On New Year’s Day, I cooked a big meal.
Ribs.
Black-eyed peas.
Macaroni and cheese.
Spinach.
The kind of meal that requires commitment. The kind where the kitchen smells like it’s been working overtime and you’ve been standing on your feet long enough to question your life choices.
And when I was done cooking?
I didn’t eat any of it. What I didn’t know yet was that this experience has a name: olfactory sensory overload.
Did I Cook All This Food For Nothing?
Look — the meal turned out wonderful. But the sight of it made me feel completely stuffed, like I wanted to push away from the table.
The only problem?
I hadn’t even sat down yet.
I wrapped everything up, cleaned the kitchen, and stood there wondering how it was possible to spend hours cooking a meal only to feel completely finished before ever taking a bite.
Why I Lose My Appetite After Cooking (Olfactory Sensory Overload)
This isn’t new for me. Whenever I cook a large, involved meal, I lose all interest in eating it. For years, I assumed it was just another personal quirk — or proof that I might be a little more unhinged than I realized. It’s called olfactory sensory overload. Who knew, it’s a real thing.
What Is Olfactory Overload?
I promise not to get scientific. The simple version is this: when you spend a long time surrounded by smells, including food — tasting, stirring, seasoning, and cooking — your senses can get overwhelmed. Your brain starts to register satisfaction before you ever take a bite.
Basically, your body thinks it’s already eaten.
Without consulting you.
And in my case, there’s probably a little extra flair involved. I deal with migraines and allergies, which means I also live with something called osmophobia — a sensitivity to smells. Basically, my nose is dramatic. My sense of smell can be a bit of a diva.
The smells aren’t offensive — they’re just stronger. Louder. They don’t hang around politely. They show up early, take over the room, and stay long after they’ve made their point. So after hours in the kitchen, my senses aren’t upset — they’re simply overwhelmed.
I’m Not Crazy……
Once I learned this was a real thing — something other people experience too — I felt a surprising sense of relief. I wasn’t being dramatic. I wasn’t ungrateful. And I wasn’t losing my mind.
My senses were just… done for the day.
So I packed everything up, called my nephew, and told him I had ribs, sides, and enough leftovers to fuel several days of football watching.
He was beyond thrilled.
Ice Cream Saves the Day
My evening ended with a beautiful bowl of chocolate ice cream — which, oddly enough, went down just fine. That made me very happy.
So if you’ve ever cooked a big meal, set it on the table, and suddenly wanted anything but that food — you’re not alone. Sometimes our bodies decide they’re finished before we are. And sometimes satisfaction looks like listening to your senses, sharing the meal, and letting dessert be the main event.
And honestly?
That felt like a pretty good way to start the year. 🍫🍨
dragonflies & honey
