Do NOT Accept...Unwanted Food


Acceptance of prevailing standards often means we have no standards of our own.
--Jean Toomer
Food Pushers.

Pressure Feeders.

Whatever you call them, these are people in your life--parents, grandparents, siblings, children, other relatives, friends, and co-workers--who, for whatever reason, try to force food on you.

Guess what? You do NOT have to accept it.

That does not mean that you can't ever eat any goodies--sure you can--but make sure it's on your terms, not someone else's.

I'm not sure why our friends and family like to push food at us, especially when they know we are trying to make life-long dietary changes.

Some possible reasons can be found here.

When someone insists on your taking an unwanted food (for whatever reason), one of the best responses I have discovered: "It looks good, but I must decline because it's not in my plan for today. But I'd love to take a small piece home for later." That way, you can save the food for later, give it away, or discreetly throw it away.

If the pusher keeps on insisting that you eat it now, you may need to respond more strongly: "I'm sorry, but I must decline. I should not eat anything that might upset my system, and I'm sure you would not like to see my insulin resistance to kick up."

If you know the person well, you can use humor: "I'm allergic to junk food; I break out in fat."

I once worked at a place where birthday parties occurred once a month, complete with cake, chips and pretzels, ice cream, and cookies. Fortunately, my co-workers were pretty good about not pushing food to dieters. The goodies were there if you wanted them, but it was no big deal.

In that case, labelling these people as food pushers may be a bit strong. After all, in our culture, social events are built around food, and we can't expect others to accommodate our every need just because we are watching our diet.

Just make sure that YOU do not become the food police.

Today, we are going to a cookout at my son's; we are bringing most of the food: London Broil steaks, corn on the cob, diet soda, and watermelon. We got a deal on the steaks: buy one, get one free. We might pick up some shrimp (steamed with Old Bay).

Eric and Amy (his girlfriend) know that I'm a Weight Watcher and that Jerry is on a cardiac diet and are totally cool with it.

I don't make a big deal out of it, though; it's my deal, not necessarily everyone else's. I'm not the food police.

'Til later!

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