You are not alone if the prospect of dining out with others feels overwhelming. While some may find enjoyment in dining out, it can pose significant challenges for individuals in eating disorder recovery.
Restaurants serve as popular social venues and offer convenience for those who prefer not to cook. Navigating restaurants as part of a social scene becomes a crucial aspect of recovery and can even mark a significant milestone for some.
The act of eating in the presence of others is a major source of anxiety for those dealing with eating disorders, making dining out a formidable challenge. The FDA’s 2014 requirement for chain restaurants to display calorie information on menus has only heightened the difficulties faced by individuals with eating disorders in such settings.
Why Can Menus With Calories Be Challenging?
Those experiencing eating disorders often experience shame and guilt around foods and food choices. When confronted with calorie counts on menus, it can be easy for individuals to let this information sway their food decisions in an attempt to mitigate anxiety and distress by choosing what is “healthy” or “good” instead of tuning into their internal wisdom to choose satisfying, nourishing, enjoyable foods.
While dining out can be a stressful experience for those battling an eating disorder, here are some tips to help navigate restaurant dining during the recovery process:
Plan Ahead
Look up the menu before going out and pick a few items you would feel comfortable ordering. You can also discuss potential triggers or helpful motivators with someone dining with you or on your treatment team leading up to the outing. If you feel uncomfortable confiding in those dining with you, you can have a support person available by text if something arises while you are out. If the menu displays the calories/nutrition facts for the items, you can ask a support person to pick out a few items for you to choose from. While some restaurants are required to display the calories, a server may be able to get you one without this information if asked.
Bring Support
If this is your first time dining out in recovery, surround yourself with supportive friends or family members. Creating a safe environment can make your experience less stressful and prepare you for future social settings. Family friends can provide support, distraction, and a fun time, perhaps encouraging you to want to dine out again.
Show Yourself Compassion
It is normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed about dining out during eating disorder recovery. Have self-care planned for after the meal, such as watching your favorite movie/TV show, taking a warm bath, or reading a book. Remind yourself that even though this is challenging and tiring, it is part of the recovery process, and the more practice you have, the better it will feel in time.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. We offer nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support services, and other resources to help those seeking help for food concerns.
Our admissions team would happily answer any questions about our programs and services or learn about what eating disorder recovery might look like for you. Book a free discovery call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Dietetic Intern, Sheila Zarfati (she/her).
Sheila is a student at New York University pursuing a M.S. in Clinical nutrition while completing her internship hours. She is currently working with the team at BALANCE as a Dietetic Intern, assisting all staff with the daily operations of the clinical program. Sheila is passionate about serving the eating disorder community and helping others make peace with food and their bodies. Outside of being an intern, Sheila enjoys weightlifting, being with friends and family, shopping, and reading a good book on a rainy day.
