Brother and I can’t eat in public

Seems odd to me, McDonald's tastes better eaten there fresh and hot than taking home!

I'm interested in where you draw the line between public and private, fast food vs restaurant.

How would you class Nando's for example, which is a bit like a fast food joint (order at the counter) and a bit like a restaurant (waiter brings the food)? Nando's has a takeaway option, so by your rules that means you wouldn't eat in?

Also would you be able to eat in public in a non-restaurant group setting eg a party, a wedding, a picnic in the park?

I don't think it's weird, I think we're lucky to live in a country where food is so plentiful and available that we have the luxury to indulge in eccentricities like this. In many countries people only eat in a group setting and barely have enough to go round, so we're very privileged and very fortunate.

the only 'weird' thing is your preference for tkaing MaccyD's home. The fries are ONLY nice if eaten straight out the fryer and they lose heat very quickly, so eating in the restaurant is a must for me!

When I was a kid, my mum and I sometimes went to her friend's house after school and eat with them. The friend's son, about 7 or 8 at the time, couldn't bear people seeing him eat, so he had to have a screen of cereal packets around his place at the table.

I sometimes wonder if he ever grew out if it.

Well its odd but we are all different and if its not causing you any problems then no need to change. If IT does cause issues then you need to try and figure out why you do this and how you can address it

I missed out the word "difficulties" after the shortening MH. So "MH difficulties". But perhaps it was amply clear what was meant.

It's not going to be viewed as 'normal' by many I suspect but as long as you're not a twat about it (eg insulting the food or making comments about people eating it) then it's unlikely anyone's really going to care if you're eating or not.

I was a bit like this in late teens-early twenties but it was because I was so self conscious. I don't think that there was a health impact, it was just like intermittent fasting I suppose. I have struggled to maintain my weight after going back to 2 or 3 meals a day.

Eventually got over it. Unusual that both you and your brother are both the same way though?

Sounds very restrictive and unhealthy way to live! What about when you go on holiday/travel, visit friends or family elsewhere etc? Can you eat preprepared food whilst out, i.e., if you bring a packed lunch to work?

I don't like eating in a crowd of no one else is eating but I think that's from having braces for 6 years and being aware of getting food stuck in my braces.

I also can't eat at a buffet but that's more about anxiety over etiquette around taking too much food, my husband gets me a plate of food now, he's a keeper :)

I really struggle to eat on my first day at a new workplace as I'm not sure where to eat and where to sit etc but I get over that in a couple of days

Seems like our issues are different though as yours seem to be more focussed on the food and mine are more around the etiquette (even though most of the time only I care about it!)

Disagree. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a healthy, ‘yummy’ diet. My lunch today was a homemade jambalaya, about 300 cals, low carb with about 45g of protein, packed full of spices and veg and I can honestly say that it was delicious.

Nutritious doesn’t have to mean boring! Food is fuel, but you can absolutely make it taste amazing.

If you want to change, then tomorrow get food from the canteen and eat it there, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Break the cycle.

It might be worth looking for an open access counselling (iapt + your area should bring it up) to explore the root of this and see if you can overcome it?

Its great you're a normal weight but disordered eating can take so many forms.

I have a friend like this and it was because he was bullied by his father about finishing what was on his plate

Hmm have you sought help for this at all?

Yes it's odd.

Food is fuel, I'm not that arsed if my lunch is "yummy" as long as it contains what I need to make my body do its job. Seeing food as somehow decadent, naughty or something that needs to be done in secret or private speaks to an unhealthy relationship with food.

We're you shamed in some way for your eating habits as a child? The only person I know who can't eat in public suffers from binge eating disorder and has a very unhealthy relationship with food.

As a result neither of us tend to eat lunch or breakfast during the work week.

I can understand not enjoying being in a restaurant, I don't due to noise and obnoxious people, but never eating breakfast or lunch is really concerning. That isn't in any way healthy or normal.

Did your parents do similarly?
Is there neurodiversity in the family?

As a child of the 70s we were never allowed to eat in public as it was "common." We were allowed to eat in designated places like restaurants, just not on a bus or a bench or walking along. Is it a relic of that sort of upbringing?