Late Diagnosed Autistic Struggling with Eating Issues

For me, also late in life autism diagnosis, it comes down to two things: 1) my mental and physical energy amounts at that moment 2) the willingness to do all the steps to cook and 3) if the product I'm considering is worth the result -so say I have ice cream in the freezer. Oh wait. That's already gone. So I don't buy it that often because it'll be the first thing I'll eat. -so I have tortillas and my favorite cheese. It's quick, easy and yummy. Just throw it on the griddle pan thing (the one I leave out on top of the stove) and within two minutes I have something satisfying (I also add chicken and other stuff as I have available) Tacos: soft tacos are quick and easy. I like to dice up tomatoes once I buy them and leave them in a baggie in the fridge so when I need them they're ready. (I do the same with mushrooms, onions, olives, anything I might think is a chore to chop up later: which is everything but cabbage and squash because they don't survive in baggies well) Oh I put a few paper towels in all my baggies. When the paper towel is wet I change it. This let's the produce last way longer. I always "shop" my refrigerator. Since I often forget what I have I explore first then discover combinations that will please me at that moment. That's how I eat healthy. I don't buy the candy I want, I but the ones I don't like much, that way I only eat a little and it lasts a long time. Once in awhile, after almost starving for a couple weeks, I eat two meals in a row. (I used to eat all day once in awhile) I learned to make huge mental notes that I'm full now. Last week I ate my full of watermelon. I clearly noticed I was full and made my normal internal announcement. A few minutes later I found myself eating something else, feeling hungry again. So when I got full the second time I made sure not to look at any more food. I clearly and loudly told myself that I've been full twice in a row now and I'm simply not eating anything else I was able to settle down for the rest of the evening content that I didn't need food.

A few options that have worked for me in the past two rely on letting my subconscious take care of things. One: I make a smoothie with flavors I like (chocolate peanut butter and banana are my current favorite) and have it next to me with a straw while I'm doing other things and I will usually just drink it at some point because it's there. Two: a make up a plate of safe foods. Cheese slices, grapes, a handful of cereal, some m&ms whatever it is isn't important just a collection of things I know are ok for my brain and again keep it on hand and I will snack in it with out thinking. Also I when I'm really struggling I will mentally "try" foods. I imagine eating french fries and see how I respond, or mashed potatoes, or cheese and apples and I go through things basically one dish at a time until I find something anything it doesn't have to be a "Meal" that I can eat. And if a dish is a no because of one aspect maybe I can change that aspect to make it ok. Like maybe carrots with ranch sounds good but the texture of the carrots is a no, would cooking the carrots to change their texture help? Boiled carrots and ranch or roasted carrots and ranch are great options. Or chicken nuggets sounds good the breading is a problem. You can get premade grilled chicken strips and eat them like unbreaded nuggets. Etc. Food is fuel and there is not a wrong way to fuel yourself.