I can provide some general information on how individuals with eating disorders might try to hide their behaviors.
People with eating disorders often try to conceal their disordered eating habits due to shame, fear of judgment, or a desire to maintain a sense of control. Here are some ways individuals may attempt to hide their eating disorder behaviors, such as not eating anything at dinner:
Pushing food around on the plate: Pretending to eat by moving the food around on the plate to create the appearance of having eaten.
Making excuses: Coming up with various reasons for not eating, such as claiming they are not hungry, feeling unwell, or already having eaten elsewhere.
Eating very slowly: Consuming food at an extremely slow pace to make it seem like they are eating more than they actually are.
Cutting food into small pieces: Breaking food into tiny portions and spreading them out on the plate to make it appear as if they've eaten more.
Hiding food: Discreetly getting rid of food, for example, by throwing it away when no one is looking.
Avoiding social situations involving food: Declining invitations to social gatherings that involve eating, or making excuses to leave early.
It's important to note that these behaviors can be harmful to both physical and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, it's essential to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional or a mental health specialist. Eating disorders are serious conditions that require appropriate treatment and support for recovery.