What's wrong with my brain?

Question

I'm practically vegan as I don't eat or use animal products such as meat, leather, gelatin, etc., I eat cheese about once a week, and I only eat other dairy products and eggs if they are in something (cake or cookies, stuff like that). My problem is that I don't eat anything. The main foods I eat are rice, corn, potatoes (baked, chips, fries), carrots, iceberg lettuce, polenta, veggie burgers, soy nuggets, white whole grain bread, and pasta. All the other foods I eat are probably all junk food, goldfish, wheat thins, cookies, etc. I know my diet isn't very good and I would like to eat other things but I have like a phobia of trying new foods or something and somehow I or something else has me convinced that everything I don't eat now tastes disgusting. I also have another phobia of food touching. I have to have separate bowls and plates for each thing I eat because if they touch I won't eat it. I also can't eat things I think look weird. Does anyone have any tips to help me?

Answer 1

You're eating starches almost exclusively, and that will leave you malnourished. The problem isn't being vegan, though. The real clue is, "somehow I or something else has me convinced that everything I don't eat now tastes disgusting. I also have another phobia of food touching. I have to have separate bowls and plates for each thing I eat because if they touch I won't eat it."

This is obsessive compulsive disorder, or obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCD or OCPD). It won't get better on its own, but it can be treated. Please see a psychiatrist (not a counselor, not a psychologist, because you may need medication to deal with this) and tell him/her exactly what you said here. Please get help, because it can get worse. I'm not saying it will, but it could affect your life negatively in more and more ways until you deal with it. Take this as an early warning sign and see a professional about it. I wish you the best of luck with this; at least you have a sense that something is wrong. I know someone who won't get help because he thinks nothing is wrong with him. It's really pitiful.

Answer 2

First stop kidding yourself, you're not a vegan. If you are going to eat eggs and dairy in baked good you might as well eat them when they're not in baked goods. Plus your falling into a trap of eating non-substatial foods. You can't live on starches alone, get some nuts into your diet. Also eat some tofu, it has tons of nutrition. But my sugestion is stop lying to yourself of what you are, my guess is you like the term vegan more that you like the principles. I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to get you to realize what you are actually doing

Answer 3

I agree, you should really talk to someone. Also, try a natural nutritionist who maybe even provides some counseling. Also, if you do decide to get over your fears, start small.
For instance:
1. Try long-grain or brown rice instead of white rice (if that's what you eat)
2. Make sure to eat fresh corn not canned, and try to stay away from frozen as often as possible. Fresh vegetables always have the highest most potent content of vitamins.
3. Try to eat red potatoes with the skins left on instead of white, peeled potatoes. **Note - Red skinned mashed potatoes with butter is awesome!
4. Chips are not super healthy even if they are baked when they are made out of potatoes. Try to eat some corn chips that are baked instead. They also have bangin' flavors of corn chips today.
5. Try to eat sweet potato fries (not dripping in grease!) instead of regular white potato fries. They are slightly sweeter and loaded with beta carotene which is great for your eyes (among other things). Try them as baked as well with some butter. They're great! Also yams are different, but similar to sweet potatoes, try them too.
6. Carrots are great to eat but don't totally over-do-it because you can actually cause harm when you absorb too much beta carotene.
7. Switch from iceberg lettuce to fresh dark green, leafy romaine lettuce. Not the lettuce that you buy in bags!
8. Polenta is ok but do not just eat that alone, add lots of vegetables. Maybe try a Garden Salad with assorted cheese (cut in chunks) and top with pan-fried, crispy Sun-dried tomato polenta. Toss with some Balsamic vinagrette. mmmm.
This one may take a while because of the mixed food thing, but try it sometime anyway!
9. Try to find a recipe to make your own veggie burgers. The frozen ones aren't really all that nutritious.
10. Try real whole grain bread (not white). Experiment with different kinds. For a mild start, try real whole grain wheat bread. Try not to by really processed square loaves that are usually really really soft. They are the least healthy. Real whole grain breads should be hearty, not super fluffy.
11. Try whole grain wheat pasta or spinach pasta.
12. Goldfish aren't horrible. Just remember to eat them in moderation.
13. Wheat thins are okay.
12. If you upgrade the rest of your diet to a healthy state, cookies are fine. Just don't binge!

The key to health is "everything in moderation".

Print this out to keep for when you are ready to try my suggestions.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

OH MY GOSH!

YOU HAVE THE SAME THING I HAVE
...BUT MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE MESSED UP THAN ME!!!!!

I have the same "phobia" as far as new foods and being picky.
However I'm not anything like a vegan and I LOVE popcorn shrimp and cheeseburgers... with bacon... but I always end up asking for my sandwiches plain because I get grossed out looking at a slimy tomato or disgusting mustard or... or... (THE HORROR!) lettuce. I also don't like corn or peas. They are my arch Nemesises!!!

Answer 5

Drive to McDonalds go through the drive threw. Order yourself a double quarter pounder and super size the fries. First smell it. Then lick a little of the salt off of one of the fries. Yes you are going to like it. Take a drink of the pop. MMMMMMMM fountain pop. Now take a bite of the burger. I know you can do it. Trust me it will be good. now a few fries. I think you got it. next try a sub from subway. Then move on to Taco Bell. Meat is good and good for you. I am glad I could help.

Answer 6

You are in danger better to consult a doctor.