Over time, my favorite foods have changed. When I was around two years old, all I wanted to eat was Cheetos. Through grade school, one of my favorite things was Goldfish crackers. Currently, I am not all that into eating meat, which again is not good, because of my low B-12 levels. My favorite thing right now is pasta. Any kind of pasta. I like a variety of sauces, although meat sauce is not my favorite. Also, too much cheese sauce makes me sick and nauseous. Plain tomato sauce is my favorite. One example of my changing likes and dislikes is asparagus. I used to hate it as a kid, like most kids would. When I tried it for the first time, I liked it and ate it for a while. Then one day, something changed, and I hated it again. I haven't liked it since. I just now, in the past year or so, started liking cooked carrots. I used to only like them raw.
Even though my sensitivities have gotten better over time, they are still a major factor in my life. They still hinder me quite a bit. An example of them getting better would be pizza. When I was younger, I used to eat pizza by first eating the toppings, then the cheese, and the crust. Now, I can eat pizza all at once like everyone else. However, I still will only eat pepperoni pizza. Texture and taste are my main problems with food. Things that are slimy, gritty, lumpy, or things like that are unappealing to me. Also, things that taste too spicy, sour, unusual, or things like don't appeal to me either. Here are some examples:
- slimy-asparagus, the fat on meat
- gritty-applesauce, pears
- lumpy-tapioca pudding, mashed potatoes that aren't fully mashed
Many people don't understand my extreme food sensitivities. Some think it's something a person with autism can get over or that it's all in our heads. It's not. It has to do with the way our minds process sensory information. We can't change the way our minds are wired and work. Some of my friends, however, understand my sensory issues and are mindful when we eat together. They know that if I don't eat something, it's because of my autism; not because I'm being rude. They then are not offended. Some friends, if they cooked the food, even make different or special foods if they know I will not like foods they have prepared or were thinking of preparing. I love having supportive and understanding people! Bottom line: Be understanding of people with autism and their sensitivities to foods, or any sensitivities for that matter. They aren't being rude or difficult. It's just a trait of the condition that they can't help.
"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~
