Suddenly Hate What’s on Your Plate? You May Have a Food ‘Ick,’ Say Experts

Dr. Casey Tallent is featured in this Well+Good article about "food icks," and shares how it could actually be a sign someone is struggling with an eating disorder. In the piece, Dr. Tallent notes, "Many individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating have a limited list of ‘safe foods’ they are comfortable eating. As we see eating disorders progress, we see the list of safe foods becomes smaller and smaller, leading to the person feeling a period of distress and feeling out of control.”

Published: May 03, 2025

If you’re suddenly grossed out by what’s on your plate, here’s what could be happening.

It’s another night of scrolling TikTok in bed and you come across an oh-so-relatable video: Someone is digging into a delicious sandwich that suddenly becomes off-putting to them—or lamenting about how even veggies can become a turn-off in an instant. This type of commentary has been on the rise on social media as of late, with videos on the topic racking up millions of views.

Food disgust sensitivity increases with age—and is typically higher in women—per an August 2018 study in the journal Appetite. But there’s often more to the story, from how you feel to how your past experiences have shaped your current eating habits. Here’s what to know about food “icks” and why they may be striking mid-meal.

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