Five Completely Bizarre Food Fears You Don't Want to Have

It's a well-known fact that we all need to eat and most people enjoy the interplay of tastes and smells that go along with nourishment of the body. But this isn't universally true. There's a small subset of the population who have irrational fears about one or more aspects of eating. Some of these food phobias could be classified as right down weird. Here are some of the strangest food fears that some people have and their official names, Be prepared! These terms are a mouthful.

1. Cibophobia: Fear of Food

   Yes, some people have the very unfortunate affliction of being afraid of food. Period. When in the presence of food, people afflicted with cibophobia may break into a cold sweat and exhibit all of the symptoms of a panic attack. Another term used to describe this same food fear is sitophobia. They're both great terms to toss around at a dinner party as long as you don't happen to be afflicted with this debilitating food fear.

2. Lachanophobia: Fear of Vegetables

   This one is a bit more understandable and easier to deal with. At least the person inflicted with lachanophobia still has other food options. Is this fear really irrational? With the recent outbreaks of Salmonella traced to vegetables, this food fear doesn't seem quite so strange, now does it?

3. Toxophobia: Fear of Being Accidentally Poisoned

   The person with toxophobia may be a bit paranoid but at least he probably still manages to choke down some food after he's inspected it for possible tampering. You won't see many Toxophobics at your local chain restaurants or any restaurants for that matter.

4. Consecotaleophobia: Fear of Chopsticks

   Another term that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. You probably won't see a person suffering from this strange disorder dining at your local Chinese buffet since the sight of someone using chopsticks could send them into a tailspin. How does one develop such an irrational food fear? One Asian male reportedly developed this fear after his father repeatedly spanked him with chopsticks as a child.

5. Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of Peanut Butter Sticking to the Roof of One's Mouth

   They don't get much stranger than this one. People who suffer from this condition report that when peanut butter touches the roof of their mouth, they have the sensation of being unable to breathe and feel as if they're going to pass out. This appears to be more pronounced when they eat the crunchy variety. Why do they eat it at all? Despite their fear, sufferers say they still love the delicious taste of peanut butter spooned fresh out of the jar.