[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We all have a few foods we aren’t particularly fond of eating. That’s OK! If it’s more than a few foods you dislike, maybe you call yourself a ‘
picky eater.’ This behavior is common among children (though many do outgrow pickiness over time and learn to enjoy a wide variety of foods). But what if certain foods really put you off – and you have an
extreme negative reaction to them? This is a sign of what’s known as food aversion.
Are food aversions normal? How do you identify them? What causes them? Can they be harmful? Is there a way to overcome food aversions? Let’s take a closer look.
First, what is food aversion – and what causes it?
A
food aversion s when someone has an extremely strong dislike for a particular food and has a very strong reaction, such as gagging, nausea or even vomiting, when exposed to that food. Needless to say, food aversions go way beyond picky eating.
Food aversions also are different than food allergies or intolerances. There’s often emotion associated with food aversions. For example, if a child experiences a frightful or traumatic event (such as an argument between parents) during dinner, they may associate the food they were eating during with that event going forward, triggering an extreme negative reaction when the food is presented again.
Food aversions also can be caused by changes in hormones, such as during pregnancy. It’s common for pregnant women to crave certain foods and completely avoid others during pregnancy, due to a heightened sense of taste or smell.
Other causes of food aversions are sensory or texture issues. Highly sensitive children or children with autism might avoid certain foods or food groups because of the way the food feels in their mouths.
Lastly, genetics can play a role in food preferences and aversions. Some people have very strong taste receptors that make certain foods taste extremely bitter to them. You can test for this at home with a
"supertaster" test kit. If you’re a supertaster, you probably aren’t a big fan of broccoli or other bitter, strong-flavored foods.
Can food aversions be harmful?
If a person has multiple food aversions or avoids entire groups of foods, it’s possible for them to develop
nutrient deficiencies. This is something to pay particular attention to with developing children.
Children can sometimes go through phases of not liking certain foods, and that’s completely normal. But if they’re unable to eat a well-balanced diet over a more extended period of time, it may be beneficial to seek treatment.
Signs that food aversion is potentially
causing health issues in a child include weight loss, stunted growth, getting emotional during meals, choking, coughing, gagging or vomiting when eating, taking a long time to eat meals and eating 20 or fewer foods.
Adults who develop food aversions are also at risk for nutritional deficiencies if they are avoiding entire food groups or have developed aversions to a large number of foods. Note that food aversions that develop in adulthood also may be a sign of
an eating disorder.
If a person has multiple food aversions, it also can take a toll on social and emotional well-being. The fear of not knowing what’s going to be served at a gathering can be debilitating for some. If stress around eating around others (or otherwise) starts to get overwhelming, it’s wise to seek help.
In general, having one or two food aversions is not typically cause for concern.
Treatment for food aversions
If you think treatment is needed for your food aversions, the best place to start is with your healthcare provider who can refer you to the appropriate expert to address your concerns. Working with a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or
registered dietitian can make all the difference in overcoming food aversion.
With children, there may be a functional issue with chewing or the tongue that can cause aversions to certain textures. Appropriate therapies can lead to huge improvements if this is the case. If nutrient deficiencies are suspected, a registered dietitian can help to provide creative ways to get specific nutrients from a variety of foods and also supply meal and recipe ideas.
Positive reinforcement also may be helpful when a child has a food aversion. It’s recommended that parents avoid making a big deal about eating or not eating certain foods. And never force feed.
Meal time should not be stressful.
For adults, one dietary approach to overcoming aversions is gradual exposure to small amounts of a problematic food. Over time, a person can become “desensitized” and learn to eat or even enjoy food they previously avoided. You might try blending foods to adjust texture, and then incorporating them into sauces or other parts of a dish. Start by pureeing the food, and then try finely diced, next chopped and finally graduate to the whole food.
Again, food aversions sometimes indicate more significant issues, such as an eating disorder. If
disordered eating is suspected, seeking professional care should be a priority.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168592" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693754445057{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/amazing-grass-organic-supergreens-powder"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168591" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693754462463{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/owyn-plant-based-protein-shake"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168590" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693754478868{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/goodles-mac-cheese"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
