Are there people who aren't fussed by food?

[Martacus]

I'm someone who loves food. I'm often thinking about my next meal and I get excited when my local deli does a new sandwich filling.

I wondered if there are many people who are not like me, and don't get that much pleasure out of food? (Just like I don't get pleasure out of e.g. watching sport, which loads of people love).

Are there people who eat mainly to not be hungry anymore and don't think food is very exciting? Or does everyone love food?

I think I know one person like this. They eat to satiate their hunger and never seem to show much actual pleasure in food. I’ve never heard them say, “that was delicious, we have to come back here” or “that was lovely, I’ll make that again/ please make them again”. Interestingly they never overeat either and are incredibly sanctimonious (!) about those who overindulge and are quite cruel to overweight or obese people.

I'm a bit like that. I hate cooking and am not very adventurous with food. Don't particularly like eating out, and when I do I prefer going to a cafe for lunch or brunch to going to a restaurant for dinner. If a menu is on the fancy side, chances are I will turn my nose up at most things on it. I'm happy with a pizza any day!

I wish I wasn't bothered about food. I'm obsessed with it, always thinking about my next meal and want snacks. And yes I am a bit overweight. Wish I didn't care.

My dh is like this. He’s quite fussy / has strong food preferences but they are very plain and he will eat the same thing every single day without caring / getting bored. When he’s full, he stops eating, whatever it is. He’s technically underweight though it’s just his natural build and the fact that he doesn’t overindulge at all - because it really brings him very little pleasure.

I’m a bit like this. I like food but the thought of eating three times a day, every day, until I die, makes me feel very very uncomfortable and harassed!! My ideal would be a personal chef to make me delicious food. Ironically I’m good at cooking. Just cba.

I have always been very slim although I’m putting on weight in middle age. I don’t really snack at all and if i overeat one day I sort of eat less the next- it intentionally, just I don’t feel hungry.

Me. If I could take a pill instead of having a meal I'd probably do that several times a week. I find eating a bit relentless and hunger quite annoying.

@Yourebeingtooloud What's the same thing that your DH eats every day?

My Mum was like that, although there was some anxiety around eating so it was complicated. She didn’t like going to restaurants or eating at others’ homes as she was self conscious about having a very small appetite and worried about being served portions that were too much for her. Hated having to explain that yes, she had enjoyed the food even though she hadn’t eaten that much of it, and hated food being wasted. It was definitely a psychological thing. She didn’t enjoy cooking and definitely wasn’t experimental with food. She would sometimes ‘forget’ to eat or was too busy to stop and have a proper meal.

I’m glad to say that she did enjoy food more in her middle age and beyond, and came to enjoy going out for dinner. She became much more relaxed around food. Was never what you could call a foodie though.

I am the absolute opposite and think about food multiple times a day 😂

Me. I cba. I just eat a lump of bread or, today, cold pesto pasta that DS didn’t eat. I have to consciously make myself make a proper sarnie and sit down and eat it.

I eat not to be hungry and more 95% of the time.

I am, kind of? I find it quite annoying to have to eat and would happily eat about twice a week if I could. Most of the time I eat to not be hungry. I do not think about my next meal. Actually I can easily forget to feed myself if I'm on my own without DC and without a daily structure.

But I do enjoy food - certain food. For example if I'm going out to eat at a restaurant then I'll get excited and look forward to it, or if I buy something in the supermarket I'm looking forward to eating, or if I see a delicious looking recipe or cake or something, I'll want to eat it, and sometimes I'll get a craving for a McDonald's burger or something, or when you're in town and something smells nice.

I wouldn't just eat dry bread - that doesn't sound nice, I have a harder time eating if there is nothing appetising on offer, and would just skip a meal.

Me.
I'm not interested in cooking, rarely think about food (so never meal plan) and if I lived alone I'd only eat cheese, salad, roasted vegetables, crusty bread and pickled onions, with occasional jacket spuds.
I don't like cake, and my only food weakness is nice crisps.

If dh and DS2 are not home I sometimes have a curry pot noodle for dinner!

I do cook for the family but I have very little interest in food!

I definitely eat to live. I appreciate nice food but am also happy with a slice of dried bread, as long as it stops me feeling hungry. Rarely would I think about my next meal

While I love a good meal, I don't always think about food like 'foodies' do. I don't plan my vacation around where we will eat, nor do we eat out very often. Maybe 5 or 6 times a year. That includes takeout.

I quite happily eat the same oatmeal every morning, soup at lunch with yogurt and fruit, then dinner, which is varied.

Me. I'm almost definitely autistic and there is too much effort and uncertainty with food. I have to set alarms daily to remind me to eat but if DH doesn't cook for me I'll just eat crap because I panic while cooking.

I enjoy good tasting food but it's too much effort for little reward, I would rather eat a meal replacement pill if one were available.

I never look forward to meals or think much about food.

Me. And it's causing issues because my DH is the polar opposite. He absolutely prioritises food, will think about his dinner while he's having lunch. He'll plan holidays around food while I'd rather want to spend money on experiences. I am not fussed with food. I'll happily eat basic food every day and regularly skips meals. I am however not underweight!

Yes, I'm like this. The phrase my family use it some live to eat and some eat to live. I'm the latter.

I think it's just habit now as I've always had stomach issues since a teen. What was called a spastic colon then, ibs now. During a flare up it was just made sense to me to not eat at all. As if I ate anything I could be doubled over in pain. Over the years I have worked out what I can and can't eat, and I think that has led to my laid back approach to actual eating. It wasn't awfully long ago that I realised I don't get hungry like most people. I know I need to eat when I get all shaky or feel dizzy. I cook most days for DC, so I will eat a meal at supper time.

I know it's not really the most healthy way, but I think our bodies just get used to habits.

If I am stressed then food is a no go. Or if I drink any alcohol. Its either food or drink, I can't mix the two. Which is a factor in why I very rarely drink alcohol now.

I like food just fine but don’t care about eating it, if that makes sense. I don’t think/obsess about meals and what I’m going to eat other than the bare logistics of it. There are a lot of things, like biscuits or crisps, that I like well enough but never eat because I can’t be bothered. Very much eat to live in my family.

He’s had the same thing for lunch every work day since I’ve known him which is 20 years! Nothing weird just a specific sandwich - except I think it’s weird to have the exact same thing every day and not get really bored! His view is then he doesn’t have to spend time thinking about what to eat and he knows it will fill him up enough for the day.

He’s neurotypical btw just very unbothered by food except as fuel.

One of my friends - she has to schedule meals and eat an amount whether she actually wants it or not. She likes food but isn't motivated by it at all. She's also super active and slim.

Me. I just see food as fuel. I'm NT. I can't bear cooking either.

I do like eating out though, but more for the occasion than for the food - I like dressing up and people watching and going out! I also like sitting down with my family for a meal, but again, it's more the event of sitting down with them than eating the food.

My last partner was someone who really liked food, and was always planning his next meal. I am ok missing meals.

I love food but I'm sensible with it too.

So oftentimes I will want a cake or a rich meal but I won't pick it deliberately. Other times I'll pick what I want.

Me. I find food a massive chore both cooking and eating it. I get hungry but there is nothing I ever fancy! I eat, but it's as fuel

I know one person like this - she enjoys food but doesn’t think about it and can happily fast without an effort, is happy to eat the same thing regularly and has a low bar for good food.

seems like a nice simple way to live! I’m obsessed with food, always thinking about the next meal etc. needless to say, my friend is slim and I am not!