Eating is supposed to be enjoyable.
For an American woman named Kathryn Andrea, every meal comes with the risk of serious injury or even death.
Kathryn does not eat the way most people do.
She does not use her mouth at all.
Instead, she eats through her nose. 
A Habit That Turned Every Meal Dangerous
Kathryn Andrea is 31 years old.
For years, she has relied on her nostrils rather than her mouth to consume food.
This does not apply only to liquids.
Toast, steak, omelets, and other solid meals are blended into a smooth paste before she inhales them through her nose.
Afterward, she often reacts with exaggerated expressions.
She insists the food tastes better this way.
How a College Dare Changed Everything
Kathryn did not always eat this way.
The habit began while she was in college.
A friend once dared her to drink fruit juice through her nose.
She decided to try it out of curiosity.
What happened next surprised her.
When the liquid entered her nasal cavity, the flavor felt much stronger.
The sensation was intense and strangely pleasurable.
She described it as a completely new experience.
From that moment on, she began experimenting more.
Eventually, she stopped using her mouth to eat altogether.
Kathryn later explained that humans technically have two ways to take in food.
She questioned why using the mouth should be the only acceptable option.
Mastering an Ability Most People Cannot Tolerate
Most people feel extreme discomfort when water enters their nose.
Kathryn adapted quickly.
She learned how to inhale food without choking.
At most, she experienced only one or two nosebleeds early on.
She has now eaten this way for five years.
Spicy, hot, icy, and even alcoholic drinks are no problem for her.
She claims alcohol creates the same burning sensation.
It feels similar to swallowing it normally.
Over time, she grew to dislike chewing.
She described it as primitive and unsettling.
Food textures in her mouth began to disgust her.
Eating through her nose felt cleaner and more refined.
Why She Believed It Was a Better Choice
Kathryn convinced herself the habit had benefits.
She believed it protected her teeth and reduced choking risks.
She also thought it helped control calorie intake.
Blending food made overeating harder.
As a result, she lost nearly 16 kilograms.
The weight loss reinforced her belief.
However, side effects soon followed.
Her voice became noticeably nasal.
The biggest problem, though, was social.
Social Isolation and Growing Anxiety
Friends, family members, and romantic partners struggled to understand her behavior.
Kathryn strongly resisted being judged.
Whenever the topic came up, she became defensive.
People around her began avoiding the subject entirely.
Over time, several close friendships faded away.
She grew increasingly uncomfortable in public.
She began avoiding social outings.
She feared being stared at like something abnormal.
A Date That Ended in Awkward Silence
Recently, Kathryn went on a dinner date with a man named Justin.
They had already been on several dates.
This was the first time she showed him how she eats.
At the restaurant, she asked staff to blend her food.
She then inhaled iced coffee through her nose.
Justin was stunned.
Nearby diners quietly laughed.
When he learned why she did it, he warned her about the health risks.
Kathryn reacted emotionally.
She accused him of judging her.
The date ended badly.
Justin later said that if he could not even watch her eat, he saw no future together.
Online Backlash and Medical Concerns
Online reactions were harsh.
Many urged her to stop immediately.
Some warned that nasal membranes can carry bacteria directly toward the brain.
Others referenced infections such as meningitis and rare brain parasites.
Kathryn eventually consulted doctors.
She was fortunate.
No lung infection or fluid buildup was found.
However, the warnings were serious.
Doctors said continuing could cause infections in the lungs, sinuses, and the central nervous system.
They also warned of a real risk of choking and suffocation.
Trying to Break an Unusual Addiction
This time, Kathryn listened.
She promised to return to eating normally.
The process has not been easy.
She admits she feels addicted to nasal feeding.
Under stress, she sometimes relapses.
For now, she considers the habit mostly corrected.
Whether this behavior stems from psychological issues remains unclear.
Doctors recommend further evaluation.
For Kathryn, something as simple as eating became a dangerous obsession.
Hopefully, she will find a safer way forward.
