Imagine walking into a grocery store and seeing rows of vibrant produce, racks of fresh bread, and cases of marbled steaks, and feeling... nothing. Or worse, feeling genuine fear. For most of us, variety is the spice of life. For Austin Davis mac and cheese is the only thing that feels safe.
Austin isn't just a "picky eater." He isn't a child going through a phase. He is a man from Keystone Heights, Florida, who became a viral sensation after a VICE documentary revealed he has eaten almost nothing but boxed macaroni and cheese for roughly 17 years.
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It sounds like a joke or a college dare gone wrong. It isn't. Honestly, it’s a window into a misunderstood medical condition that turns the simple act of sitting at a dinner table into a high-stakes psychological battle.
What is ARFID? The Science Behind the Macaroni
Most people assume Austin is just stubborn. You’ve probably heard someone say, "If he were my kid, I’d just let him go hungry until he ate his broccoli." But that’s not how Selective Eating Disorder works.
Doctors have officially diagnosed Austin with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This isn't your garden-variety pickiness. It is an anxiety disorder.
With ARFID, the brain processes certain sensory characteristics—texture, smell, or even the "color" of food—as a physical threat. Think about how you’d feel if someone tried to force-feed you a bowl of slimy, raw worms. That visceral "fight or flight" response you’re feeling? That is what Austin feels when he looks at a piece of chicken or a salad.
The Yellow Food Safety Net
For Austin, the color yellow is a recurring theme. There’s something about the consistency of a specific brand—usually Velveeta Shells & Cheese—that provides a sense of security.
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- It’s predictable.
- It’s consistent.
- It never changes.
In a world that can be chaotic, a box of $2 pasta is the one thing that never lets him down. He’s also known to dabble in Kraft Deluxe or Annie’s, but Velveeta is the gold standard in his kitchen.
The Physical Toll of 17 Years of Cheese
You can’t survive on processed cheese and refined carbs without consequences, right?
Surprisingly, a few years ago, Austin went for a physical, and the results were shocking. His doctor told him that, for a 20-year-old, he was doing okay. His blood work wasn't the disaster people expected.
However, "okay for now" isn't "okay forever."
The doctor was blunt: "When you're older, it's going to be a problem." Basically, the lack of fiber, diverse vitamins, and lean proteins is a ticking time bomb for his cardiovascular health and bone density. Austin knows this. He isn’t proud of it. He’s actually quite open about the fact that he wishes he could just be "normal."
Breaking the Narrative: It’s Not About the Taste
One of the biggest misconceptions about Austin Davis mac and cheese is that he loves the flavor so much he can't get enough.
The truth is much darker. He has described the experience of eating other foods as physically painful or nauseating. It’s a sensory overload.
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He lives with his grandparents, Richard and Fay, who have supported him through this. Imagine the stress of family dinners where the menu is predetermined for nearly two decades. It isn't just a lifestyle choice; it’s a cage.
Therapy and the Path Forward
Austin didn't want to be the "mac and cheese guy" forever. He eventually sought help from a therapist named Ashley.
The goal of ARFID therapy isn't usually to make someone a "foodie" overnight. It’s about achieving "food neutrality." This is a state where a person can look at a new food without their heart rate spiking to 120 beats per minute.
Progress is slow. It involves tiny, incremental steps—maybe just smelling a new food one day, then touching it the next. It’s essentially exposure therapy for the taste buds.
Why This Matters in 2026
In a world increasingly obsessed with "clean eating" and "superfoods," Austin’s story is a reminder that mental health and nutrition are inextricably linked. We often judge people for what’s on their plate without knowing the trauma or the neurological wiring behind it.
Austin’s bravery in sharing his story has actually helped thousands of other people realize they aren't "weird"—they might just have ARFID.
How to Support Someone with Selective Eating
If you know someone who struggles like Austin, "tough love" usually backfires. Instead, consider these steps:
- Acknowledge the Anxiety: Realize that for them, food is a source of fear, not pleasure.
- Don't Comment on the Plate: Pointing out what someone isn't eating only increases the "table tension."
- Encourage Professional Help: ARFID requires specialized therapy, often involving both a nutritionist and a psychologist.
- Focus on the Goal: The goal is health and comfort, not social conformity.
Austin Davis is still on his journey. He’s taking those stepping stones toward being his "best me," one bowl at a time. It’s a reminder that everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about—even if that battle happens to involve a box of Velveeta.
If you suspect you or a loved one might be dealing with ARFID, reaching out to organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is a solid first move. Awareness is the first step toward expanding the menu of life.