Food Anxiety

Submitted by BrainMinimum7402 t3_10zbvyu in springfieldMO

Does anyone here have food anxiety? I don’t know if it’s an eating disorder or a anxiety disorder.

but basically I struggle eating healthy meals because the idea of huge meals stresses me out.

Like tonight I really wanted some leftover chicken, but I needed to heat it up and cut it up otherwise it looked to overwhelming to me. The same thing goes for burgers, steaks, any big meals. It’s like the bigger it is the more I’m stressed by it.

Does anyone else struggle with this? I also have an issue where if I eat out I only eat a little, like my anxiety makes me feel full until I get home.

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i-mdirtydan t1_j82nljy wrote

You are definitely not alone in feeling this way

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BrainMinimum7402 OP t1_j82nsfu wrote

Okay thank you.. like I will go hard on some queso and chips and other apps because they are small and broken up, but when it comes to big meals or regular I guess I am so overwhelmed I can’t eat and my body just tells me I’m full.

And also when I’m cooking because of the small or maybe just me doing the cooking it makes me not hungry anymore

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i-mdirtydan t1_j82qsu9 wrote

Definitely. I’m drawn to bite sized quick solutions. If I actually take the time to prepare something for myself and my spouse, I’m not hungry anymore. Seeing a doctor soon about it, I’d recommend the same?

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BrainMinimum7402 OP t1_j82qx81 wrote

I am a student and got kicked off my parents insurance, this is my first year with active insurance and my appointment is March 1st. I plan on bringing it up. I’d love to hear any updates on yours!

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[deleted] t1_j82ocsw wrote

[deleted]

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BrainMinimum7402 OP t1_j82on2w wrote

When I meant healthy I didn’t necessarily mean “healthy” I meant just a full meal. I struggle eating consistently everyday, I more snack because it’s less intimidating to me

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enickma1221 t1_j82svwg wrote

When you were a kid were you forced to clean your plate before leaving the dinner table or anything draconian like that?

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BrainMinimum7402 OP t1_j82t3ny wrote

There’s only one time I specifically remember when i didn’t want to eat a chicken wing cuz it’s grossed me out(love them now) that I sat until they gave up. But that’s the only instant.

I have a hard time paying attention, it takes me a while to eat snacks/Meals in any sitting

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enickma1221 t1_j82txih wrote

I think your anxiety is worth talking to a behavioral therapist about. Good luck to you, and hang in there!

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[deleted] t1_j838hgp wrote

[deleted]

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BrainMinimum7402 OP t1_j83euxt wrote

Sushi I think I can handle! I don’t think I’ve had an issue unless we are in a public setting and eating

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kahluastud412 t1_j83e35z wrote

I've struggled with anxiety in general, I know my therapist I see here in town has a specialty in this. May be helpful to talk to a professional about it. Psych associates

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notnotpegbundy t1_j840ja4 wrote

I am so sorry you’re experiencing this, it must be exhausting. Do you get overwhelmed when you go to cut up a big piece of chicken to make it more appealing to you? Do you cook at all? Does it have to come pre cut up? Trying to think of ways to help.

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oleshorty t1_j84v9ew wrote

Are you malnourished? Eat small meals or snacks if that is what's comfortable. As long as it's nutritionally sound. Some days I get by on avocados, mixed nuts and sweet potatoes. Best of luck to you.

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GutterGrooves t1_j85kc4g wrote

I don't like eating in front of people and will avoid it at almost all costs unless it's with family members or something.

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limesfordinner t1_j89l2rb wrote

It sounds like you dont just have anxiety. I am not a doctor. But I have suffered for years from food anxiety and seen specialists for it. You are obsessing over this concept of large food portions, and I think your anxiety and OCD are bouncing off of each other. It may, at this point, be something your brain clings to whenever you view this big piece of chicken for example. So many times you've seen an overwhelming portion, your brain has this automatic reaction.

What I would suggest is making yourself smaller portions, and ordering smaller portions. Instead of the adult plate, perhaps you need the child's plate. When you receive that big cut of chicken, break it down. Cut it and determine, this is what I will eat now. And this is what I will eat later. But I will eat it, because I've spent money on it, it has been prepared, and it will feed me essential calories my body needs to function. I know it's hard but try to retrain your brain to think of new thoughts. See the portion in new ways. Perhaps this leftover will need to be divided into two, perhaps you don't need the entire thing at the moment. There's nothing wrong with having a little chicken, waiting thirty minutes, then having a little more chicken.

And, if it's about feeling like you're eating too much, just be realistic and knowledgeable about the calories your food contain. Read the nutrition facts. Do research when you go out. Simply knowing off the top of your head how many calories are in a chicken breast might give you some reassurance.

Hope this helps!

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matramepapi t1_j8etyza wrote

Have you ever heard of ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)? Mine presents a bit differently, I have a mental list of “safe foods” and textures and the idea of deviation from that makes me anxious. It’s not as commonly talked about as other EDs, but finding out about it really helped me. r/ARFID is a wonderful community, you may relate to some of the experiences there.

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