Fear of Vegetables: Do You Suffer From It?
Vicki Larrieux, a 22-year-old student, claims she is unable to keep to a healthy diet because she is frightened of vegetables. Now I know what you're thinking "Isn't that most of the Western world?" Incredibly enough, Larrieux suffers from a "legitimate" condition called lachanophobia - a fear of vegetables.
The mere sight of lettuce or peas leaves Larrieux sweating and panic-stricken. As a result, she lives on a diet of meat, potatoes, cereals and the occasional apple - but will go into revolt if there a single carrot on her plate.
"Every time I would see vegetables not just on my plate, but anywhere I would get feelings of panic, start sweating and my heart rate would shoot up. People might think it is a bit of a laughable affliction but I have a genuine fear of greens it's not just that I dislike the taste of sprouts or broccoli, but the actual sight of them fills me with dread and I could never touch them."
The conditions is said to be quite rare and treatment consists of psychological "re-programming" to control the anxious response to seeing vegetables.
"I am learning to control my fear but it isn't easy it is a hard thing to have to bring up when I meet new people and I'm sure some people must think I'm taking the mickey.
Larrieux's phobia makes it difficult for her to go near grocery stores or restaurants but her boyfriend Joseph (run, Joseph - run far away) is understanding. Seriously though, I'm trying to picture Joseph asking Vicki out on a first date.
Joseph: So, um, Vicki... do you fancy dinner on Saturday?
Vicki: Ooohh, um... sounds great Joseph, except I'm, um.. afraid of veg.
Joseph: You mean, you... don't like vegetables?
Vicki: No, I'm actually deathly afraid of them - I break out in a sweat and start twitching uncontrollably followed by yelling like a lunatic if I see even one crown of broccoli.
Joseph: Oh, Jolly good then... movie it is!
A spokesman for phobia charity Anxiety UK said: "Around 13 per cent of Brits suffer a phobia of some form."
Surprisingly, the lachanophobia society has not returned my email queries.
Just for fun, here are 5 more unusual phobias you may or may not be aware of:
- Pentheraphobia - Fear of mother-in-law
- Consecotaleophobia - Fear of chopsticks
- Paraskavedekatriaphobia - Fear of Friday the 13th
- Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
- Peladophobia- Fear of bald people
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I think the best way to deal veggies is head on.
I am African American with Southern roots, and in our culture the practice we grew up with is do anything and everything you can to disguise the flavor of veggies. This usually means cooking them with a big hunk of pork in the pot to flavor them. But my mom also used things like olive oil, onions, and garlic.
I figure whats the point. Do you want your calories in your veggies or when you decide to treat yourself to a hamburger or something? Vegtables are Vegtables. So I eat them straight steamed with nothing on them. Good for you and helps keep you full.
Now eggs I have a fear of. What's that phobia called?
ReplyFACEPALM
ReplyI can understand being afraid of snakes and spiders, among other things. But vegetables don't bite.
ReplySome people remain infantile their whole lives. That sounds like the person in the article. Why should we indulge this adult infant?
ReplyCertain foods exist that I would never eat...bleu cheeses, durian, raw octopus, etc. But I can survive withou eating them...you really can't have a healthy diet with no veggies.
ReplyWhat's wrong with veined cheeses? They're filled with helpful bacteria.
ReplyNothing wrong with blue cheese... if you like it. Me, I've never managed to acquire a taste for it.
ReplyI would imagine there are lots of ways to get vegetables in your food without seeing them -- I love zucchini bread. What about chopping them finely and putting them in pasta sauce (the tomato is a fruit, so I assume pasta sauce is okay for her)? How about mashed cauliflower or parsnips mixed in with mashed potatoes? I'm also curious as to whether she has the same fear if she sees vegetables on tv or in a picture ...
ReplyI don't see how mocking the mentally ill (re "run joseph" and the entire imagined conversation) achieves anything but displaying a lack of understanding and sensitivity to the world. If this is a legitimate and diagnosed psychological condition then this woman deserves our sympathy. Whatever the root cause of her problem she is obviously unable to control her response.
ReplyBullshit. It's just infantile behavior, and she should stop being so narcissistic.
Replywho need veggies when there is steel cut oatmeal!
ReplyOh, so you are a qualified pyschiatrist able to make that determination then?
ReplyCrap, I never heard of this!!!! Fear is in all of us & the key is to figure out how to get past our own individual fears....
ReplyThat was funny and crazy too! :)
ReplyHatred of vegetables I've heard of, though I cannot relate - I love my veggies - but fear? That's a new one to me.
I don't understand phobias, but I guess they're real. My mom has a phobia of being in a public place without being near an exit. It's making my wedding planning somewhat difficult....
Reply