Man who only ate chicken and chips is finally tucking into fruit and veg

A man who only ate chicken nuggets and chips for nearly 20 years has tucked into fruit and vegetables for the first time.

Ryan Howarth suffers from a rare food disorder which meant his diet was staggeringly limited from the age of four.

But the 21-year-old is now chowing down on all kinds of tasty foods after having therapy for his selective eating disorder.

Ryan Howarth suffers from a rare food disorder which meant his diet was staggeringly limited from the age of four (pictured left as a youngster and right today)

Ryan’s mother Christiane, 45, has been helping him overcome his food fears and try new things

‘I just ate the foods I wanted to,’ said Ryan.

‘When someone asked me to eat something else I reacted in the same way most people would react if I asked them to eat an exotic food, like insects.’

Ryan, from Andover in Hants, said his family were worried his diet could cause him health problems later in life.

But after undergoing some sessions with a therapist, he can eat almost anything.

‘Now I’m eating so many different things,’ he said. 

‘It’s amazing how I am enjoying foods I never expected I would like.’

Ryan, from Andover in Hants, with his mother Christiane. She says he is much more outgoing since tackling his eating habits

Ryan tucking into some new foods. He recently went out to eat with his father, which he hasn’t done in years

Ryan enjoying some broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. He has become much more adventurous with his meals

Pineapple is a favourite of Ryan’s and he recently went out to eat with his father for the first time in years.

He has also seen an improvement in his energy levels since getting on top of his eating habits a month ago.

His mother Christiane, 45, has even seen a personality change in her son.

She says he’s now more outgoing and very helpful around the house.

‘It’s amazing what is happening,’ she said. ‘My son is coming back.’