Buffets and Communal Eating
Posted: August 20, 2013
Eating out in restaurants together is a common way for friends and families to get together, celebrate occasions, or catch up. Buffets are often an appealing option when you’re trying to accommodate different food preferences.
For someone in recovery from an eating disorder, the huge volume of food at buffets can be a terrifying situation. There may be other people indulging in large quantities, whether they’re the people you’re eating with or just other diners, and there is the extra pressure of being on display as you choose your food and carry your plate back to your table.
Buffets have unique challenges for those with anorexia and those who are compulsive eaters, while some experiences may be common to both.
- People with anorexia may feel the impulse to want to eat all that food, but then in reaction to that may berate themselves and focus on restricting as much as they can. There may be a big internal struggle going on.
- Compulsive eaters also may want to eat all of the food, and may have the feeling of not wanting to miss out on any particular food. They may feel very self-conscious about other people seeing or judging how much food they put on their plate, or how many times they go back through the buffet line.