Surprising food phobias that you might not be aware of

Birthdays are incomplete without cakes, so are the mornings without a cup of tea or coffee, and you might have elaborate lunch or dinner items. Hence, food is an essential part of our living, but we also enjoy eating different kinds of food wherein some of them satiates our soul and sense. But have you ever heard of people fearing eating something? And I am not just hinting at a subtle hesitation because they do not like how it tastes.

Some people struggle from a legit phobia of food which causes them to shudder at the mere thought of the food item. But is food phobia even a real thing or a made-up mania? According to recent surveys and expert reports, the fear of food known as Cibophobia is an anxiety-related disorder. So how does this phobia occur?

Usually, Cibophobia occurs when an individual encounters a scary and unexpected experience with a specific food. While it may sound trivial to you, phobia causes people who are suffering from it to micro-manage their diet, upset stomach, shortness of breath, dry mouth, etc.

Let us take a look at a few food phobias that people suffer from that you might be unaware about:

Fear of Chocolate

Whether black or white chocolate, we love them all, from children to adults. Whenever they are offered chocolates, they are do not turn them away. It also signifies a lot of things, as cliched as it might be, but during valentine’s day, one gift their loved ones a box of chocolates with a bouquet of their favourite flower. Also, you don’t expect to carry out a birthday party without chocolates, do you?

Do you remember the movie Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory? Both the Gene Wilder and the Johnny Depp one were equally entertaining. In the film, we see Charlie (the loveable protagonist) going to a Chocolate factory, where he wonders with amazement at how different kinds of chocolate are made.

The movie might have been a fictional account of chocolate-making; nonetheless, people could relate to the love of chocolates while watching the movie. Hence, to think that people fear chocolates is a tad bit difficult.

But unfortunately, some people do have a crippling fear of chocolate known as Xocolatophobia. When someone gives them any chocolates, they squirm with disgust and wash their hands off; some even get uneasy that they do not feel like eating anything else at that point.

Fear of peanut butter

What is a classic sandwich combination? Peanut butter and jelly, of course. Whenever you are hungry, and there’s nothing much in the house but don’t feel like going out, what do you do? You scan the refrigerator, take out the bread, jam and peanut butter, and enjoy it to your heart’s content. Besides, it is also one of the most common items that parents send for their children’s school lunches. Also, peanut butter is tasty and healthy, so why do some people have a phobia related to it?

Arachibutyrophobia is a fear of peanut butter that can trigger anxiety and panic attacks in people. Hence, the mere smell and sight of it can make them uncomfortable, so remember to keep it off the menu whenever you invite someone with this phobia.

Fear of garlic and onion

Garlic and onion are the main two ingredients of many dishes that we love and enjoy, especially some of the Asian and middle-eastern cuisines. Besides, don’t we love to gorge on chicken curry or a Chinese noodle soup on a Sunday afternoon?

But that certainly is not an option for those who have Alliumphobia, fear of food that has a strong scent originating from the allium family, including garlic, onions, chives and shallots. Some people find the smell so overpowering that they feel dizzy and throw up; hence, they always have to carefully look for food that does not include the ingredients.

Imagine the awkwardness when people who have alliumphobia have to go out with their friends to an Indian or Arabic themed restaurant.

Fear of vegetables

Most kids find a way to evade eating vegetables simply because they hate them, but some people have a specific fear of vegetables known as Lachanophobia. Furthermore, this is perhaps one of the most severe eating phobias because it deters people from gaining the necessary nutrition from vegetables.

Therefore, they even suffer from particular health deficiencies and disorders, but the good thing is that people can consult doctors and guide them to solve this issue.

Fear of fruits

‘’An apple a day keeps a doctor away’’ relates to the significance of fruits in our daily diet. Also, adding any fruit to our daily food habits helps to keep us healthy and cures many skin and digestive problems.

People, who have fructophobia, a fear of fruits, have to look for alternative ways of nutrition, as they have a particular fear.

The natural sugar present in fruits is the reason why most people who suffer from fructophobia avoid eating fresh fruits, flavoured drinks, or any candy-flavoured food items.

Fear of eating fish

Sushi and Sashimi are a few of the fish delicacies that people worldwide have fallen in love with and acquired a taste for. Besides, fish are a rich source of heart-healthy omega-3s; hence doctors always suggest having it for lunch or dinner.

But people who have icythiophobia, a fear of eating fish, often avoid any food that has any fish-based ingredients. So, going to a sushi bar is a big no-no for them; it does not matter how expensive the caviar is; they avoid it as if it were the plague.

Fear of eating citrusy foods

Nothing says summer than a glass of lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons or lime. Don’t you feel a rush of joy and happiness when you enter your home and your mom or any family member is pouring a glass of lemonade?

We all love relaxing while sipping at some citrus-based drink; it could be mountain dew or some other soft drink. But, simultaneously, people who have acerophobia(fear of tart-like or citrusy foods) cannot say the same; they avoid these kinds of foods.

Lemons or citrusy foods are an essential Vitamin C source and are a good antioxidant; it is too bad that they have to avoid such foods.