A Girl Eats Only Potatoes For 20 Years Because Of A Rare Phobia (5 photos)

Jodie Shaw said that since childhood, her diet consisted of just a few foods - cheese, bread and crisps. However, since the age of 10, her menu has been exclusively potato dishes.





Jodie Shaw, 29, from Telford, Shropshire (England), said that for two decades she ate only potatoes due to avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Since childhood, the woman's menu included only a few foods - cheese, bread and crisps. However, after turning 10, her diet narrowed to potato-only foods: French fries, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes and roast potatoes.

"I've always had issues with food, ever since I was six months old. I eat to survive," says Jodie.



Because of her restricted diet, she is deficient in vital vitamins and minerals such as folate, vitamin D and iron, which leads to chronic fatigue and poor health.

"It's draining my body, it's affecting my skin, my immune system and it's causing me to become foggy. I'm worried about it affecting my heart and my ability to have children," Jodie shared.





The Brit also noted that she has to take multivitamins to make up for the nutritional deficiencies. However, ARFID is not only affecting Jodie's health, it's also affecting her social life. She admits that she feels awkward ordering only potato dishes in restaurants.

"When I go out for dinner with friends, I choose mashed potatoes and chips. It's hard, but my friends and my partner Dan are very supportive," she said.



Jodie explains that it took 20 years to get a proper diagnosis. As a child, doctors didn't understand her condition well enough and advised her parents to leave food on her plate until she was hungry.

"My parents tried to feed me anything to keep me going," she recalls.

Today, Jodie is sharing her story openly to raise awareness about ARFID

"It's important not to give up and keep seeking help. It's hard, but your health is worth it," she added.