Safe Foods, and who remembers the Micro Pizza

So growing up I lived on the humble micro pizza, these things came in a stack of maybe 10 and they cost probably 2 pound at the time, now to call them a pizza was the first error as when they were cooked they were like a biscuit covered in pizza sauce and rubber cheese. I survived on these things for years, and very little else. I was seen as a picky eater.

I remember many trips to see doctors about how little I ate, and it was just seen as picky, now we know more about things like ARFID, and  i know looking back I had this.  Its an eating disorder but is strongly linked to Adhd and Autism, and unlike a lot of eating disorders its not driven by fear of weight gain or body image distortion, but sensory avoidance of texture or taste. It could also be low interest in food and a low appetite or a lack of interest. 

Personally for me its sensory with me and food, and still to this day I struggle with some sensory elements when eating, one that stands out is my need to have sauces blended so they are smooth, this can be tough when I eat out etc. or at someone's house but i have learned to eat it but I tend to swallow food whole in this instance.  And it is a struggle but only after many years have i gotten to that point. 

Just recently my wife gave me a bar to try but the texture as soon as it hit my mouth, was disgusting so I had to spit it out,  to anyone who doesn't suffer with ARFID, it all sounds strange I know but having support helps, like my wife who blends everything.

With our daughter we see her stick to a number of safe foods as she knows each time she has them they taste, look, feel the same so the same instant noodles, the same chicken nuggets and a key one salt and vinegar pringles.  Fruit and Veg is a tough one for her and I alike, I have gotten better at eating them over the years , but I can still be hit or miss, and for her its still early in that learning curve.  

Taking vitamins and supplements is helping top up anything that we are missing and staying on top of trying new foods, but if you have someone in your home who is a picky eater make sure you keep an eye on it and if need to get support and talk to your GP,  because it could be more and if support comes early it can help with new food introductions.