In her latest video, Peggy comes to us from a peaceful (though very romantic!) little restaurant on the Grand Union Canal . For those who don’t know, Peggy spent many years living and working on canal boats across the country, so it’s no surprise she feels right at home waterside!
As she sits by the canal, Peggy talks openly about something many people struggle with but rarely discuss: the fear of eating in front of others.
These fears even have names:
- Solomangarephobia — fear of eating alone in public
- Deipnophobia — fear of eating with, or in front of others
Both are more common than people realise, especially for those who’ve experienced anxiety, trauma, body-image worries, or past criticism around food or table manners.
But the good news? There are ways to feel calmer, more grounded, and more confident. Peggy shares five gentle tips that can help.
5 Calming Tips for Eating in Front of Others
1. Try People-Watching
This simple shift in focus can be surprisingly soothing. By observing the world around you — the chatter, the scenery, the small details — you redirect your attention outward instead of inwards on anxious thoughts.
2. What Other People Think of You Is None of Your Business
A firm favourite in Peggy’s toolkit!
Most people in a café or restaurant are wrapped up in their own day, their own food, their own thoughts. And even if someone did think something… you don’t have to carry it.
3. Bring a Book to the Table
Reading gives your mind something comforting, familiar, and grounding to focus on. It can help break that feeling of being ‘on display’ and bring a sense of normality back to the moment.
4. Eat Mindfully – Focus on the Food
Notice the textures, flavours, colours, and warmth. Eating mindfully not only reduces anxiety, it turns the meal into a sensory experience rather than a stressful one.
5. Gently Explore the Root Cause
Fear around eating in public often comes from earlier experiences, embarrassment, judgement, bullying, cultural expectations, or social anxiety. You don’t have to solve it all at once, but gently exploring where the fear comes from can make it easier to work through over time.
Remember, you’re not alone
Peggy’s canal-side reminder is simple: This fear is more common than you think, and you deserve to feel comfortable and confident when eating, wherever you are. Through mindfulness, self-kindness, and small steps like these, it is possible to soften the anxiety and reclaim the simple pleasure of enjoying food in the world.
Be sure to like and subscribe to our new YouTube channel and check out our recent videos for more like this! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and get ready to enjoy our fun tips and tools for managing anxiety with mindful art.
