Singer and actress Demi Lovato is delving into the world of cooking. Ahead of the release of her new cookbook, Lovato is revealing how her journey with an eating disorder inspired the creation of her project, sharing the struggles she faced to overcome the challenge.
Demi Lovato Had A Complicated Relationship With Food
Lovato is releasing her first cookbook, “One Plate at a Time: Recipes for Finding Freedom with Food,” and in a conversation with People, the singer revealed the inspiration behind the project.
Lovato has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder in the past, and her relationship with food was a “complicated journey.” As she recalled, it was tough to be around food in the early stages of her recovery. “I was so overwhelmed by food that stepping into a grocery store would make me break down into tears,” the singer shared.
Her therapists suggested cooking to help in her recovery process, but it was challenging to do at first. Several years later, however, Lovato tried cooking with friends, and she had fun making spaghetti squash salad. “I actually stepped foot into the kitchen and had so much joy come from it, and I was proud of what I made,” she added.
The Singer Battled Bulimia
Lovato sought treatment for her eating disorder at 18, but her struggles began as early as 8 years old, as she shared in 2011. “I was compulsively overeating when I was eight years old. So I guess, for the past 10 years I’ve had a really unhealthy relationship with food,” she explained then, per ABC News.
According to the Mayo Clinic, bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder where the patient binge-eats and then purges their intake afterward by drinking laxatives or throwing up. Many who have bulimia are body-conscious, often focusing on what they see as flaws in their appearance.
In an interview with American Way in 2016, the singer opened up about her bulimia, sharing that her mother and grandmother struggled with it as well. As a toddler, she said it was difficult growing up around a person who struggled with bulimia.
Lovato became even more insecure as she entered beauty pageants, where she was judged for her appearance. That was when she began binge-eating.
Demi Lovato’s Recovery
In 2018, Lovato shared a photo of herself in a swimsuit on Instagram and talked about being insecure about her legs. “I’m posting it because I look so happy and this year I’ve decided I’m letting go of my perfectionism and embracing freedom from self-criticism,” she wrote.
The singer then said that overcoming her eating disorder was extremely challenging, but she was working toward “solid recovery” despite some missteps.
In 2024, Lovato sat down with Penn Badgley on “Podcrushed,” where she opened up about her ongoing recovery from her eating disorder. The singer said she had a treatment team that helps her stay on track with her recovery.
“I’m trying to learn body acceptance rather than body positivity, because body positivity feels like, ‘I can’t even reach that yet.’,” she explained, adding that she also has a therapist and nutritionist who specialize in eating disorders.
The Singer Made The Cookbook Accessible For New Cooks
Lovato told People her goal for the cookbook, which is to make it accessible to a certain group of people. “I wanted to create a cookbook that was for people who may have had disordered eating in the past or are just intimidated to step foot into the kitchen for the first time,” the singer said.
As she noted, the cookbook starts with basic recipes, which will help provide a foundation for more complicated ones. Moreover, the recipes only require simple ingredients and do not involve complicated cooking techniques. The book consists of more than 80 recipes, some of which include spaghetti bolognese, pulled pork, salads, tacos, and a cheeseburger.
When Is The Cookbook’s Release Date?
Lovato has been teasing her cookbook since 2025, and she has even tackled some recipes and shared them on Instagram. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as soups, salads, and desserts.
In addition, the cookbook features some photos from Lovato’s home life, as well as hacks, tips, tricks, and personal stories from the singer. “One Plate at a Time: Recipes for Finding Freedom with Food” will be available starting March 17.
