...anyone been through similar? (Eating)

[TooEarlyForWine5pmSomewhere]

Eating habits... Finally trying to find a solution to my problem (eventually accepted it) but no joy. I panic about it daily.

For background, I do love food, love spending hours preparing meals, recipes, going on trip advisor for places to eat, reading reviews on take outs/restaurants for best places go....

...But over the years have had a problem which is getting worse. I love nothing more cooking a nice Beef Bourguignon for hours, but when it come down to eating it I can't and find myself pushing it round discreet bowl (so people can't see how full) and eat few mouthfuls. Same can be said for every meal I cook. (I am an experienced cook it's not it tastes bad, clear plates all round bar mine)

But my appetite disappears whenever presented with plate of food I've done...can't eat it, even if DH has cooked, if spent time smelling it it's not that don't like it, just can't physically eat it.

Atm if we order breakfast delivery I can eat virtually half breakfast roll, or eating out I will order meal I eat the majority, say 1/2 burger and handful of chips, no starter/dessert (never had the biggest of appetites) Take aways the same do really well sometimes with what ordered, not massive, but for me massive improvement from day to day.

I'm wondering if something to do with preparing/smelling...I'm literally at a loss.

DH, yes had best interests at heart tonight, but we did slightly fall out, not his fault as obviously worried. He questioned what I had eaten today (round of toast, half pack of crisps and couple of Haribo. Lied about snacking evening dinner whilst doing dishes) but feel ashamed.

I know eating out and ordering in isn't the solution even though helping.

I'd love to enjoy food but can't, I'm currently 35 and 6.5stone and wanting to enjoy food again. I feel literally drained everyday, from the minute I wake I feel as though I could sleep another 12 hours.

Can't find the answers online and feel like a failure who wants to eat but body refuses...

Also feel like letting DH and DC down with tiredness ect.

Any advice or someone who has been through similar would be gratefully appreciated xxx

Your first step is to speak to your Dr.

When I went through a similar thing I found leaving space between prep time and eating time helpful. So for example I would prep my next day's food in tiny tupperware boxes (a few mouthfuls portion only) and then leave them in the fridge for the next day. Just a tiny little bit of what you fancy - for me it was chopped melon, salt and vinegar crisps, bit of cooked chicken etc. And then I always ate in front of the TV or while reading/working to distract myself etc. Hope your eating gets better soon.

Sorry pressed post too soon.

You need to speak to your Doctor about your eating disorder.

Making excuses about eating, lying about having ate something, blaming your body for "being unable" to eat, points to anorexia. Please go and see someone who can help you.

You need to go and see your doctor immediately as it sounds as if you have an eating disorder. Your body is malnourished which is why you have no energy. Not only is it dangerous from the point of view of your health but its a poor example to set to your children.

But I think you know all this already. You just want to talk about it.

For background, I do love food, love spending hours preparing meals, recipes, going on trip advisor for places to eat, reading reviews on take outs/restaurants for best places go

Being obsessed with food and food related activities is also a sign of anorexia.

Thank you. I know my next steps are to consult my GP, just feel a failure and wasting there time.

I love food but can't bring myself to physically eat it half the time...can quite happily go the day on half a piece of toast but put it down to work/children/homework/baths ect...then to exhausted and no appetite.

I will add the children are unaware of this, they see lots of home cooked food and try to show they are eating same as mummy, but busy myself so maybe myself being ignorant and feel awful for that.

Suppose I have been completely ignorant and not knowing still loving food ect...can also been a sign of anorexia. Problem stuck my head in the sand. Something I will have to try and resolve.

Thank you @Synecdoche I will try this method as seems something I could do....I'm one to snack maybe on biscuit or something so having things prepped in fridge would be better.

xxx

Thank you. I know my next steps are to consult my GP, just feel a failure and wasting there time

You aren't a failure and you won't be wasting their time. You have an illness you need help with that's all. Telling us about it might be your first step to recovery. Make that appointment, tell the Dr everything you said here, write it out if it helps, and ask them for help.

Good luck

Sometimes when you've spent ages cooking something, by the time you have it on your plate it's as if you've eaten it already. Not unusual. As long as you are eating something, ie not starving yourself, I wouldn't worry. Cheese, fruit, cereal, the odd sandwich are all nutritious as is tinned soup.

Would be nice if someone else cooks for you occasionally. Or cook something simpler that doesn't take ages.