Hey, needing some more help. I am having a really hard time eating at the moment as the thought of food makes me feel nauseous. I'm not sick, I'm just having a hard time eating.
Anyway my problem is that I'll be going to a couple of people's houses for dinner and I don't want to leave food or even worse force myself to finish my plate and bring it back up. I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't want to embarrass myself by being ill either. They are both very annoying people as they don't 'get' vegetarianism and will insist that I clear my plate because I'm too thin.

I might be able to quietly explain to one of them before we eat, but the other I can't really talk to her like that...

Any suggestions?

:hump: (just cause...)

How long have you had a hard time eating? Have you seen a doctor? Can't you cancel the dinners if you think the people are annoying anyway?

Tell them that you've been having some digestive problems lately and that you've made an appointment with a doctor to check if there's anything wrong but that you really don't want to eat much because it causes you too much discomfort. Tell them you get tummy pains or something.

But if you're thin, they'll probably think you're suffering some form of anorexia. But your lie may avoid them talking about their suspicions.

(And if you are anorexic, please go and talk to a doctor about it.)

I agree with the others. If you aren't able to eat, there is something wrong and you probably should see a doctor (either emotional or physical causes could be diagnosed, and help provided.) Your inability to eat is a bigger problem than what your friends will think if you don't eat at their houses - what about your own?

I would honestly love to skip the whole eating part of the situations, but I can't get out of it, you all know what it's like.. I will see what it is like when I go and if I can say something I will.
My 'problem' is probably down to stress, I'm the the process of changing jobs. I'm not anorexic as I do want to put on weight! I guess I do have reservations about seeing a doctor and all my problems being put down to refusing to eat animals and dairy!

Trust me your eating problems aren't because you gave up dairy and animals. In which case, most of us on the board would have the same problem.

How long have you had problems with eating? A day or two is one thing, but if it's been a while you really ought to see a doctor. If you're not getting enough nutrition, you won't be able to function.

Hey :)

I went through a long period of time where I had trouble eating because of stress. I felt as though I would vomit if I ate even the smallest amount...and eating at other peoples houses always compounded the problem because the stress intensified knowing they were "watching" me eat...and that I would have to explain my minimal appetite, and convince them I wasn't anorexic lol!

Talk to your friends, explain that it is stress and that you can only eat small amounts before being ill....and start slowly to take care of yourself...eat the most nutritous portion of the meal first...it also helped me to stick to light things..pile up your plate with salad, it is easier to digest and looks bigger on the plate (to avoid questioning).

When you are at home, or feeling comfortable build heavier foods, and larger quantities back into your diet.

If you don't eat properly for a while your stomach does shrink and it becomes harder and harder to eat without being ill.

If you want you can pm me....

Have you tried telling them exactly what you have told us? "I have been having difficulty eating a lot lately, I am stressed and have lost my appetite. Can I only have a small portion please?".

Thanks for your understanding. I will try my best to explain (without causing concern or too must interest) and I'll let you know how it goes. As for doctors... I promise I'll think about going if my weight drops, but so far I'm good.

Ta for your help & sorry for not replying for so long, things going from bad to worse, one of my animals died on the saturday morning which did not help things. I did get through both meals ok, with a little help from my mate smirnoff, and converting an omni to veggie-fingers in the process.