Demi Lovato has opened up about a deeply personal part of her life, sharing how her relationship with food has changed over the years. Speaking at an event in New York on March 17, she revealed that there was a time when she could not even enjoy a birthday cake during her own celebrations because of her struggles with an eating disorder.
Today, that same symbol holds a completely different meaning for her. While talking about her debut cookbook One Plate at a Time: Recipes for Finding Freedom with Food, Lovato said that including a birthday cake recipe in the book feels very special. She explained that it represents how far she has come in her journey toward healing and self acceptance.
Lovato described the cookbook as a celebration of her progress. She shared that in the past, even simple tasks like going to a grocery store felt overwhelming. She would sometimes feel so anxious around food that it would bring her to tears. These moments showed how difficult her relationship with food once was.
Now, things have changed in a big way. Lovato said she can comfortably go grocery shopping on her own and even enjoys cooking meals for herself. This shift may seem simple, but for her, it is a huge achievement and a sign of personal growth.
The cookbook, which is set to release on March 31, includes more than 80 recipes. It features a variety of dishes like spaghetti bolognese, chicken Milanese with salad, and pulled pork. However, the book is not just about cooking. It also carries an important message about healing and building a healthy relationship with food.
Lovato shared that her love for cooking started to grow about five years into her recovery. She remembered making spaghetti squash with friends and realizing for the first time that cooking could actually be fun. That moment helped change her perspective and made her more open to exploring food in a positive way.
She hopes that her cookbook can help others who may feel nervous about cooking or who have struggled with food in the past. Lovato said she wanted to create something that feels safe and welcoming for beginners.
For her, cooking has become more than just preparing meals. She describes it as an act of love and kindness toward herself. Her story is a reminder that healing takes time, but change is always possible.