Help with Severe Food Aversion and Food Anxiety

I have lots to say on this! I'm sorry to go on so long, but if it helps it's worth it :)

From what you've said it seems this problem started with your parents feeding you poorly. My parents did the same, I basically didn't eat anything growing up that didn't come frozen in a bag or a box. I decided to make the change when I was about your age and today at 27 I eat pretty clean, and when I do pick processed foods I carefully check the labels to make sure they're the best and healthiest options.

One problem that you're undoubtedly having is that your palette has been dulled by eating foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. When you eat this kind of stuff on a regular basis your taste buds change and the wholesome foods that you're supposed to be craving just taste like crap by comparison. You literally cannot taste the goodness.

Your mental aversions will have to be overcome but luckily if you can force yourself to eat cleaner foods for just 30 days your taste buds will basically reset, and it will get easier! Pick out a very simple, very limited menu of unprocessed foods that you can eat and focus on those for 30 days. Apples, bananas, potatoes, lightly-salted peanuts, anything like that. Meat if you can prepare it but stay away from cured meats. Try to avoid cheese for the time being. No fast food if possible. Eat as much of the clean things as you want, go crazy. Don't think that you have to go hungry, just eat better stuff and you'll lose weight.

If you love fries make them yourself in the oven; preheat to 425 and cut up 2 potatoes into french fries or cubes (they are a little easier to cook right in cube form). Put 1-2 T oil on them, some salt, pepper, garlic, paprika if you like, shake them around and bake them for 40 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking. If apples are kinda gross, you can peel them and cut into slices, and eat them with peanut butter.. although make sure you're getting a peanut butter that is all natural with no high fructose corn syrup.

Check the label on any food you're considering eating and if it has high fructose corn syrup, PASS. If it has a pile of weird sounding ingredients, pass. There are so many options at the grocery store and it can be confusing. Always check the labels and make sure the one you pick has the best and fewest ingredients. You'll see and feel a change. Unfortunately the better options usually cost a little more. For instance you can buy trashy ketchup for next to nothing, but if you want to get one that has no high fructose corn syrup (heinz does make one) it's going to cost a few more dollars. It's worth it! Bad food is dirt cheap, but good food is worth the extra.

Good luck. Like I said your taste buds will reset. As you start to eat better the healthy foods that once sounded, and tasted, totally gross will begin to appeal to you more. If you keep at it this will snowball and you will really enjoy begin to enjoy the all the amazing flavors the earth has to offer. Your situation is the direct result a food system that was perverted decades ago starting with the industrial revolution; folks are now seeing the error of this but it'll take a while before the industry turns all the way back around. But a change is in the works and more natural, healthy foods are well on their way back into popularity.

/r/nutrition Thread