Boring eater

Although I wouldn’t choose it, I think it would be a very good thing if such a thing existed, to at least give people the choice without compromising their physical or mental health.

I have things about me that are medically abnormal and have needed treatment. I'm not ashamed of it.

The D in Arfid even stands for disorder. That’s not having a go at people who suffer from it, just stating a fact. It’s interesting that people who enjoy food and like their companions to enjoy food are framed as being jealous of those who don’t enjoy it. I could have choked to death once, it was a very scary experience so I can understand how a fear of food can develop, even now year’s later I try to chew very mindfully, and my own mother had food issues, so I have empathy for Arfid sufferers but jealousy, no.

Yet you're that one suggesting people with them are abnormal...

This would really put me off. I like cooking with DH, eating together, trying new foods especially in different countries.

My husband is like that. No interest at all. He says if food could come in pill form that would be brilliant. He just does not care about it.
When hes not hungry its like food doesnt exist. Then he gets hungry and grabs whatever is closest.

He once got what he thought was a can of peach slices from the cupboard, opened it, discovered it was actually carrots and just ate them straight from the tin and went about his day.

I love my food. Love things to taste nice. If he wants to eat an accidental tin of carrots it doesnt bother me at all. Food is just food imo.

Having a disorder or disability isn't shameful.

I would definitely take the pill option!

Some people feel jealous or annoyed when others are not bothered by food. People with strict diets or food guilt often feel envy.

People have preferences around food and that's okay. Just stop being rude.

You're assuming someone like me would have an issue with that? That's the point I keep trying to make. I love going out for lunch with friends and will go wherever they choose. In fact, I hate it when people try to factor my preferences into a decision as they puts pressure on me and I still might not like everything the menu.
If you want to spend time with me then invite me and let me worry about what I will eat. It's really as simple, as that.

Most people don't have AFRID. It is by definition then not the norm.

Or they could make their own.

Yes but you said jealous. Why jealous?

Define normal though? It was a rude comment.

I have a couple of friends where we meet up a few times a year (we live in different parts of the country) and we take it in turns to choose where to eat. None of us have a bland palate so we are able to choose wherever we want (within a normal budget). So it could be Asian, Mexican, Spanish, we don’t have to run it past each other. That to me is my preference for eating companions. Having lunch together is a big part of our meet ups.

It's a disorder. It doesn't make a person a bad person but its not the norm.

Don't worry - I wouldn't want you investing any of your social energy on me. That transactional approach to friendship isn't for me.

BTW I didn't pick up on it earlier but when I looked back I can see you refer to knowing 'enough normal people'. Newsflash, people like me are normal, just different to you. Don't be so rude.

Because they are not concerned or consumed by it. People do seem to spend a lot of time thinking about food.

Some people feel envious or frustrated when others can eat without stress, guilt, or obsession.

Really? Why would someone, other than maybe someone who is 600lb, be jealous of someone who is indifferent to food?

Not threatened in the slightest. What do you mean by that?

I think it’s jealousy in some cases. It makes some people envious, that there are other people who are not bothered by food!

The same food is a bit of a strawman. Restaurants obviously serve different dishes. I just wouldn't want to invest too much of my social energy on someone that would be too restrictive on what dining out or takeaway options would be available. This would rule out a significant other with an eating disorder for me. It might not for a friend I could go for drinks with instead.

Yes but it’s also sensory (hence why Arfid exists). It can be a negative sensory experience or a positive one. If food was turned into a pill (like they thought it would as a futuristic concept) and you could choose which option you wanted there would be people who want that and people who want actual food, even though they’re ultimately doing the same job. Same with sex, its function is to procreate but people still do it without wanting to procreate. Food and sex have been intertwined for a very long time because of the sensory experience.