Eating Disorder Made Demi Lovato Skip Cake on Her Birthdays

Demi Lovato is opening up about how cooking and creating her first cookbook helped her grow personally and overcome struggles with food. The singer spoke at the 92nd Street Y in New York on March 17 and shared that one dessert in particular holds a lot of meaning for her.

Her upcoming cookbook, One Plate at a Time: Recipes for Finding Freedom with Food, includes a birthday cake recipe that she says represents a big step in her recovery. Lovato explained that there was a time when she didn’t celebrate her birthdays with cake because of her complicated relationship with eating.

“There’s a time in my life where I wouldn’t celebrate my birthdays with cakes, and so to have a birthday cake recipe in my cookbook is so meaningful and has been so rewarding,” she told the audience.

The singer said the book reflects her journey through an eating disorder. She remembered feeling overwhelmed by food, even when simply going to a grocery store. “I used to step foot into a grocery store and break down into tears because I was so overwhelmed by all of the food,” Lovato said.

Now, she feels empowered by doing things that used to scare her. “And now I’m not only going into grocery stores and shopping myself, but I’m also cooking the meals that I’m making, and that’s a huge win for me,” she shared.

The cookbook launches on March 31 and has more than 80 recipes. Lovato designed the dishes to be easy to make and comforting, including spaghetti bolognese, chicken milanese with arugula salad, and pulled pork.

She said cooking brought her joy and pride. “When I actually stepped foot into the kitchen and had so much joy come from it, and I was proud of what I made,” she said. Lovato hopes the book can help other people who struggle with food or feel nervous about cooking.

“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,” she explained.

Outside of the cookbook, Lovato is staying busy in entertainment. She recently co-directed a documentary called Child Star, which explores her experiences growing up in the spotlight. In her personal life, she is engaged to songwriter Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, who she credits with giving her support and stability.

Lovato continues to use her platform to raise awareness about mental health and body positivity. With her new cookbook, she is turning her personal healing into a guide for others. The project is more than just recipes—it shows how she found confidence and joy again through cooking.

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