I eat like a toddler.

I have sensory processing disorder myself and I used have a very, very limited diet.
I started sort of force feeding myself things that I struggled to eat and after a couple of times, the sensory reaction to them became less bad. I can now eat most things without too much trouble. Still can't eat liquids with bits (yoghurt with bits, chunky porridge etc.) and broccoli without twitching and gagging like crazy from the sensory response, though. Don't think I ever will be able to.

Take it really slowly, one food at a time and eat them at least 10 times, even though you are really struggling.

Speak to a doctor/nutritionist or someone who specializes in the sensory problem that you have. As good as those said food items are you do need more items in your diet. Maybe try smoothies I saw someone comment on that or vegetable juices/fruit juices. If not this then maybe take supplements.

my fourteen year old has sensory integration disorder as well he is soooo fussy I swear he is going to turn into an egg he eats eggs bread and cheese. he does not like veggies if he eats them they have to be raw. He is so skinny not because he doesn't eat he has an incredible metabolism he burns it immediately. I understand your plight. However I feel it is necessary to encourage you to venture past your comfort zone and take no pun intended baby steps to be more adventerous in your food samplings. You say you eat like a toddler. Toddlers are adventerous they want to get their hands on anything and everything they can and put it in their mouth. Start small try making your own nuggets fries or fish sticks there are recipes out there that are easy and very delicious.

I posted first and have just gone through and read the replies. I think some sound harsh and mine might fall into that category but sensory issues are a choice when you become a teen or adult. Teens and adults (unlike babies, toddlers and youngsters) are able to cognitively know that the sensory issue is just that, an "issue" and 'can' overcome it with hard work. The sensory difficulty itself may never go away entirely but as the adult that you are, you simply have to rise to the occasion and "do it" which is really what people were saying in the harsher postings. Giving in to your sensory issues and eating "like a toddler" as you put it, is bottom line, pandering to your difficulties. What you need to do is get tough with yourself and push though it. My twins were born 3 months premature and oral-tactile sensory difficulties are very common to these kids. We got great help VERY early on in their lives, practically from birth and although they both still have the issues, they are able to push through them and both at 18 years old are actually pretty adventurous eaters. It took a long time to get to that stage but we as parents really pushed them with therapy AND with their food choices to help them overcome and deal with the problems their sensory issues cause.

Try some V8 and bananas. Get some of those Green Giant frozen veggie boxes or bags that have sauces, like the broccoli with cheese or creamed spinach, and force yourself to eat a few of them to see if you get a taste for them. It took me a while to start liking veggies.

You gotta find some way to eat them though.

I posted first and have just gone through and read the replies. I think some sound harsh and mine might fall into that category but sensory issues are a choice when you become a teen or adult. Teens and adults (unlike babies, toddlers and youngsters) are able to cognitively know that the sensory issue is just that, an "issue" and 'can' overcome it with hard work. The sensory difficulty itself may never go away entirely but as the adult that you are, you simply have to rise to the occasion and "do it" which is really what people were saying in the harsher postings. Giving in to your sensory issues and eating "like a toddler" as you put it, is bottom line, pandering to your difficulties. What you need to do is get tough with yourself and push though it. My twins were born 3 months premature and oral-tactile sensory difficulties are very common to these kids. We got great help VERY early on in their lives, practically from birth and although they both still have the issues, they are able to push through them and both at 18 years old are actually pretty adventurous eaters. It took a long time to get to that stage but we as parents really pushed them with therapy AND with their food choices to help them overcome and deal with the problems their sensory issues cause.

Repeated exposure is definitely a valuable tool for broadening one's diet but there are a lot of different foods that fulfill micronutrient needs so I'm not sure I see the value in going there over and over again with any one thng unless it's necessary. It is so easy to sink veggies into foods, smoothies and juices that I don't understand the point of adults suffering through things especially since OP mentioned texture. It's so easy to alter the vegetable that I think it's the best place to start barring known quality of life or health issues.

If you eat like a toddler, most of your food winds up on the floor, your clothes, and even the people around you - so calorie control won't be an issue.

I posted first and have just gone through and read the replies. I think some sound harsh and mine might fall into that category but sensory issues are a choice when you become a teen or adult. Teens and adults (unlike babies, toddlers and youngsters) are able to cognitively know that the sensory issue is just that, an "issue" and 'can' overcome it with hard work. The sensory difficulty itself may never go away entirely but as the adult that you are, you simply have to rise to the occasion and "do it" which is really what people were saying in the harsher postings. Giving in to your sensory issues and eating "like a toddler" as you put it, is bottom line, pandering to your difficulties. What you need to do is get tough with yourself and push though it. My twins were born 3 months premature and oral-tactile sensory difficulties are very common to these kids. We got great help VERY early on in their lives, practically from birth and although they both still have the issues, they are able to push through them and both at 18 years old are actually pretty adventurous eaters. It took a long time to get to that stage but we as parents really pushed them with therapy AND with their food choices to help them overcome and deal with the problems their sensory issues cause.

I am a grown adult who cannot stand chunky and mushy foods in the same bite (fruit pies, oatmeal, etc). I also don't like my foods to touch on the plate, I must have my food plated a certain way before I begin eating (I will move the food around if it isn't, I just don't complain about it), and I'm not a fan of entire meals that fall within the same color shades (for example, corn, au gratin potatoes and chicken breast...not all together!) And just the thought of red ketchup on yellow eggs makes me gag.

My family has accepted it and I am not interested in "getting over" these habits any time soon. If it's not affecting one's health or nutrition, it really isn't important to fix. However, the OP's limited food choices are indicative of an issue that goes beyond the simple "just do it" way of thinking. I totally understand the OP's quirks.

I couldn't eat broccoli, the texture made me gag. I wanted to eat it though as it is so good for us. I found something called sweet stem broccoli in my local supermarket (I am in the UK) I tried it and yippee I can manage that, It also taught me, if I cut regular broccoli into very small florets I can manage them. It is just the scratchy feeling on the broccoli head that made me gag.

Try smoothies, or cut veggies into small pieces and steam them until they are soft (boiling depletes all the vitamins) so you don't have the automatic gag reflex, it may just work.