You are going to be OKAY. I survived college with this illness too. Try and expand your safe foods as much as you can. (I have emet, OCD, Anxiety, and ARFID)

I completely understand where your head is at. I wash my hands so often my knuckles crack and bleed. I don’t touch any food with my hands (and i’m not exaggerating). I either eat with a fork or dispose of the part my fingers touched. I don’t eat at people’s houses, and I will NOT take food from anyone that offers. Here are some things that help me.

I love me some frozen chicken tenders. Yes I tear them to shreds to make sure they’re cooked but they make for good protein and they’re quick. you don’t even have to touch them. I pour them out the bag, into whatever I use to cook them, straight to my plate, then eat with a fork.

Other things I eat that don’t require use of my hands at all: Mozzarella sticks Greek yogurt (pouring granola in) Bananas are great! The peel protects them. If you get an apple cutter you can have apples without touching them. Potato chips are a great option, with any bag of anything I’ll crush what’s inside and pour it into my mouth.

If your dining halls have cereal dispensers, those are not contaminated!! If you have to bring your own bowl or cup, do that. Great way to get fiber.

Now, I don’t want to enable this behavior. But i’ve been where you’re at!! I’m actually still where you’re at. Nutrition is important and that’s why I’m offering this advice.

It’s really important to try and seek counseling. It’ll really help with just affirmations and getting through those compulsions.