[ahdm]

I wasn't sure whether to post this here or on the ED forum.

I've got a trip coming up for Biology soon, and we were given a slip of paper today asking us to choose the pizza we want and the pudding.

I am now super anxious about this. It's happened lots of times before - in France, in London, in Wales etc. I've got this voice in the back of my head saying that all of the foods are bad for me, but also that people will hate me if I choose fatty foods and will think I'm greedy and fat and a pig. It's becoming a real problem, and I hate it, because I can't make the most of any of my trips, because I'm always preoccupied with food.

Another thing that's similar that I've noticed is that I feel really uncomfortable going food shopping. Even if it's just to buy a sandwich from a corner shop, I feel really self-conscious about it and get panicky about what people think when I pay for it.

Has anyone got any advice or knows what I could do? I want to have the food I want on this trip, and I don't want to choose a horrible type of pizza just because I'm scared about what people think of me. For exmaple, I asked for a vegetarian pizza when I went to London because I didn't want to get the meat feast or pepperoni because I didn't want people to think I was greedy and fat. That pizza was horrible. Really disgusting. And I don't want to do that this time.

I'm so sorry. My son has a similar problem. He gets rather panicked when given a menu. I think it's having to make a decision that he finds difficult. We find that it's a lot easier to swallow (pun intended) if we tell him he would probably like two or three things and then, if he can't make a decision from them, we will suggest that he probably would like X.
So his problem isn't the same as yours, but maybe you could ask a couple of people what they fancy and tell them that that sounds delicious, you'll have the same thing.
Maybe it will take the pressure of making a decision off you.

sophiesmom brings up a great option. Follow some of your friend's examples. Pipe up and say "Hey! I'm ordering that too!" or if you're in a restaurant you can even ask the waiter what he recommends.

On the other hand though, food is my top priority most of the time (life is too short for me to not eat what I want haha) and I order whatever I want no matter how greasy or healthy. Generally though what ends up happening is people (rather than thinking I'm a pig) will be jealousy that I'm not afraid to go after food that I want. Lots of people are constantly talking about dieting but I'd rather eat what I love then hate the food I eat. But you should also take into consideration that most people will be too concerned with their own hunger than minding what you plan on eating and if it's healthy or not.

Although at the same time I know one of my friends is very embarrassed as well about her food intake (she had an eating disorder but has recovered ) and so sometimes she'll buy one of something and then realize she's still hungry but she's too scared what other people will think so I go and buy her another and she pays me back later.

Another thing to do is just listen while other people are ordering and pick someone to follow. Switch it up or just follow the majority and that works too.

Also, if someone judges you on the food you order then you really don't want to be friends with them anyways :/ I would never criticize someone's food choice. I usually applaud if it's something I like too (generally if they order something with bacon) but otherwise it's a personal choice like most things.

Best of luck! Food is the spice of life so I hope you have a fabulous time

If you need anymore ideas let me know!

[ahdm]

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

I'm so sorry. My son has a similar problem. He gets rather panicked when given a menu. I think it's having to make a decision that he finds difficult. We find that it's a lot easier to swallow (pun intended) if we tell him he would probably like two or three things and then, if he can't make a decision from them, we will suggest that he probably would like X.
So his problem isn't the same as yours, but maybe you could ask a couple of people what they fancy and tell them that that sounds delicious, you'll have the same thing.
Maybe it will take the pressure of making a decision off you.

I'm sorry your son has to deal with that, and that you do too.

Haha, great pun

I think the main problem is just the anxiety about what people will think of me based on what food I eat/order, even if everybody else is eating the same thing. I guess it sounds a bit odd..

Nevertheless, I will definitely try your suggestion and let you know how it goes, thank you

[ahdm]

Originally Posted by keeprolling

sophiesmom brings up a great option. Follow some of your friend's examples. Pipe up and say "Hey! I'm ordering that too!" or if you're in a restaurant you can even ask the waiter what he recommends.

On the other hand though, food is my top priority most of the time (life is too short for me to not eat what I want haha) and I order whatever I want no matter how greasy or healthy. Generally though what ends up happening is people (rather than thinking I'm a pig) will be jealousy that I'm not afraid to go after food that I want. Lots of people are constantly talking about dieting but I'd rather eat what I love then hate the food I eat. But you should also take into consideration that most people will be too concerned with their own hunger than minding what you plan on eating and if it's healthy or not.

Although at the same time I know one of my friends is very embarrassed as well about her food intake (she had an eating disorder but has recovered ) and so sometimes she'll buy one of something and then realize she's still hungry but she's too scared what other people will think so I go and buy her another and she pays me back later.

Another thing to do is just listen while other people are ordering and pick someone to follow. Switch it up or just follow the majority and that works too.

Also, if someone judges you on the food you order then you really don't want to be friends with them anyways :/ I would never criticize someone's food choice. I usually applaud if it's something I like too (generally if they order something with bacon) but otherwise it's a personal choice like most things.

Best of luck! Food is the spice of life so I hope you have a fabulous time

If you need anymore ideas let me know!

Aww, haha! Ah well, you only live once, as they say Good for you!
I guess I know, really, that people don't care about what I eat or dress or what colour my hair is or whether I wear it up or down, but in my head that doesn't seem to make sense when I'm in that situation.

Normally what happens is that people will look over at me or our table and they'll either make a face or stare or start talking, and I will automatically think that they are talking/making a comment about me. I'm a 'healthy weight' but it still really bothers me.

Your friend sounds exactly like me!!! Phew, at least I know I'm not alone with that

Hahaha to be honest, I have to agree with you - bacon is amazing! For some reason, that was hard to type...

Thank you very much for your help in this. I appreciate it a lot

Did someone say BACON!!!!!

(insert drool)

Originally Posted by ahdm

Aww, haha! Ah well, you only live once, as they say Good for you!
I guess I know, really, that people don't care about what I eat or dress or what colour my hair is or whether I wear it up or down, but in my head that doesn't seem to make sense when I'm in that situation.

Normally what happens is that people will look over at me or our table and they'll either make a face or stare or start talking, and I will automatically think that they are talking/making a comment about me. I'm a 'healthy weight' but it still really bothers me.

Your friend sounds exactly like me!!! Phew, at least I know I'm not alone with that

Hahaha to be honest, I have to agree with you - bacon is amazing! For some reason, that was hard to type...

Thank you very much for your help in this. I appreciate it a lot

Ahhh. Yes it's ridiculous how your mind can turn into your worst enemy. Seriously, we all have enough to worry about without being paranoid about what other people think. But yeah. My mind used to be like that but I think it gave up for now haha.

You are most definitely not alone in how you feel so don't feel bad about it. You're just sensitive to the issue. Just work on it little by little and then you'll eventually be able to stuff your face in public like I do lol (actually maybe you don't want to get to that point haha it's kind of terrifying how I eat burgers but that's because I have bad manners when it comes to grease food haha).

You can do it!

[ahdm]

Originally Posted by keeprolling

Ahhh. Yes it's ridiculous how your mind can turn into your worst enemy. Seriously, we all have enough to worry about without being paranoid about what other people think. But yeah. My mind used to be like that but I think it gave up for now haha.

You are most definitely not alone in how you feel so don't feel bad about it. You're just sensitive to the issue. Just work on it little by little and then you'll eventually be able to stuff your face in public like I do lol (actually maybe you don't want to get to that point haha it's kind of terrifying how I eat burgers but that's because I have bad manners when it comes to grease food haha).

You can do it!

Hahaha! You make me laugh so much

I'm sure you look absolutely fine when you eat burgers or anything else

Thank you for your support