Food Neophobia
Since I was born, I have been a picky eater. I do not like trying new foods. Whenever I go out to a restaurant, I will always order the same types of food: burgers, chicken, steak, fries, pasta, mashed potatoes, etc. If a food is new to me, I will most likely not try it, although sometimes I will hesitantly try it. Before trying a new food, I always smell it first. I have always thought I did that beacause I thought a food's smell can determine how it will taste. Now after reading more about food neophobia, I realize it is because I want to protect myself from eating something that could be poisonous or cause me to get sick.
I read a little about food neophobia in the book, and at first, I thought I was food neophobic, since I tend to stick with eating familiar foods. Then I found an article from the New Orleans CityBusiness newspaper about adults with the phobia. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20030512/ai_n10173431/) The assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Marcontell Michel, claimed that being a picky eater and being aversive to new foods is much different that food neophobia. I am very glad I do not have the phobia, like the 23 year old student did (The idea of eating french fries everyday makes me sick!).
For those of you like me who may have food neophobia or just a simple aversion to new foods, this video may help you out!
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I completely agree with your post. I too am an extremely picky eater. When I was a kid I would only order the same foods that I was familiar and comfortable with. I understand now that it is not a phobia with new food because of our reading and your post. I have been a better eater now that I am older and it is near impossible to avoid situations of new foods, but the process of trying new foods is always painful for me, hopefully my children aren't picky eaters haha
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