Neighborhood Food Police
Are you the local food police force?
At family events do they roll their eyes and huff their frustration when you make your food choices known? It's a tricky situation - no one wants to be a party pooper - but maintaining a consistent diet through various social events is a challenge.
What are your options?
You know the scenario:
"Are you okay to eat this?" says the cook, dishing up the food.
You hesitate "Ummm.... yes that's okay"
The cook sighs and responds "well I made this low-fat version especially for you."
Of course the low fat version has enough sugar to sink a ship - but you smile sweetly and get on with eating.
It's difficult enough having special dietary needs (gluten-free, dairy-free etc) - but lets face it - in today's environment just eating healthy is a special dietary need. What is healthy anyway? For some people it's any food with the word "Lite" emblazoned on the label.
What can you do in these social situations?
- Just get right in there and eat everything put in front of you. Blend in with the crowd and be the life and soul of the party.
- Turn your nose up at everything - and risk never being invited out again.
- Take your own portion-controlled nutrient-dense pre-made meal. Sit quietly in the corner eating your food being content that you will be forever ostracized as an orthorexic food fanatic.
- Partake of the food offered to you - but in small amounts. Eat slowly and enjoy yourself. Stand firm when offered seconds. Thank the cook for taking the time to prepare the food.
No one wants to party with the neighborhood food police. And neither do you have to live your life as a people-pleaser - it's your body, and you get to choose what you put into it.
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Yes I am the resident evil health nut that spoils everyone’s food fun.
No, actually I have come a long way with this and choose option 4 as well unless the food is particularly troubling. I only discuss the food if someone asks and even then I don't say much.
I find that what I do with my diet consistently determines my results and an occasional dietary indiscretion will not cause me too many problems.
Also any people I socialize with knew me when I weighed almost 300 pounds and understand why I don’t eat certain foods anymore.
Finally I have a responsibility to practice what I preach as an Age Management Medicine physician.
http://www.antiagingatlanta.com
ReplyOh yes, I am guilty of being the trans fat police-but I feel I am protecting my friends and family-sometimes I should just let it go but it is soooo hard.
ReplyI think my family sometimes walks on eggshells around me at family gatherings, but they do respect my desires to eat healthy. My husband's family doesn't "get it" sometimes, they think only fat people should eat healthy (?) and if you're thin, you can eat whatever you want. My mother in law is the worst...she is diabetic and so whenever she comes over, I'm always careful to make a meal that she can eat and enjoy. When I come to HER house, she tells me I should eat more and she refuses to buy decent produce. My own side of the family is usually pretty understanding, since many of them have actually started adopting my eating habits after watching me slim down. But I try not to play food police at gatherings where no one knows me. I just go with Jim's Option #4 most of the time. I don't think anyone's ever been offended by my not taking seconds.
ReplyI don't have that problem. Ok I do... but most people are use to my antics by now and at family events I just don't eat anything at all most of the time. Yes, they huff and cajole but it doesn't bother me. Now if I tell them what I really think -they're all going to be huffing and puffing and clogging their arteries while I'm happily running at 60 - I think I would never be invited again, but oh well.
Replysacrifices must be made.
and why should food be the deciding factor at every gathering anyways? it shouldn't.
I make it a habbit of eating before attending any event that cuts into meal time. My in-laws refuse to tell me what they are preparing for dinner when they invite us over, then they wonder why I don't eat anything but salad and side veggies. Both my husband and I have told them that i'm not eating certain foods.
What really bugs me is that whenever they come over to our house, I make special foods that they like and I always take into consideration their allergies and dislikes for certain food.
I have to agree with the original post, I'm the only one responsible for what goes into my mouth, and if others can't support me or atleast I know that i'm making the right choices for my way of eating.
ReplyI don't know what is it but my family knows I am not as strong as I should be in food choices. Even though, they still continue to be a stumbling block for me. Being a boarderline Diabetic, I still receive much chocolate candy from them in bags. I have five continual places where I socialize and it's always food connected. My best bet is to not be available, suffer the consequences, or continue to say no, no, no louder and louder! Some of the times I just pass the given of candy etc. on, fast, before I change my mind and enjoy. I have been a strong person once in the diet zone and losing but now I am a yo-yo. The outsider food police always push my rebellion button. Sometimes I wonder if I really want to lose weight, even though I don't like being fat?
ReplyThe best (and only) option if you still want to be socially accomodating would have to be Option 4. Like what I always tell my patients, if the food has to be unhealthy. So be it. It won't be the end of the world, provided it doesn't happen every single meal. Perhaps, try to eat less the next meal or spend an extra 10 minutes into your exercise session the next day. It helps! Weight gain doesn't happen overnight.
ReplyDuring the party or dinner, take your time to chew, talk, laugh and avoid second helpings if you can. Or else, if it's a potluck style, bring your own healthy dish to share with your friends and hopefully encourage them to make it a "healthy food" culture the next time any of you organize such gatherings. If all else fails, at least you still have your own "healthy" food to splurge on.
Most people don't understand unhealthy food processing procedures such as trans fat. Us baby boomers were raised on it because it was a cheap substitute for natural fat. Our parents didn't know it was artificial. They thought shortening and margarine were modern miracles. I don't think food products even had ingredient lists when I was a child. You can't go around a family gathering and be critical of grand ma's traditions. Take option 4 if it is only one meal. If it has to be a weekend or more take your own food for some meals.
Replyhey here is a tip guys!
Replywhen going to a family gathering, drinlk 12oz of water ( or actually one water bottle) before you eat at the gathering. because you are somewhat full, its harder to consume as much food! never go to a gathering STARVING! that will make you overeat. always have alittle something to tide you over!
Maybe fruit snacks and water, or tastly crackers and water. But always the water.