A Virginia woman is drawing national attention after revealing an unusual eating habit: snorting food through her nose. Kathryn, a woman in her 30s, showcased her behavior on the Season 7 premiere of TLC’s My Strange Addiction, where she demonstrated how she blends her meals and consumes them nasally.
The habit, which Kathryn says began five years ago during community college on a dare, involves liquefying entire meals — from omelets to guacamole — and inhaling them through a straw. “It started with a flavored fruit drink. I got a head rush and it tasted even fruitier than drinking it. I was hooked,” she said on the episode.
Kathryn claims snorting food helps her avoid choking and reduces her urge to overeat. She also admits to having an aversion to food textures, which led her to embrace this unconventional method.
However, the practice has caused strain in her personal life. On a date featured in the episode, Kathryn shocked her companion, Justin, by snorting iced coffee at the table. When asked if the restaurant could blend the food, she was told no — leading her to choose grits, which she believed could still be consumed through a straw.
Justin reacted with visible discomfort. “If I can’t stomach watching how Kathryn eats her food, I can’t promise a bright future for us,” he said.
Concerns about the health risks of snorting food were raised by Dr. Matthew Haden, a primary care physician who evaluated Kathryn during the episode. He warned that inhaling pureed meals can lead to choking, lung infections, nasal inflammation, and even life-threatening complications if food enters the respiratory system.
While Kathryn’s lungs appeared clear during the checkup, Dr. Haden cautioned her that continued nasal consumption could result in serious medical issues. Kathryn acknowledged the risks and stated she would try to stop snorting food.
Since the episode aired, she told The Post that she has “cut back” and is taking steps toward quitting the habit altogether. “I’m doing my best to stop entirely, but it’s taking time,” she said.
As for her relationship with Justin, Kathryn confirmed that they are no longer romantically involved. “He never got me flowers again,” she noted, though she expressed interest in reconnecting in the future.