If you’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), you may have encountered some difficulties when it comes to food. HSPs can be particular about what they eat, making dining out or even cooking at home a challenge. Especially when you’re tired and just want to eat something, anything! It can also make choosing healthy food options difficult, as you may be avoiding foods that are too stimulating or overwhelming for your senses.
So, what is an HSP to do when hunger strikes?
Restaurants Can Be a Minefield for HSPs
Eating at restaurants can be tricky for HSPs. If you’re the type of person who is particular about your food, you may have trouble finding something on the menu that you like. You’re particular about the things you’re particular about, and that’s perfectly normal! We all have our preferences and HSPs are no different.
One way to make dining out a bit easier is to find restaurants with a limited menu of things you enjoy. This way you don’t have to stress over if this is another restaurant with nothing that you’ll want to eat. This not only will result in you being hungry but it’ll also be a waste of time and money. If you’re also focusing on making healthier choices (we know breadsticks are great but let’s be real), making sure the restaurant has a good choice of vegetables and fruits is also important that way you can sub out the breadsticks for some vegetable or fruit.
Textures and Smells For A Sensitive, Introverted Woman
Since we all know that HSPs are sensitive, this also applies to textures and smells. If you’re someone who doesn’t like their food to touch each other on the plate, then make sure to tell your waiter or waitress.
Asking for separate plates or asking for your food to be plated a certain way won’t make you weird, it’ll just make sure that you’re able to enjoy your meal.
You can also ask them to remove items that you know you won’t eat from your dish, like onions or olives. It will save you stress from removing those from your dish yourself. If someone is ordering for you, don’t be afraid to give them specific instructions on what you do and don’t want. Send them a text or write it out so they don’t forget anything. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’ll be worth it when you’re able to enjoy your meal.
If you have a hard time dealing with strong smells, choosing a restaurant that’s not a buffet or aromatic food might be a better option. However, if you enjoy food from a certain cuisine, don’t let the smell stop you from going! Just make sure to sit near an open window or door to help with the scent. Or, get it to go!
Noise Is Also a Factor For HSPs
I’m sure as a sensitive introverted woman, you’ve tried going to your favorite restaurant. Only to find that it has so many people and so much noise that it’s impossible to even hear yourself think, let alone enjoy your meal. If this is the case, try going during a time when you know that it will not be as busy. This might mean going for lunch instead of dinner or on a weekday instead of the weekend. Or, if they are a restaurant that is always busy, try making a reservation. This way you can request a table that is away from the loudest areas.
If you’re just not in the mood to navigate a restaurant, you can always order your food to go. As an HSP coach, I’m telling you that enjoying your meal in peace is important. Even if it’s in the comfort of your own home. This way you don’t have to cook but you don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of a restaurant either!
Eating at Home is an Option Too
As an HSP, restaurants are not the only places food can be an issue. You may have preferred food at home but cooking for yourself can sometimes be just as challenging. Perhaps you are so hungry that you just want to eat anything and everything in sight. Or, maybe you’re so tired that the idea of cooking is just too much. This can result in you eating something that is not particularly healthy or satisfying. Or, you may find yourself not eating at all because you just can’t be bothered.
As a Sensitive Introverted Woman, Find What Works for You to Be Successful
When eating at home, finding ways to eat healthy, nutritious foods when you have specific preferences can be tough, but it’s not impossible. It may just take a bit more work to find what works for you.
It can be as simple as switching from processed foods to whole foods or cooking your meals from scratch. Or, it can be indulging in your cravings but making sure it’s not something that you are going to binge eat then
you’re left with no more snacks until your next meal.
Goodbye, chocolate cake… until next time.
This doesn’t mean you have to diet! Because let’s be honest. You already have a particular menu of things you like and don’t like, and adding or removing one thing can make or break your meal. This is just about being mindful of what you’re eating and how it’s going to affect you. Plus, endless dieting can affect you by causing mood swings, and digestion issues, and can even lead to disordered eating. In my opinion as an HSP coach, if you’re making an effort to eat more mindfully, then you’ll be able to make small, nutritious substitutions that will benefit you in the long run.
For example, when you want some chips but you know they’re not going to make you feel your best, try opting for a healthier alternative like roasted chickpeas or veggie sticks. Or, put them where you can’t see them so you’re not as tempted to eat them. Out of sight, out of mind! 
Another way to make sure you’re eating healthy is to have a rotation of nutritious recipes to pick from so you’re not eating the same thing all the time. This way you can mix up your meals and get a variety of nutrients and flavors in a way that still works for you.
INTERESTED IN COACHING FOR SENSITIVE INTROVERTED WOMEN WITH ENID DEJESUS?
Eating can be a challenge for HSPs but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Most things are better if you have someone to empower you and support you through it! As an HSP and introvert coach, I would love to help you figure out individualized strategies to live your life in a radicalized, authentic way. If you want that too, then let’s connect I help women all over the world find strategies to work with their HSP traits so they can show up fully in their lives. You can learn more about my radical introvert coaching program with this free, Radical Introvert Audio Training “How to Find Peace in This Fast-Paced World”. When you’re ready to take action, I make it simple to book a free, 30-minute consultation call with me. I can’t wait to hear from you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enid DeJesus is a fellow introvert and sensitive person who coaches sensitive, introverted women located in Florida. As a sensitive person herself, Enid understands how hard it can be to navigate the challenges the world throws our way. Whether that be food, relationships, or work. Enid knows what it is like to feel like you have to conform to a world that doesn’t understand you. Which is why she became a coach! She created her coaching program to help liberate women from the pressure to be different but also to women design their lives according to their sensitive, introverted needs.
If you’re interested to start the radical introvert coaching program, let’s talk!
