Imagine sitting down to a holiday meal with family and friends while battling an eating disorder. The experience can feel completely different from that of those who are not struggling. Many people look forward to holiday meals—the flavors, the enjoyment of good food, and the satisfaction of a hearty appetite. Most of all, they anticipate the warmth of gathering with loved ones. But for someone coping with an eating disorder, these moments can be fraught with anxiety rather than comfort.

For 16-year-old Marly, last winter’s family Christmas dinner was only a faint memory. Recently diagnosed with a restrictive eating disorder, she now faced the looming nightmare of a holiday meal. The thought of this year’s Christmas dinner filled her with dread. The pressure to sit with her family through a large, multi-course meal felt overwhelming—and terrifying.

All eating disorders involve an intense preoccupation with body weight and shape, a fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. These concerns gradually erode the ability to nourish the body properly. Eating is no........

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