What is food neophobia in adults?: Causes, risks, and nutritional impacts

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 study involving adults, nearly 20% were classified as being at high risk for food neophobia, a persistent reluctance or fear of trying new foods. Understanding what is food neophobia in adults? is critical, as this eating behavior can significantly limit dietary variety and potentially lead to long-term nutritional deficiencies.

Quick Summary

Food neophobia is an eating disturbance in adults characterized by an intense fear or avoidance of novel foods, which can severely limit diet quality, create nutritional deficiencies, and hinder social interactions.

Key Points

Definition: Food neophobia in adults is the fear or reluctance to try new, unfamiliar foods.
Distinction from Picky Eating: It differs from general picky eating by focusing specifically on the novelty of a food, not just its taste or texture.
Causes: Influenced by a mix of genetic factors, childhood experiences, sensory sensitivities, and learned behaviors.
Nutritional Risks: A limited diet can lead to low dietary variety, reduced intake of fruits and vegetables, and potential nutrient deficiencies.
Interventions: Effective strategies include repeated, gradual exposure to new foods, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and targeted nutrition education.
Social Impact: Anxiety around eating unfamiliar foods can significantly hinder social functioning and relationships.

What is Food Neophobia in Adults? Defining a Restrictive Eating Behavior

Food neophobia is derived from Greek words meaning 'fear of the new' and is defined as the reluctance to eat or the avoidance of new foods. While often seen as a normal developmental phase in toddlers, it can persist or reappear in adulthood, becoming a significant problem. Adults with this condition experience genuine anxiety and discomfort when presented with unfamiliar foods, rather than just a casual dislike. This is a distinct behavior from simple picky eating.

The Evolutionary Roots of Food Neophobia

From an evolutionary perspective, food neophobia is thought to have served as a protective mechanism for our ancestors. By being cautious of new foods, early humans could avoid potentially toxic substances. In today's world, where most food is safely sourced and regulated, this inherited caution can become maladaptive, limiting a person's diet and potentially leading to health issues.

Psychological and Genetic Factors Behind Adult Neophobia

The causes of food neophobia in adults are complex and multifaceted, involving both genetic and environmental influences.

Genetic Predisposition: Studies have shown that genetics play a significant role, with research on twins suggesting that a large portion of the variation in food neophobia is inherited. This suggests some individuals may be biologically predisposed to cautious eating habits.
Childhood Experiences: Early interactions with food and parental feeding practices are crucial. A lack of variety during the weaning process or high parental control can contribute to neophobia later in life.
Sensory Sensitivities: Sensory processing issues, such as heightened sensitivity to textures, smells, or tastes, can significantly influence an adult's willingness to try new foods. Disgust sensitivity, in particular, is strongly linked to higher food neophobia.
Negative Memories: Traumatic experiences with food, such as choking, vomiting, or an allergic reaction, can lead to food-related anxiety and avoidance. Cognitive-behavioral models suggest that negative beliefs and memories about tasting new foods contribute to a low expected liking.

The Nutritional Consequences of a Limited Diet

The most significant impact of food neophobia on adults is its effect on dietary quality and variety. A restricted diet, limited to a small number of 'safe' foods, can lead to several health issues.

Reduced Nutrient Intake: Individuals with food neophobia often consume fewer fruits and vegetables, leading to deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Poor Diet Quality: A lack of diversity can result in an imbalanced diet, potentially with higher intake of less healthy, familiar foods. This can affect long-term metabolic health.
Risk of Malnutrition: In severe cases, the limited food intake can lead to overall malnutrition and significant health problems, though this is more common with other eating disorders like ARFID.

Food Neophobia vs. Picky Eating in Adults: A Comparison

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are key differences in the underlying behavior.


Feature	Food Neophobia (Reluctance to try new foods)	Picky Eating (Unwillingness to eat new or familiar foods)
Core Behavior	Fear or avoidance is specifically related to novelty.	Avoidance applies to both new and familiar foods.
Underlying Emotion	Anxiety and fear towards the unfamiliar are primary drivers.	Dislike of specific sensory properties (taste, texture) is the main factor.
Culinary Range	Often accepts a wide variety of foods, as long as they are familiar.	The list of acceptable foods is generally very limited.
Evolutionary Root	Based on an evolutionary 'survival' mechanism to avoid potential toxins.	Often related to sensory processing and learned aversions.

Strategies for Overcoming Food Neophobia in Adults

Reducing adult food neophobia is possible, and several interventions have proven effective.

Repeated Exposure and Tasting: Repeatedly introducing and tasting new foods, even in small amounts, can increase familiarity and decrease perceived threat. Research suggests it can take 10-15 exposures for a food to be accepted.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapeutic approach helps individuals identify and challenge the negative thoughts and beliefs associated with unfamiliar foods. It involves gradual, controlled exposure to build positive associations.
Nutrition Education: Learning about the health benefits and safety of different foods can help overcome the initial motivational barriers to trying them.
Mindful Eating Practices: Focusing on the sensory experience of familiar foods can be a first step toward expanding the palate. This helps in re-engaging with the experience of eating in a more positive way.
Social Support: Eating new foods in a positive and low-pressure social setting can help reduce anxiety. Working with a partner or family member who models adventurous eating can also be beneficial.

A Path to Broader Nutritional Horizons

For adults living with food neophobia, the condition can be a source of embarrassment and social limitation, impacting eating out or sharing meals with others. However, it is a manageable condition. By understanding its origins and utilizing proven strategies like repeated exposure and CBT, adults can gradually expand their dietary horizons. This not only improves nutritional diversity and health but also enhances social experiences related to food. A nutritionist or dietitian can provide personalized guidance and support on this journey.

For an in-depth clinical case study on the treatment of adult food neophobia, see this publication on PubMed: Cognitive-behavioral treatment of food neophobia in adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the reason for avoidance. Food neophobia is a fear of newness, while picky eating involves a dislike of both new and familiar foods based on factors like taste, texture, or appearance.

While food neophobia tends to peak in childhood and decrease during adolescence, it can persist or even re-emerge in adulthood. Unlike a temporary childhood phase, adult neophobia requires intervention to be addressed effectively.

Health consequences can include a lack of dietary variety, leading to nutritional deficiencies, reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables, and potentially impacting overall health and metabolic risk factors.

While food neophobia can be a component of some eating disorders, like Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), it can also exist independently. When severe, it can be classified as a specific phobia of new foods.

A great first step is repeated, low-pressure exposure to new foods. This can be as simple as trying a small taste of a novel food over multiple occasions to build familiarity and reduce fear.

CBT helps individuals address the underlying anxieties and irrational thoughts associated with new foods. It uses gradual exposure and desensitization techniques to reframe the psychological response to unfamiliar food items.

Yes, it can. The fear of trying new foods can cause significant anxiety in social situations involving food, such as restaurants, parties, or dinners with friends, leading to social avoidance and limited functioning.