I’m super anxious about losing the “just eat without thinking” feeling.
Totally get what you mean. That was honestly my biggest fear too—like, would I ever just grab a sandwich and not have to do a mental checklist first? At first, yeah, I had to think about every bite, and it felt kind of exhausting. But after a couple months, it really did start to feel more automatic again. I won’t lie, it’s not *exactly* the same as before, but I don’t have that constant anxiety about biting into the wrong thing anymore.
Crusty bread was the last hurdle for me. I started with softer stuff and worked my way up—cutting sandwiches into smaller pieces helped too. I actually avoided apples for ages, but now I can eat them if I slice them thin. I still pause sometimes if something looks extra tough, but it’s way less of a big deal than those first few weeks.
It’s not instant, but your brain and mouth do adjust. I’d say give yourself some grace—there’s no rush to be “normal” right away. For me, it’s about finding a new normal that doesn’t feel like work every meal.
For me, it’s about finding a new normal that doesn’t feel like work every meal.
That really hits home. I used to stress about the grocery bill too, since all those “soft foods” and pre-cut fruits can add up fast. I started prepping stuff at home—like steaming veggies or slicing apples thin myself—to save money and make things easier to eat. Did you find any budget-friendly foods that worked for you during those first few weeks? I was surprised by how much cottage cheese and eggs I went through...
