It’s a known fact that food and cooking bring most people comfort and happiness. But while most of us would drive to our favorite fast food chain whenever we need a little uplifting, it’s not the same for some people. For others, certain foods or food-related activities bring them intense fear or anxiety. There are a whole lot of clinically recognized food phobias that affect people’s lives, and today, we’ll introduce you to 10 of them.
Note: It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect that you have any of these food-related phobias. Keep an open mind when reading.
10. Deipnophobia – Fear of Dining or Dinner Conversations
While the idea of having a dinner date or dinner with families might make some of us dread the day, it’s terrifying for some people. They suffer from Deipnophobia, so they often eat alone in silence. Deipnophobia is also a social phobia that is a result of genetics. This usually stemmed from a traumatic experience over a failed dinner date or a luncheon that went really badly.
9. Ichthyophobia – Fear of Fish
Just the mention of fish alone makes people suffer from Ichthyophobia, terrified. Even the sight or smell of a fish is frightening enough, so they avoid places with sushi bars. This fear came from the idea that consuming mercury and other contaminants in fish may lead to illness. For them, fish are a bad omen, waiting for doom to happen. The cause of Ichthyophobia is unknown, so common therapy includes hypnotherapy or exposure therapy.
8. Mycophobia – Fear of Mushrooms
Some people may dislike mushrooms, so they often separate them from dishes. But for those who are suffering from Mycophobia, it’s a different case. The intense fear of mushrooms stems from concerns over poisonous varieties or maybe the texture and appearance of fungi to them.
7. Phagophobia – Fear of Swallowing Food and Drinks
Phagophobia could be life-threatening, as some could even be terrified to swallow their saliva. With this, individuals who suffer from Phagophobia often skip meals that could lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Often, people with this phobia feel like there is something stuck in their throat. But when they have to eat, they avoid certain textures and tend to overchew.
6. Turophobia – Fear of Cheese
Cheese may be a universally loved food and ingredient by many, but that’s not the case for those who fear it. For them, just a mere sight of cheese (of any kind) or smell could trigger them with levels of distress. It usually came from a traumatic childhood memory or a negative association that formed through the years.
5. Orthorexia – Fear of Eating Foods That Aren’t Pure
Orthorexia isn’t an eating disorder; it’s a phobia that takes eating healthy a little too far. Why? People who suffer from it are terrified that they will eliminate fat, sugar, and salt completely. To say the least, orthorexics are obsessed with the purity of their food, so they restrict their diets in unsafe ways.
4. Xocolatophobia – Fear of Chocolates
Chocolates are the ultimate comfort treat for many of us. However, people with Xocolatophobia tend to avoid holidays like Valentine’s Day and Halloween, fearing that they may encounter chocolates. They may create social situations, frustrations, and stress when encountering chocolates. Extreme cases involve those who immediately run for the sink when they accidentally touch chocolates.
3. Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of Peanut Butter Sticking to Roof of Mouth
Those with Arachibutyrophobia aren’t frightened by the sight of peanut butter, but they would be when you serve them something with peanut butter. This fear stems from their possible suffocation when eating peanut butter. This would show through panic, irregular heartbeat, or choking, depending on the severity of the phobia.
2. Lachanophobia – Fear of Vegetables
No, Lachanophobia doesn’t refer to children not eating vegetables, but it’s a much deeper fear of them. Those who suffer from it find grocery shopping stressful and eating out challenging, as the sight of vegetables causes nausea and shortness of breath. Those with Lachanophobia find it challenging to practice a balanced diet since they avoid vegetables at all costs.
1. Mageirocophobia – Fear of Cooking
There are days when you dread cooking. However, this could be a stressful and terrifying activity for some; they completely avoid it. Mageirocophobia may be a social phobia associated with the fear of giving people food poisoning or making an inedible dish. While for some, ugly-looking foods overwhelm them. As for others, they fear accidents like burning or getting cuts while cooking.