autism and food

Post Reply New Topic

I am rigid with meal times and never snack. I eat the same meals for around 6 months to a year and during this time I won't vary my diet. Only when I "overdose" and get sick of them do I change.

I have a lot of problems with food. Most of the time I'd rather just not have to eat.

To list them:

1. I hate anything that has an overabundance of taste. That include spicy, sweet, bitter, etc. I hate spicy food. Can't stand it.

2. I can't eat just plain meat by itself. It has to be "dressed up" with other things. The more "disguised" the better. It's not that I don't like it, it's that I don't like it by itself.

3. Meal times are easily flexible, but I get uneasy when I don't eat in the right order. Breakfast comes first, then lunch, then dinner. So if it's 3pm and I haven't eaten yet (from sleeping in or whatever) I'll still eat breakfast, maybe skip lunch (though that's bothersome).

4. Blemishes on silverware/plates. Can't stand it. I'll pick the least blemished things. It gives me that "unclean" feeling.

5. Sauces. Nope. I eat everything plain. Or rather, "default" as to whatever it is. No extra salt. No pepper. No mustard (hate the stuff). I use ketchup on fries rarely. It depends on the type and where it's from.

6. Texture is a big thing for me. Probably moreso than taste. If it doesn't sit right on my tongue, I can't eat it. I'm not quite sure what the hard/fast rule is, but it seems to vary.

7. I can't swallow pills or large chunks. Have to chew it for longer periods of time. This may be partly caused by my ankyloglossia.

8. I always drink w/e it is I'm drinking after I'm done eating. Unless I need to rinse my mouth or wash something down. Or get rid of spicy flavors (hopefully this doesn't need to be done ).

9. I have to sit on the left of everyone. Seeing as I'm left handed, I'll bump elbows the entire time if I don't. In public, I also need a specific seat, making it doubly challenging to find a place to sit.