A growing number of people are reporting a sudden repulsion towards chicken, a phenomenon dubbed the 'chicken ick' on social media. This experience, where a once-loved food becomes off-putting, is not limited to poultry and can affect eggs and other dishes.
According to Lorenzo Stafford, an associate professor in psychobiological psychology at the University of Portsmouth, the 'ick' is rooted in how our brains process disgust. 'There are a number of reasons why you might suddenly become 'weird' about a food that you used to be fine with,' he wrote on The Conversation. Common triggers include subtle changes in appearance, smell, or taste, as well as alterations in preparation or texture.
Context also plays a role. 'If you were scrolling on social media looking at unappetising meals before starting to cook your own meal, this can influence the way you subsequently feel about your own food,' Dr Stafford explains. The reactions of others, such as watching someone grimace, can also trigger disgust.
To overcome the chicken ick, Dr Stafford suggests changing how the food is prepared, such as trying a new recipe or switching cuts. If handling raw chicken is the issue, buying pre-cooked options may help. 'The key is removing the triggers that caused the reaction in the first place, essentially giving your brain a reset,' he says.
If the aversion persists, positive associations can aid recovery. Pairing the food with something enjoyable, like music or a favourite side dish, or even changing the plate, can help retrain the brain. 'By repeating this a number of times, you'll condition yourself to the pleasant response – and will hopefully be over your chicken 'ick',' Dr Stafford concludes.
