TV star's 20-year eating disorder means she 'never cooked' on Thanksgiving

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RHONJ’s Jackie Goldschneider joined the show in season 9 and has opened up over the past six years about how she lived with an eating disorder. During her time on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Jackie told her co-stars she was in a “healthy place.” Now, she explains how disordered eating played a part in Thanksgiving traditions, on her podcast with Jennifer Fessler.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey stars Jackie Goldschneider and Jennifer Fessler may be taking time away from the cameras this fall. But, the twosome are bringing all the gossip and drama for their fans via their podcast, Two Jersey J’s. This November, Jackie and Jenn get talking about Thanksgiving.

RHONJ’s Jackie talks Thanksgiving with a eating disorder

During the ladies’ November 12 episode, Jackie and Jenn share stories about Thanksgiving. Jackie, who battled anorexia for 18 years of her life, explains how the time of year used to be tough for her.

“I don’t cook,” explains Jackie. “A big reason why I don’t cook is because for 20 years I didn’t eat.”

Jackie adds: “I never wanted to taste. When you’re anorexic, every bite matters, so I never wanted to taste anything that I was cooking. So, since I couldn’t taste it, I didn’t want to subject everyone else to it.”

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Jackie believes her disordered eating began in teenage years

Appearing on The Skinny Confidential last December, Jackie said kids were “brutal” to her and her brother when they were new children at school.

She explained she was “chubby” and “not a good dresser,” during her teenage years. The RHONJ star said she believed if she was “skinny,” she’d be “happy.”

As her life went on Jackie details how food lost its value as something to enjoy and simply became a “mathematical calculation.”

Before having kids, she says her first priority in life was always “maintaining her weight.”

“I was afraid of food going away too quickly, eating was a treat, like an indulgence. I wanted to make my food last as long as possible so I would freeze things,” she explains.

The star has now been in recovery for three years and went through two years of intensive therapy.

Telling Jenn what her Thanksgiving traditions look like nowadays, she explains she still doesn’t cook, but now it’s because she doesn’t want to.

“Now, I’m just really not interested. We cater. For many years we were members of a country club. So, we’d cater from there…” she explains.

Speaking of where she’s at these days, Jackie says her self-esteem has hugely improved. She says she sometimes “gets nervous” about food, but adds: “There’s no anorexia left. I never restrict, I don’t count, I take days off from the gym, so that’s great.”

If you have been affected by this story, help is available. You can call the ANAD Eating Disorder hotline at 1-630-577-1330 or contact the Hopeline Network at 1-800-442-4673.

In the UK, you can text SHOUT to 85258 24/7 or call 0808 801 0677 to contact Beat.