This was a lightbulb moment for me. I had a fairly dark subject of fascination that went on for years and years starting in childhood. I never understood it, and it never felt dark to me. It made my brain happy. Now recognizing it as a “special interest”, it makes so much sense. Thankfully it has passed now, but it went on a really long time till my brain found something else more appealing to replace it with.
The thing that helped me with eating better was getting one of those food box subscriptions. One of the worst things for me is deciding what to make, then getting all the right stuff and finally making it. Removing those first two steps helped like crazy. I just pick my meals for a week at a time in advanced, then it shows up on my step with everything I need! Its great!
I really relate to the stress of being hungry but also sort of food-repulsed, it's so hard to get out of. I find that at those times I either want something intensely flavourful but specific (e.g. my favourite stir fry) or, more often, something very simple in terms of flavour (chips, crisps, chocolate, bread with vegan butter, something with only two ingredients). But I find that if I can get myself to eat regularly it really helps, so I have a lot of go-tos which I don't have to think about making, sort of autopilot-meals. They've changed over the years and tend to be very simple and quick recipes so not much time invested, but it really helps me find my appetite and hear my hunger cues. Drinking something calorific also helps when I'm really struggling to eat enough during the day (orange juice, smoothie, or coffee with loads of milk).
So much of this is similar to my experience with food, I've always been that "picky eater" that can't think of anything they actually want to eat. Even since being diagnosed I didn't think of it as anything more than that... Feels like it should have been more obvious when I've never known anyone else who had to fight to figure out anything they're willing to eat.
I swear it feels like at least once a month I realise something I thought was just normal or just one of my quirks is actually a common autistic thing 😂
Really enjoying your videos, thank you for sharing your experiences (also I love listening to your accent). I am not diagnosed but have suspected I may be autistic for a while. I relate so hard to being the picky eater as a child, up until my teens, and even a little now with certain textures and flavours. It caused a lot of distress when others stared and made fun of my eating habits. And going out anywhere, for a sleepover, school camp, restaurant always caused panic at not knowing what food I would be able to eat.
THANK YOU for yet another wonderful video. totally relatable in many ways. and YES to the idea of body neutrality. "I dont feel anything negative or positive about it. It allows me to move about and do what I need to". My life completely changed when I started aiming for that and away from all the active self hatred. you are amazing and so influential in positive ways! thanks again.
I have a lot of tooth anxiety' ive never had a cavity' but one time i over medicated woth moith washes amd bushed 4 times a day and it did some weird tempory gum damage' on the up side im the greatest Brush your teethies coach for two stepdaughters ive had had.
I use meal supplement drinks from the pharmacy. The kind meant for eg cancer patients who've lost their appetite. You could also get prescribed a drug that has increased appetite as a side effect, like mirtazapine. That could help with the repulsion to a degree.
This was a lightbulb moment for me. I had a fairly dark subject of fascination that went on for years and years starting in childhood. I never understood it, and it never felt dark to me. It made my brain happy. Now recognizing it as a “special interest”, it makes so much sense. Thankfully it has passed now, but it went on a really long time till my brain found something else more appealing to replace it with.
The thing that helped me with eating better was getting one of those food box subscriptions. One of the worst things for me is deciding what to make, then getting all the right stuff and finally making it. Removing those first two steps helped like crazy. I just pick my meals for a week at a time in advanced, then it shows up on my step with everything I need! Its great!
That’s a good call actually, I’m gonna have to look into them! It sounds like the ideal solution
I really relate to the stress of being hungry but also sort of food-repulsed, it's so hard to get out of. I find that at those times I either want something intensely flavourful but specific (e.g. my favourite stir fry) or, more often, something very simple in terms of flavour (chips, crisps, chocolate, bread with vegan butter, something with only two ingredients). But I find that if I can get myself to eat regularly it really helps, so I have a lot of go-tos which I don't have to think about making, sort of autopilot-meals. They've changed over the years and tend to be very simple and quick recipes so not much time invested, but it really helps me find my appetite and hear my hunger cues. Drinking something calorific also helps when I'm really struggling to eat enough during the day (orange juice, smoothie, or coffee with loads of milk).
So much of this is similar to my experience with food, I've always been that "picky eater" that can't think of anything they actually want to eat. Even since being diagnosed I didn't think of it as anything more than that... Feels like it should have been more obvious when I've never known anyone else who had to fight to figure out anything they're willing to eat.
I swear it feels like at least once a month I realise something I thought was just normal or just one of my quirks is actually a common autistic thing 😂
Really enjoying your videos, thank you for sharing your experiences (also I love listening to your accent). I am not diagnosed but have suspected I may be autistic for a while. I relate so hard to being the picky eater as a child, up until my teens, and even a little now with certain textures and flavours. It caused a lot of distress when others stared and made fun of my eating habits. And going out anywhere, for a sleepover, school camp, restaurant always caused panic at not knowing what food I would be able to eat.
THANK YOU for yet another wonderful video. totally relatable in many ways. and YES to the idea of body neutrality. "I dont feel anything negative or positive about it. It allows me to move about and do what I need to". My life completely changed when I started aiming for that and away from all the active self hatred. you are amazing and so influential in positive ways! thanks again.
I have a lot of tooth anxiety' ive never had a cavity' but one time i over medicated woth moith washes amd bushed 4 times a day and it did some weird tempory gum damage' on the up side im the greatest Brush your teethies coach for two stepdaughters ive had had.
I use meal supplement drinks from the pharmacy. The kind meant for eg cancer patients who've lost their appetite.
You could also get prescribed a drug that has increased appetite as a side effect, like mirtazapine. That could help with the repulsion to a degree.