Ive never eaten fruit, veggies or meat I survive off two loaves of bread a day

A man with a rare condition has “never” eaten fruit, vegetables or meat – and survives on two loaves of bread a day.Thomas Sheridan, 35, says the thought of biting into an egg and sausage sandwich leaves him feeling “horrible” and would make him “throw up”. After decades years battling his food aversions and being dismissed as a “picky eater”, Thomas was finally diagnosed with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in 2023 at the age of 33. The condition leaves him unable to eat foods and he doesn’t have any understanding of most textures or tastes – as he feels physically sick at the thought of taking a bit of fruit or vegetable. Thomas survives on a diet of white toast with butter, three bowls of Shreddies and Haribo sweets – and takes protein supplements to get the vitamins he needs – but longs to be able to enjoy a bowl of stew.Thomas has been prescribed antidepressants but this hasn’t helped and he has “become accustomed” to his condition.He is fundraising the $8K needed to pay for private hypnotherapy which he hopes will help him achieve his “dream” of sitting down for a shared meal with his family.Thomas, who is currently unable to work due to his health, from Liverpool, said: “It’s torture.“I’m not living at the moment, I’m only surviving.“I want to live a normal life and be able to go to work and not feel like a freak.“It’s closed so many doors for me.”Thomas’ aversion to certain foods first became evident when he was a toddler.Born weighing 9lbs, his parents say there were no signs of unusual feeding habits until he was 18 months old and “one day I just shut my mouth”. Thomas was told he was taken to the doctors – with one suggesting his parents, Tom, 65, and Sheila, 59, “just starve him” to the point he’d eat. His dad also tried to “bribe” him with gifts but to no avail.Thomas said he can’t even try most foods as his mouth “just closes over” and previous attempts...