I do. Savory foods have to be with savory foods. Unless it's something with like a gravy then that has to be separate. And mixing breakfast foods.... Like the syrup with eggs/hash browns. NEVER.

That McGriddle sandwhich. Ewww I could never.

I was like this as a child. Grew out of it, I don't know why. Not mixing your food is not the worst thing in your anxiety. I wouldnt let it bother me too much.

I don't like food touching on my plate because I like to have each flavor separate. Some can combine but not all.

I wonder what it is you think will happen if you do have sides on your plate and everything touches? That is the key to this fear. Also, when did this fear start? In childhood or as an adult? Do you remember a time when this was not an issue?

As I've grown older I've realized a good deal of my anxiety results from the fact that my preferences as a child were not respected.

Parents will often be embarrassed and tell their children they need to get over it and force the issue. Some kids stand their ground but others are compliant and just get anxious - feeling they have little control over their life.

What has helped me, as opposed to "getting over" something is to respect my own preferences. Other people do it and as adults (or teens) we're able to stand our ground.

You don't like your food touching. That's reasonable and not particularly restrictive. So you could get those little bowls and put your "sides" in those while the item that takes up a greater amount of space is on your plate. There are also plates that offer separate compartments (perhaps you've seen them in TV meals?) because people wouldn't want something with all the sides mixed in together.

If anyone asks, you can tell them you prefer the distinctive flavor of each individual item.

It's okay that you don't like your food touching. And respecting this about yourself may help you feel more in control.

I think it's important to look into why you would like to get past this anxiety. Are you afraid that it makes you stand out or seem odd? Are you worried that you're missing out on dishes or food experiences that mix different things together that you aren't able to handle? Is it just the knowledge that this is holding you back that bothers you?

I've grown up on casseroles and the like, and I'll still have a tough time when very different foods (particularly those with sauces or those that are watery or runny) touch on my plate. My boyfriend, who has no history of anxiety issues, cannot stand food touching on his plate at all. So it's definitely a common enough issue to have.

Out of curiosity, how do you feel about your fork/spoon? When it's going from one food to another, do you clean it thoroughly before hand, or does the potential mixing of flavors not bother you as much - is it more about the physical touching?

never have had that problem--but why not put the sides you want on small bread plates or bowls next to your plate?