--- - |2+ Abstract Objective Quantitative evidence suggests that a subset of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) may hold beliefs pertaining to food, body image, and appearance that are delusional in nature. The present study extended this research through qualitatively exploring beliefs held by AN patients and the consequences of holding such beliefs. Method Five participants receiving inpatient treatment for AN took part in semi‐structured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed according to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results Two superordinate themes emerged: “Delusion‐like beliefs,” which detailed participants’ conviction that their bodies responded to food and exercise differently to others and thus they must engage in disordered behaviours to remain at a normal weight; and “Process,” which captured the ways in which participants maintained their beliefs and addressed their variable relationship with insight. Conclusions The current findings suggest that anorectic cognitions can take a delusional quality and thus may not be overvalued ideas only. - Clinical Psychologist, EarlyView.