Why are some people such picky eaters?

Turns out, there's no single explanation for your picky eating habits, but rather, experts suggest a combo of genetics and environment are to blame. Picky eaters are typically unwilling to try new foods, which can be the result of your DNA and your upbringing.

self.com - The Scientific Reason You're a Picky Eater | SELF

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We all know a picky eater or two. Maybe you have that one friend who refuses to step foot in a sushi restaurant even though she’s never tried it. Or the one who turns her nose up at the mention of anything green. Maybe you’re the picky eater, avoiding culinary adventures at all costs, because you’re convinced you’ll hate whatever new and gross-looking food is put on your plate. But why is it that some people are picky eaters when others are willing to try pretty much anything that’s edible? (Seriously, people eat bugs these days. The limit does not exist.) Turns out, there’s no single explanation for your picky eating habits, but rather, experts suggest a combo of genetics and environment are to blame. Picky eaters are typically unwilling to try new foods, which can be the result of your DNA and your upbringing. Marcia Pelchat, Ph.D., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia who specializes in food preferences in humans, tells SELF, “A group in Finland looked at what we call food neophobia, which literally means ‘fear of the new,’ and they found that there is some genetic basis for this.” But neophobia can be greatly influenced by your surroundings, too. “If you have parents who don’t really like to try anything new, you will also be exposed to fewer new foods,” Pelchat says. The opposite is also true: Those who try new foods and have positive experiences are then more likely to try unfamiliar foods in the future. Beyond fear, there’s the fact that different compounds in foods can smell and taste different to different people. One good example is cilantro, which some people love, and others find unbearably soapy—some people actually have a gene that makes them sensitive to a certain component in the herb. Preferences like this can also make some people seem pickier than others. People who are less adventurous may be more hesitant to try new foods. Trying anything new, food included, requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. If you're not very adventurous, you may have a tough time with this. People who seek new adventures or thrills might be more likely to experiment with food. “There is a thrill-seeking personality trait,’” Pelchat says. "It’s been shown, especially with spicy food, that there is some correlation with [trying new foods] and thrill seeking,” she explains. Some experts suggest there's not much of a connection, though, since it's tough to determine what truly makes someone thrill-seeking. A difference in personality traits helps explain why siblings raised with the same food experiences may end up on different sides of the pickiness scale.

Most adult picky eaters start as child picky eaters.

“It’s normal for children to go through a picky stage when they’re toddlers, maybe two or three years old, and that makes sense evolutionarily,” Pelchat says. (When our primitive ancestors first tried new foods, they had to be cautious to avoid being poisoned.) But as we get older, if we continue to avoid new foods, pickiness can persist.

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What is it called when you starve yourself?

Anorexia. If you get an anorexia diagnosis (known as anorexia nervosa), you're not eating enough food. This means you're not getting the energy you need to stay healthy. Some people think anorexia is about slimming and dieting, but it's much more complex.

mind.org.uk - Types of eating disorders - Mind

Body mass index (BMI) and diagnosis

In your assessment, your BMI should not be the only factor your GP or hospital doctor takes into account. Unfortunately, diagnosis and treatment for an eating disorder can be related to your weight. You could have a serious problem with eating, but without meeting the criteria for diagnosis. This can feel very frustrating. However, you should not need an eating disorder diagnosis to get treatment for an eating problem. Usually, your recommended treatment will be for the disorder most similar to your eating problem.

See our page on treatment and support for more details.

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