I probably would have been diagnosed ARFID as a kid if it was a thing back then. But switching to a plant based diet ten years ago actually made me try MORE foods. Before that, it was tea and toast for breakfast, jacket potato or chips for lunch and crisps and chocolate for dinner. Maybe once or twice I week I might boil a bit of sweetcorn or carrot to go with my lunch. So yeah, very poor diet.

Even my mum, who was quite against my diet change at first, had to admit that it was the best thing for me. You tend to become more aware of what you’re eating in terms of nutrition.

Also a lot of my physical and mental health problems eased up. I used to find it very difficult to eat breakfast if I had to wake up early, I’d feel sick and struggle to swallow food, I don’t know why exactly, but after I switched, I can eat at 5 in the morning, no problem.

I’m not vegan (I eat a fish finger or two now and then, maybe 3 or 4 times a month), but yeah definitely I feel better in both mind and body since cutting out dairy and eggs (I know for a fact eggs were triggering my anxiety and low mood, dairy was the physical).

Here in the UK, it’s much easier to follow a plant based diet in recent years. On the negative side, there’s a lot more vegan junk food and highly processed meat alternatives available now.

The key to enjoying a plant based diet is to appreciate plant foods for what they are. Don’t think that you need to replace your meat with a fake meat. It’s more costly too.

Sorry for the essay. Good luck!