A fussy eater who was hooked on potato WAFFLES for 30 years has finally had a proper meal - thanks to hypnosis.<br /><br />Ben Gojka, 35, munched through six waffles a day from the age of five, getting through more than 65,000 in his lifetime.<br /><br />The electrician would skip breakfast and lunch and snack on smarties and fruit pastels before wolfing down a plate of lattice-shaped potato squares for dinner.<br /><br />He would sometimes add a pork or steak medallion to add flavour but would never miss out on his favourite dish.<br /><br />Even the thought of eating any fruit or veg would make Ben feel sick and even gag.<br /><br />Ben became desperate for help when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital last year.<br /><br />He was diagnosed with ARFID — avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder – after contacting cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist David Kilmurry.<br /><br />After undergoing several hypnotherapy sessions, Ben has now been able to enjoy fruit, veg and pasta for the first time.<br /><br />Ben, who lives with partner Kath, 31, in Telford, Shrops., said: “I’d have one meal a day, which would be an evening meal. <br /><br />“I’d have six of these waffles and a steak and pork medallion. It was just one meal a day. <br /><br />“I’d get the Aldi ones and I’d probably pick up four packs, so 36 waffles, and that would be five packs a week.<br /><br />“I wouldn’t eat anything through the day, I’d probably just drink Lucozade at work or Ribena. <br /><br />“Maybe I’d have a pack of fruit pastels or smarties in the evening before I go to bed.”<br /><br />Ben says his food-obsession began when he was around four or five years of age.<br /><br />He added: “I’ve been bad with food ever since I could remember. <br /><br />“My mum said I used to eat everything and anything and then at one point I just stopped. I was about two, I can’t even remember. <br /><br />“I would have a cheeseburger then, but that was it. <br /><br />“I’ve been bad with food ever since I could remember. <br /><br />“My mum said I used to eat everything and anything and then at one point I just stopped. I was about two, I can’t even remember. <br /><br />“I would have a cheeseburger then, but that was it. <br /><br />“It was more a phobia of eating other foods. If someone said try a bit of apple for £1,000 I would say no chance. <br /><br />“I wouldn’t even consider trying something, I would start to feel physically ill. <br /><br />“It's not actually a well-known phobia, most people think it’s fussy eating. It’s actually ARFID.”<br /><br />Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a condition where an individual purposely avoids certain foods.<br /><br />Ben sought treatment for his condition in November from eating expert David Kilmurry and has gone on to eat a range of foods since. <br /><br />He now eats bran flakes for breakfast and isn’t afraid of trying new foods, but still sticks to his usual supper. <br /><br />Ben said: “I didn’t know what to expect from hypnotherapy but David put me under and brought me back up and brought in a plate with food on. <br /><br />“There were bran flakes, bits of apple and dried sultanas. I actually tried them on the first session. I said ‘how is that even possible?’<br /><br />“I’ve tried salads, red onions, all different kinds of fruit. Apple, blueberries, apple, strawberries, raspberries. <br /><br />“All the main healthy foods at such. I tried a brussels sprout, raw. <br /><br />“I do feel a lot healthier in myself and happier.”<br /><br />David, who runs clinics in Coventry and in London’s Harley Street, said: “Ben came in with his partner Kath after being hospitalised by his ARFID.<br /><br />“I was shocked at the fact his safe food was waffles but after hypnosis Ben ploughed through two plates of new foods including spaghetti fresh fruit salads and cereals.<br /><br />“It was an honour to meet and work with Ben and I wish him the very best health in future as a free eater.<br /><br />“I hear Ben now loves meals out and spicy sandwiches. I’m very pleased it’s worked out for him.”
