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Is eating out alone an eating disorder antidote? Originally published in the March/April 1999 issue of SoloDining.com. Eating disorders checked, perhaps even cured by dining out solo? Casting director Joey Paul reports on her experiences: “I have never felt uncomfortable about dining alone. I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed it, even during six or seven years of my young adult life when I had periodic food problems. That’s sort of oddball, I guess. When you’re bulimic/anorexic, you’re tremendously vulnerable. I think most people in that situation would never go into a restaurant by themselves; they’re people who don’t eat in front of others. But, in a way, dining out by myself was actually part of my personal therapy — being assertive about my healing process. My problems were most acute when I was in business with a woman who was as driven as I was. She was also raised in theater and television where keeping very, very slender was part of the culture. We were working ridiculous hours. So my tendency, like most busy people, was to grab something during the day — I did not eat well. And then at midnight, the end of my day, I’d be starving; I’d completely overindulge. When I decided to try to control my eating, I began to get better. I ate out alone at least once a day and I made it fun. I did it in this spirit: ‘I’m going to take 45 minutes tonight/this afternoon, etc. and be in a wonderful environment, surrounded by interesting people and treat myself to a meal.’ By feeding myself on a regular basis, my body became conditioned to that regimen and less controlled by compulsions to eat. And dining out was also important for me. By going to a restaurant, I was having someone plan my meal for me; I didn’t have to worry about grocery stores or food preparation. All I had to do was to enjoy and avoid ordering the most fattening thing on the menu!” Return to Top Sooner or later, EVERYONE — business and pleasure travelers, singles, those divorced or widowed, very-marrieds whose spouses are on the road, harried moms and dads, etc. — faces the challenge of eating out alone! THE How-to Booklet of Solo Dining Tips & Strategies: The Art and Satisfaction of Dining Alone — REVEALED! is now available for purchase in PDF format! Planning a trip? Visit our sister website. Click here: SoloTravelPortal.com If you have questions or comments about this Web page or site, e-mail: webmaster@SoloDining.com. © 2008 SoloDining.com Return to Top