Overcoming Anxiety about Food and the College Cafeteria

coffee shop

Contributor: Leigh Bell, BA, writer for Eating Disorder Hope

“Buffet” can be a bad word for someone recovering from an eating disorder. So many food choices and little way to know exactly what or how much you’re getting. The college cafeteria is an everyday, sometimes all-day, buffet that can constantly challenge someone in recovery or wishing to recover from an eating disorder.

While difficult, this cafeteria scene can strengthen recovery skills and launch a lifetime of healthy eating habits. The important thing to remember is that you’re in control. You can manage a meal plan, even in college, but you may have to take an extra step or two.

Find Your Support System

First, get your support system together: a nutritionist, therapist or counselor, doctor, whomever you need. Most universities offer free or reduced services through on-campus counseling centers; and many schools have support groups and on-staff professionals with a specialty in eating disorders and body-image issues.

Have a nearby therapist or counselor on whom you can lean when things become challenging. Expect some stumbles, and don’t beat yourself up when they come. If recovery from an eating disorder was easy, everyone would recover.

A nutritionist is also important to help you develop and maintain a healthy meal plan. Discuss with him or her the specific food options your school offers and how you can make choices best for your recovery. Then put on that game face going into the dining hall, knowing you are in control, and go get ‘em.

Stocking Up on Healthy Meals

cafeteria-544871_640But you probably won’t always be eating in the college cafeteria. Prepare for this stock up on healthy snacks and meals you can keep/make in your room and some you can take on-the-go. You might invest in a mini-fridge and/or a microwave (if allowed).

This will provide options when you don’t have time for the cafeteria or you’re simply feeling overwhelmed and want something easy and safe, which is okay.

Finding a Good Roommate

Also, the eating habits of college students are closely related to their peers. For example, you know those notorious “Freshman 15,” which by the way are a myth, researchers found the weight someone gained or lost during the freshman year is strongly and negatively related to that someone’s roommate1,2 Try to surround yourself with people who have both a positive body image and healthy lifestyle.

Maintaining or achieving recovery in the college setting may have unique challenges, but you can use them to your advantage. Remember, you are in control of your recovery. You got this.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What has been your experience with college and positive body image? Have you struggled with having a positive image, what advice do you have to share?


 
About the Author:

Leigh Bell imageLeigh Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Creative Writing and French from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

She is a published author, journalist with 15 years of experience, and a recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism.

Leigh is recovered from a near-fatal, decade-long battle with anorexia and the mother of three young, rambunctious children.


 
References:

  1. Zagorsky, J., Smith, P. (2011). “The freshman 15: A critical time for obesity intervention or a media myth? Social Science Quarterly, 92(5), 1389-1407.
  2. Yakusheva, O., Kapinos, K., & Weiss, M. (2011). Peer effects and the freshman 15: Evidence from a natural experiment. Social Science Research Network Journal, 9(2), 119-132.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 8th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com