A new episode of TLC’s My Strange Addiction is drawing widespread attention online after introducing viewers to one of the show’s most extreme cases to date.
The Season 7 premiere, which aired on Jan. 7, features Kathryn, a Virginia woman who has consumed every meal for years by blending food into a liquid form and inhaling it through her nose rather than eating it. The episode quickly went viral following its broadcast, with clips circulating across social media and sparking reactions ranging from disbelief to concern.
Kathryn explained on the show that the habit began as a college dare. While attending community college, she was challenged by friends to inhale liquid food through her nose instead of swallowing it. What started as a one-time stunt eventually developed into a long-term compulsion, with Kathryn abandoning traditional eating altogether.
According to the episode, she now blends all of her meals — including omelets, steak, pasta, vegetables, and soup — into a smooth consistency. Using a straw placed into one nostril, she inhales the mixture while leaning over the container, repeating the process until the meal is finished. Footage shows her performing the routine in her kitchen, including scenes of a beige blended meal and a garnished bowl of liquefied soup prepared for nasal consumption.
Kathryn said she prefers the method because it allows her to avoid food textures she dislikes and claims it intensifies flavor. She also told producers that the practice makes her feel full faster and helps her avoid what she perceives as choking risks associated with chewing and swallowing solid food. Despite the unconventional method, she insisted she has experienced no major health issues after years of doing it.
Medical experts featured on the program strongly disagreed. Doctors warned that inhaling food poses a serious risk of aspiration — when liquid or food particles enter the lungs instead of the digestive tract — which can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening condition. A 2021 report from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimated complication rates of roughly 15% to 25% in non-medical nasal feeding scenarios, citing increased risk of infection and respiratory damage.
In addition to physical dangers, the episode also highlighted the emotional toll of Kathryn’s addiction. She said the behavior has strained friendships and caused her to avoid social situations involving food. A central storyline revolves around her anxiety about revealing the habit to a romantic partner, fearing rejection once he learns about her eating habits.
Public reaction to the episode has been swift. Viewers took to X, TikTok, and Reddit to express shock, disgust, and concern, with many calling it one of the most disturbing segments in the show’s history. Others noted that the episode fits squarely within My Strange Addiction’s legacy of spotlighting extreme compulsive behaviors that blur the line between fascination and alarm.
The Season 7 premiere also features stories of a woman who eats raw meat daily and a bodybuilder with rigid dietary rituals, marking the show’s return after a hiatus of years.
My Strange Addiction airs Wednesdays on TLC.
