I love to cook but I get so scared cooking for others

Don't use cans as often.

I get it, I am not above "cheating" at cooking myself, I like to say cheat at cooking, not at relationships. But when you're cooking for others especially, the more natural you can get, the better. Can you get the sweet potatoes in a jar? Or, can you actually wash and prep the sweet potatoes so you don't need to use canned? Maybe do another part of it ahead of time to save you some time?

As far as cans go, I never touch the top ever. I might strain the contents of the can into a clean bowl to see if that gets any metal bits if I suspected that metal bits would be a problem. If the chunks of sweet potato or whatever are too big to go through the strainer, they're big enough to visually inspect for those metal bits.

More than that though, how often do you make that recipe for yourself? When I cook for company, I tend to stick to recipes that I'm confident in, and that confidence comes from trial and error. So I've got the bugs worked out in my process already, to reduce the likelihood that a mishap will happen. Of course, they always can happen, especially if it involves cutting and peeling.

MaddKat said:

I was going to bring a sweet potato casserole to a Christmas party tonight. But when I was opening the cans, I had trouble with the can opener, and I freaked out because I thought a piece of metal from the can got in the sweet potatoes. And then as I was inspecting the can to see if the piece from the top matched the edge from the side (if it matched, then no missing pieces in the food), I cut myself on the can. And I didn't realize it was bleeding until I got further involved in cooking.

So I'll be having a sweet potato casserole just for me and my lunches for awhile now. I can't bring it to the party.

I can't stand this. I WANT to be able to cook for others! I live alone now, but I desperately want a family. But the thought of cooking for a husband and little kids scares me, because I'm scared something will get in the food (mainly I have this phobia that a piece of metal will get in it, but I also went as far as putting gloves on once I realized I cut myself so nothing would spread to other ingredients I might use later when cooking for others). I'm so frustrated.

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I get it! I had (well, maybe still have some) a similar obsession about glass. LOL.

What are some ways you can work on treating this obsession? What are your ideas for strategies you could use, or ways you could practice standing up against it?

MaddKat said:

I was going to bring a sweet potato casserole to a Christmas party tonight. But when I was opening the cans, I had trouble with the can opener, and I freaked out because I thought a piece of metal from the can got in the sweet potatoes. And then as I was inspecting the can to see if the piece from the top matched the edge from the side (if it matched, then no missing pieces in the food), I cut myself on the can. And I didn't realize it was bleeding until I got further involved in cooking.

So I'll be having a sweet potato casserole just for me and my lunches for awhile now. I can't bring it to the party.

I can't stand this. I WANT to be able to cook for others! I live alone now, but I desperately want a family. But the thought of cooking for a husband and little kids scares me, because I'm scared something will get in the food (mainly I have this phobia that a piece of metal will get in it, but I also went as far as putting gloves on once I realized I cut myself so nothing would spread to other ingredients I might use later when cooking for others). I'm so frustrated.

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Dearest sister,Fear not.

I have been in your shoes many times before and I believe it is the lords best interest you endure through this so you become strong to withstand them in the future!

I used to suffer terribly with the unknown thought that I was either lazy in preparation or poisoning food.I used to worry about wether I wanted to pour bleach in my dogs water bowls,I used to worry about dropping pills in my family members drinks.That is the sad and hurtful nature of OCD.But here is something to know,if a piece of metal was to get into food,IF it were,it is the Lords will,and always remember his will is better than any of ours.I understand completely you want to prevent anyone from getting hurt,and I commend you for that.But I simply ask you to trust in the Lord like it says in proverbs,and ask him to sustain you through this so that you can be stronger in the future in similar situations.

MaddKat said:

I was going to bring a sweet potato casserole to a Christmas party tonight. But when I was opening the cans, I had trouble with the can opener, and I freaked out because I thought a piece of metal from the can got in the sweet potatoes. And then as I was inspecting the can to see if the piece from the top matched the edge from the side (if it matched, then no missing pieces in the food), I cut myself on the can. And I didn't realize it was bleeding until I got further involved in cooking.

So I'll be having a sweet potato casserole just for me and my lunches for awhile now. I can't bring it to the party.

I can't stand this. I WANT to be able to cook for others! I live alone now, but I desperately want a family. But the thought of cooking for a husband and little kids scares me, because I'm scared something will get in the food (mainly I have this phobia that a piece of metal will get in it, but I also went as far as putting gloves on once I realized I cut myself so nothing would spread to other ingredients I might use later when cooking for others). I'm so frustrated.

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Honestly, that's simply a lack of self confidence that is exacerbated by your mental illness.

Don't overthink it and you'll do fine.

I've opened probably thousands of cans in my life and cooked an untold number of meals for family and friends and not one person has ever been hurt (save my own small cuts and burns over the course of time...lol)

The human body is quite resilient, trust yourself and God's design. If you accidentally cut yourself when cooking, throw out the food and try again.

Sorry for what you're going through-- I can definitely relate with my OCD. I pray that God gives you the grace needed to cook for others. Also don't think that because of your OCD you can't get married and have kids. OCD is not a disqualifier from these things.

MaddKat said:

Lol I have a similar fear with glass, but it's less pervasive anyway, cooking with a friend isn't as anxiety inducing, because THEY'RE not worried, so it helps me get over it (I'm still picky about how we do things, but I was able to make cookies with a friend recently). When I'm cooking for myself I don't think about it as much, but when I know it's for a potluck or something, then I get anxious. I suppose pretending someone else is with me cooking helps a bit

One thing I've noticed is when I moved out on my own recently, a LOT of my anxieties decreased. Maybe it was the change in environment--not that my old living situation was bad. So I'm hoping that if/when I get married and HAVE to start making meals for my family, I'll get over it

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I get it! I usually only worried about glass when I was cooking for my grandmother. :/ I'm glad your anxiety has decreased some. My suggestion would be that if/when OCD comes around, see it as a good opportunity to practice saying "no" to it! Getting stronger over OCD is a process, so practice working against it as much as you can whenever you can, even if it's just in small ways. It's difficult to do, but that's the way we gain victory over it and become able to say "no" to it in bigger and bigger ways!