How do you stay polite and maintain a healthy diet?

ahinski

I'm going to my aunt's for dinner tonight. She texted me to let me know she prepared a "burrito casserole" just for me (without meat since I'm vegetarian), but from the sounds of it, it's not something I'd normally eat. I've accepted that, in order to be polite, I'll have a small portion of it, but try to make the majority of my plate out of whatever side vegetable she prepared (let's hope she has some).

Also, have you ever felt like people who don't eat healthily roll their eyes at you or take it almost personally when you try to eat small portions and stick to healthy foods? I was at a diner this morning for brunch with some friends and they looked at me like I was crazy when I ordered my egg white omelet prepared without oil or butter and also asked for a fruit cup instead of home fries on the side. People seem to think I"m being snobby or taking health too seriously, but if I treated myself every time I went out to eat (which can be up to 4-5 times a week some weeks), I'd never stay fit! Sometimes I use the excuse of my gall bladder bothering me when I eat foods that are high in fat (which is actually true), but I shouldn't have to make excuses, right!? Or should I?? I don't know!

What do you do to stay humble and polite and maintain your healthy eating habits?

Scorpioangel

It is very hard to not offend people it seems when you are watching what you eat. I know exactly where you are coming from! My taste in food has even changed so I don't' even like some of the stuff that I liked before. I have had the same reactions from people, people thinking I am snobby and think I am too good for their food, etc. I also hate it when people are like "you need to eat a burger so why are you worried". I just remember how I got to where I was that's all. You should not have to make excuses at all!

For a while people were like that with me but after a while of seeing that you are going to stick to your guns, they most likely will get used to your eating and not push so much

terrellc1

When going out to a restaurant, have it your way.

But enjoy your aunt's burrito casserole; it was made with love. It warmed my heart to read that she made it especially for you because you are a vegetarian...sounds like something my grandmother would have done. Then take some home with you even if you don't eat it. It will make her feel good and appreciated.

daisydieter

When going out to a restaurant, have it your way.

But enjoy your aunt's burrito casserole; it was made with love. It warmed my heart to read that she made it especially for you because you are a vegetarian...sounds like something my grandmother would have done. Then take some home with you even if you don't eat it. It will make her feel good and appreciated.

I love this.

XXXMinnieXXX

When going out to a restaurant, have it your way.

But enjoy your aunt's burrito casserole; it was made with love. It warmed my heart to read that she made it especially for you because you are a vegetarian...sounds like something my grandmother would have done. Then take some home with you even if you don't eat it. It will make her feel good and appreciated.

I love this.

Love this too. I know what you mean though. Pssst I blame the gall bladder too. Ha ha x

Silverstar46

You stay polite but firm about what you are doing. Tell them that you are not trying to change their eating habits, only your own. If they are real friends and a good family, they will understand.

As for the burrito casserole - I had this happen a couple weeks ago at my sister's place. She invited me for dinner and told me they were having chicken.

Well it was chicken smothered in a marinade with kraft macaroni and cheese, corn and green beans dripping in butter and salt.

I took a little bit of it all and even had extra of the mac n cheese because I hadn't had any in a year and it was tasty. (regretted it later when i saw a serving and a half was FIVE HUNDRED calories!) But the point was that I made my sister happy and if the next day I had to walk a little longer - that's okay too.

Some days will be better than others. This is a lifestyle change and not just a diet which means some days you WILL overeat or eat the wrong things. Our bodies can handle that. They just aren't made to be abused every single day!

ahinski

When going out to a restaurant, have it your way.

But enjoy your aunt's burrito casserole; it was made with love. It warmed my heart to read that she made it especially for you because you are a vegetarian...sounds like something my grandmother would have done. Then take some home with you even if you don't eat it. It will make her feel good and appreciated.

This is great! It's how I generally think of it, too. Even though I'm a vegetarian, I'll eat poultry if it's the only option when it comes to someone's cooking--I'd rather not offend them. If it's red meat, I don't eat it, only out of fear I'd get sick, since it's been so long since i've had it (so in that sense I often refer to myself as a "flexatarian"). I've always felt that my priority is to make other people feel loved and appreciated--I can make up for a few more servings of cheese than I'd like (the burrito casserole had SO MUCH cheese!!!), but I'd feel even more guilty if I offended my favorite aunt.

Sounds like most of us have the same philosophy about this!