Lachanophobia

The fear of vegetables is known as lachanophobia. A phobic individual may have been compelled to eat vegetables as a child, even if he or she disliked the flavor, and may have even been punished for not eating vegetables. Some may have seen vegetables growing in the garden and seen that some of the leaves had caterpillars, worms, or even insects on them, and they are afraid that if they eat veggies, they will eat one of these creepy, crawly animals. Others may be concerned that if they unintentionally ingest a vegetable seed, it may develop inside them. Many Autistics have sensory concerns with vegetables.

Lachanophobes frequently avoid areas where vegetables are present, such includes restaurants and grocery stores. It can sometimes extend to the point where they shun dishes containing vegetables, such as pizza with tomatoes. Shortness of breath, tremors, sobbing, shouting, fainting, elevated heart rate, raised body temperature, lack of control, and the need to leave are all symptoms of lachanophobia. Behavioral therapy and anti-anxiety drugs are commonly used to treat lachanophobia, although self-help should be explored first.