Demi Lovato Found Freedom in Cooking After Eating Disorder

After battling an eating disorder for years, Demi Lovato is finally at peace in the kitchen.

“Finding freedom with food really helped me on my journey in recovery,” the pop superstar, 33, exclusively tells Us Weekly ahead of the March 17 release of her first cookbook, One Plate at a Time.

Lovato revealed in 2011 that she had developed bulimia nervosa — which the Mayo Clinic defines as the act of binge-eating and then purging — after being bullied for her weight as a child. She spent years trying to overcome the disorder.

“I remember being in treatment, and there was a time where we had an outing and we had to go to the grocery store,” she recalls to Us. “I broke down into tears because being around so much food was so overwhelming for me.”

However, a few years ago, the “Fast” singer decided to try her hand at cooking with friends.

“I found so much joy, and I just had so much fun,” she enthuses. “I started cooking more. I started experimenting in the kitchen. I started trying new recipes, and for me, it just really helped me in my recovery.”

With her new book, Lovato hopes to help others who have gone through similar disordered eating struggles, though she believes any reader can appreciate its 80-plus recipes and personal anecdotes regardless of their relationship with food.

“As I started working on it, I realized there are so many people that may have had eating disorders or might be just stepping into the kitchen for the first time,” she says. “It started out as something to help me in my recovery and a tool for others, but then it actually ended up becoming a cookbook for just anybody that wants to get into the kitchen for the first time and might be intimidated by cooking.”

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In an effort to help others, Demi Lovato has been candid about substance use, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder and disordered eating — and how, despite her struggles with co-occurring disorders, she’s found happiness, hope and purpose. With her wire-rimmed round glasses, long brown hair and gap-toothed grin, Lovato, 32, skipped, giggled, and danced beside a […]

In addition to whipping up new dishes, the Grammy nominee and New York Times bestselling author has begun incorporating Caliwater into her daily routine to stay fueled. She recently joined the Los Angeles-based company — which makes low-sugar, electrolyte-packed drinks using cactus water — as an ambassador, investor and brand partner.

“Hydration is so key, especially to me, because I’m constantly in rehearsals or working out,” she tells Us. “It’s so important to stay hydrated, and Caliwater is so great with that.”

Lovato, who is set to kick off her It’s Not That Deep Tour on April 13 in Orlando, Florida, even helped develop her own flavor, Blood Orange.

“I love it so much,” she says. “I have one once a day — and sometimes more.”

If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website or call their hotline at (800) 931-2237 to get help.