Fear of food (cibophobia)

A fear of food can show up at mealtimes, in restaurants, with certain foods or when food feels unsafe. It sometimes overlaps with fears of choking or being sick, and it can be helped.

What it feels like

• Avoiding certain foods or eating out
• Worrying food might be unsafe
• Feeling anxious as mealtimes approach

Please note: If this fear is affecting how much you eat, please speak to your GP, and you can also contact the eating disorder charity Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk).

Common questions

Is a fear of food an eating disorder?

Not always, but the two can overlap. A phobia is a fear of food itself, often because of choking, sickness or contamination worries. If you are unsure which applies to you, speak to your GP.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices