By Patty Laushman
Food neophobia, or the fear of trying new foods, is a phobia that unfortunately affects many autistic individuals. Whether you are nervous about trying new foods because of your sensory processing differences, a rigid preference for routine, or other reasons, this can lead to a dietary range limited enough that it can affect your health.
In this blog post, I will explore the intricacies of food neophobia in autistic individuals, from its causes to its impact on your health to strategies for overcoming the phobia.
Like many challenges autistic individuals face, addressing food neophobia demands a nuanced, sensitive approach, one that respects your individual unique sensory experiences while gently encouraging steps toward a more varied diet. So let's get into it!
Causes of Food Neophobia in Autistic Individuals
Understanding the roots of food neophobia in autistic individuals is the first step to addressing it. Several factors contribute to this dislike of trying new foods with many being connected to core characteristics of autism itself.
Sensory Sensitivities
One of the hallmark traits of autism is heightened sensory sensitivity. Many autistic individuals experience sensory inputs more intensely than more neurotypical individuals. This increased responsiveness can make certain textures, smells, or tastes overwhelming.
One obvious result of these sensory sensitivities is a natural dislike of foods that trigger these responses. For example, a food item with a slimy texture or a strong odor might be intolerable for someone with certain sensory processing differences.
Preference for Routine and Predictability
Autistic individuals often find comfort and security in routine and predictability, which can extend to their eating habits. If this is you, you may decide that you want to eat the same foods at specific meals, minimizing variety.
While this may be comforting, if your choices are too restricted, you can end up missing out on important nutrients and have trouble in social situations where others are eating and you are expected to eat with them. Going along with this to fit in or do what is expected may create incredible stress to the point that you avoid situations where you will be expected to eat with others.
Anxiety and Fear of the Unknown
The uncertainty associated with new foods and what the experience of eating them may be like can provoke intense anxiety in many autistic individuals. This anxiety can make trying new foods incredibly unpleasant, even if the food itself ends up being pleasant.
Co-Occurring Conditions
Autistic individuals often experience co-occurring conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues, food allergies, and food sensitivities, that can make the consumption of certain foods uncomfortable or even painful. The discomfort or pain that arises from consuming certain foods can make the experience of eating distressing and create fear of trying new things or eating food that you did not have control over preparing. For obvious reasons, this can result in a deep reluctance to experiment with new foods.
The Impacts of Food Neophobia
Food neophobia is more than a simple reluctance to try new dishes; it can also impact both the health and social life of autistic individuals. The consequences of a limited diet can manifest in various ways, from nutritional deficiencies to heightened mealtime anxieties that affect both the individual and their families.
Limited Dietary Variety
Autistic individuals with food neophobia may have a restricted range of foods they are willing to eat. This restriction typically results in a repetitive consumption of a select few food items they feel comfortable with. As a result, their overall dietary range becomes significantly narrowed, which impacts the diversity of their meals.
Interestingly, one study of 50 adults who were not autistic found those with the highest degrees of food neophobia also exhibited the highest scores on a measure of autistic traits.
Behavioral and Psychological Effects
The stress and anxiety associated with food neophobia can also manifest in behavioral challenges. Mealtime battles can become a common occurrence, with refusal to eat leading to heightened tensions between autistic individuals and those around them.
This can create a negative association with eating and meal times, further entrenching food neophobia. Psychologically, the constant anxiety surrounding meals can lead to a general increase in stress levels in the entire household, affecting overall mental health and well-being.
Nutritional Health Concerns
A restricted diet can lead to nutritional imbalances. Autistic individuals with a narrow range of accepted foods might miss out on important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are necessary for optimal health. This can result in numerous health issues, including weakened immune systems, poor bone health, and even blindness! The long-term health implications can be even more severe, with potential risks of chronic conditions like anemia, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Development of ARFID
At its most extreme, food neophobia can potentially lead to an eating disorder common to autistic individuals called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). ARFID is a condition characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating or feeding, which leads to significant nutritional deficiencies, possible dependence on supplemental feeding, or marked interference with functioning in daily life.
It’s important for individuals showing signs of extreme food neophobia, especially if it's impacting their health or daily functioning, to seek guidance from licensed healthcare professionals who can provide strategies to gradually expand the range of foods they are comfortable eating.
Strategies to Address Food Neophobia
Addressing food neophobia in autistic individuals requires a thoughtful, patient, and often multi-faceted approach. As previously mentioned, these strategies should be tailored to each individual's specific needs and sensitivities, with a focus on creating positive and stress-free experiences around food.
Gradually Expose Yourself to New Foods
One effective way to introduce new foods is by doing so in a slow, non-threatening manner. Start with small changes, such as introducing a new food that is similar to foods you already eat to reduce the perceived risk.
Gradual exposure helps desensitize you to the sensory aspects of new foods at a comfortable pace. This might involve first getting used to the presence of a new food on the plate, then touching or smelling it, then holding it to your lips, and finally tasting a small amount.
Get Involved in Food Selection and Preparation
Selecting and preparing your own food can really help demystify new foods and make them less intimidating. This can be as simple as picking out a new fruit or vegetable at the grocery store or helping with washing and sorting food items. Such activities provide a no-pressure way to interact with new foods, building familiarity and comfort.
Use Preferred Foods to Introduce New Ones
Incorporating aspects of preferred foods, such as texture or color, into new food options can make them more appealing. For example, if you prefer crunchy textures, introducing new foods with a similar texture might be easier for you than foods unconnected to what you already know. This approach leverages the comfort found in familiarity while gently expanding the range of accepted foods.
Practice Consistency and Patience
It's important to maintain consistency in these strategies and be very patient with yourself in the process. This is not a simple problem with a simple solution. And don't forget to celebrate every minor achievement in broadening your food choices. Acknowledging your successes will help you when a new obstacle seems insurmountable. Looking back frequently at how far you’ve come over time provides much-needed, built-in encouragement.
Conclusion
Food neophobia in autistic individuals is more than a mere reluctance to try new foods – it's a complex interplay of sensory sensitivities, a need for routine, and various other factors unique to autism. These challenges not only limit dietary diversity and nutritional intake, but also affect social interactions and the overall well-being of those affected. It can also create a lot of stress in the household.
Taking consistent tiny steps toward ensuring a balanced diet and enhanced quality of life will help you get where you want to go. Strategies like gradual exposure to foods similar to those you already enjoy and getting involved in food preparation can empower you to increase your options and possibly even find joy in the culinary world!
Remember that overcoming food neophobia is not about achieving a “normal” diet. Instead, the focus should be on broadening your diet in a way that promotes nutritional balance and minimizes stress around eating. Ultimately, the objective is to ensure your nutritional health, minimize stress around eating, and possibly even engage with others around food in a way that optimizes your quality of life.