown, and could not eat anything at the table. Even the food that I brought with me (steamed veggies) were not even appetizing. My entire body suddenly became so weak that I thought I was hypo-glycemic or suddenly severely anemic. I had to FORCE myself to eat all weekend, just little bites so that I would not starve, and was hungry all of the time. Finally, I went to the doctor on Monday Morning, and before I even finished telling him about my incident, he diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He said that if I coudln\'t eat, I\'d have to take some kind of medication. I tried the sample of Lexapro that he gave me and by the second day, I felt so much better. Slowly, I began to take more \"risks\" with food. Now, a year later, I am still taking the medication, and I\'m able to eat, but I still adhere to all of the rules listed above. However, I can finally eat cereal with milk again (milk was a fear food) and well-cooked meat dishes. I no longer have to look at each piece, cut it in half, and thing about whether or not it is REALLY cooked through for several minutes before eating it. To read more, see my blog: svitlanasslavicsoul.blogspot.com I\'d love to hear from everyone to see how they are dealing with their fear of food poisoning! I like many of the people here, also suffer from an extreme fear of food poisoning. And, it also stems from a food poisoning incident. I created all of the same rules that are posted on this entry. However, it eventually became harder and harder to find anything at all that I felt was safe. My rule list continued to grow over a few years until eventually, I only felt safe eating bread, and I was hungry, but could not eat, all the time. On Thanksgiving of last year, I had a total meltdown, and could not eat anything at the table. Even the food that I brought with me (steamed veggies) were not even appetizing. My entire body suddenly became so weak that I thought I was hypo-glycemic or suddenly severely anemic. I had to FORCE myself to eat all weekend, just little bites so that I would not starve, and was hungry all of the time. Finally, I went to the doctor on Monday Morning, and before I even finished telling him about my incident, he diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He said that if I coudln\’t eat, I\’d have to take some kind of medication. I tried the sample of Lexapro that he gave me and by the second day, I felt so much better. Slowly, I began to take more \”risks\” with food. Now, a year later, I am still taking the medication, and I\’m able to eat, but I still adhere to all of the rules listed above. However, I can finally eat cereal with milk again (milk was a fear food) and well-cooked meat dishes. I no longer have to look at each piece, cut it in half, and thing about whether or not it is REALLY cooked through for several minutes before eating it. To read more, see my blog: svitlanasslavicsoul.blogspot.com I\’d love to hear from everyone to see how they are dealing with their fear of food poisoning!

]]> by: Andrea http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57558 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:22:34 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57558 Just a quick reply to Tanja's post, I too got little white worms in a Cadbury Caramello candy bar years ago (white woms = maggots), I believe it to be that the candy was on display for quite some time. One good food tip that I learned, is that if you purchase the "holiday" realted M&M's, cookes, candies, chips, etc they are far mor fresh than the ones that are on regularly on display. Just a quick reply to Tanja’s post, I too got little white worms in a Cadbury Caramello candy bar years ago (white woms = maggots), I believe it to be that the candy was on display for quite some time.

One good food tip that I learned, is that if you purchase the “holiday” realted M&M’s, cookes, candies, chips, etc they are far mor fresh than the ones that are on regularly on display.

]]> by: Andrea http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57557 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:54:30 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57557 Wow, I feel , like I am finally not alone. I got Salmonella poisoning last year (from not fully cooked eggs at a restaurant) and since then food consumption is a chore. I will NOT eat at buffets, will not use the condiments on the table at a restaurant... ever. If I need to attend a potluck, I will always take a dish to share, but NOT eat anything, I will eat prior to going because I do not know what is inside of the other prepared food. Since the poisoning, my digestive system has become far more sensitive and I cannot eat anything that has loads of sodium or preservatives. I know that preparing my own food is good for me, but sometimes I feel so trapped. I do not want to get sick again, getting sick with the SP was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I ended up on the hospital. I fear it to an obsession, it's scary. But I can see there are many others here that have located your blog because they too need some help, answers or just to know that we are not alone in our food hell. I think about this every minute of the day. Thank you for your blog and forum to post our comments. Wow, I feel , like I am finally not alone.

I got Salmonella poisoning last year (from not fully cooked eggs at a restaurant) and since then food consumption is a chore. I will NOT eat at buffets, will not use the condiments on the table at a restaurant… ever. If I need to attend a potluck, I will always take a dish to share, but NOT eat anything, I will eat prior to going because I do not know what is inside of the other prepared food.

Since the poisoning, my digestive system has become far more sensitive and I cannot eat anything that has loads of sodium or preservatives. I know that preparing my own food is good for me, but sometimes I feel so trapped.

I do not want to get sick again, getting sick with the SP was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I ended up on the hospital. I fear it to an obsession, it’s scary. But I can see there are many others here that have located your blog because they too need some help, answers or just to know that we are not alone in our food hell.

I think about this every minute of the day. Thank you for your blog and forum to post our comments.

]]> by: Mike http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57415 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:12:47 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/03/19/fear-the-food/#comment-57415 I'll be the lone male here in a sea of women suffering from the same problem. I wish I didn't suffer, trust me, and I can blame part of it on genuine food allergies, i.e. it's partly 'real'. But more and more it's just something in my brain that makes me scared of certain foods, especially processed meats (contamination) or meats at restaurants (steak well done only), for fear of getting ill. My life is becoming more and more narrow, and I am heart sick over it. Added to it a marriage ending (not connected) and other stress, well, it pushes you over the edge. Just so you know men can and do suffer from this as well. But I just started seeing a therapist, and I think he will be able to help. I’ll be the lone male here in a sea of women suffering from the same problem. I wish I didn’t suffer, trust me, and I can blame part of it on genuine food allergies, i.e. it’s partly ‘real’. But more and more it’s just something in my brain that makes me scared of certain foods, especially processed meats (contamination) or meats at restaurants (steak well done only), for fear of getting ill. My life is becoming more and more narrow, and I am heart sick over it. Added to it a marriage ending (not connected) and other stress, well, it pushes you over the edge.

Just so you know men can and do suffer from this as well. But I just started seeing a therapist, and I think he will be able to help.

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