All Alone

by Karen
(Orlando, Florida)

I'm 59 years ago and up to about 15 minutes ago, have lived with my eating habits with the thought of being the only person to have such peculiar ways and habits.

I was always a fussy and picky eater. My family loved to eat all kinds of ethnic and gourmet foods. I went to the best restaurants. Growing up in Brooklyn I was exposed to every food imaginable. I HATED IT. I can tell you stories of how my father put wonderful food on my plate and I would start crying. By the time I was forced to put it in my mouth I was not only crying; but choking on it. Just the thought of the food made me sick. The SMELL. Those smells triggered my brain to say "no". I looked like a hamster with it's cheeks full. My father made me swallow it. I made sure it was in ity-bity pieces. If I ate slowly... then I wouldn't have to put anything else in my mouth.

My choice of food has not changed. I eat no condiments, no pickles, no salad dressings, no fish, no strange spices, no vegetables except carrots, lettuce, celery and potatoes. I like most common fruit. I know...... I'm missing a lot of good foods. I eat beef, pork and chicken grilled, fried, baked or rotisserie d.

The thought of eating something NEW sickens me. I smell everything. I think my sense of smell is sharper than normal. The sight of so many foods turns my stomach. My brain totally says no. At 59 years old I don't think there is anything that will change me.