How do you explain to your family?

PearsPeppersandPeanutButter

I have a meat and potatoes family and pizza family, basically your average American Carb loving, meat loving family, and I don't know how to explain to them nicely that I am not going to eat the bad stuff that they are cooking or ordering for me. I feel guilty sometimes, but I don't want to derail my progress or make my body feel like crap just so I don't hurt anyone's feelings.

I want to be able to eat healthy and enjoy my family's company at the same time, but it's getting more and more difficult. I can't just not eat when I'm around them, but I do not want to ruin my eating habits, so that I fit in.

Mostly this is a problem because my step mom and sisters are naturally tiny people and do not have to watch what they eat at all, so they can eat like 3 helpings of spagetti and 8 garlic breads and then sit on the couch and be fine, but if do that I'm going to be in digestive misery and need to walk like 30 miles.

HELP?

LittleMissNerdy

Could you offer to make dinner once or twice a week? Or maybe offer a healthy alternative to something they currently eat? Like maybe wheat bread/pasta instead of white?

KareninCanada

There's nothing wrong with meat and potatoes, or pizza for that matter. It's all about portion control. Have ONE slice of pizza, and a salad or some fruit. Have a full serving of meat, plenty of veggies and a smaller serving of potato. Or introduce them to sweet potatoes! If they don't like them, you can make them yourself in five minutes - scrub the skin, poke several holes and microwave for five minutes. Turn it over halfway through. Cut it in half, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon - yum! But do try not to come across as being demanding or like you don't appreciate their efforts.

Cysso

I don't know if you have any restrictions to your diet (medical or otherwise), but I eat whatever I want. I have cut down my portions by almost half (give or take) since starting on MFP. I know things like pizza aren't that great for me, but I only eat them once a week or so and when I know I'll be eating pizza (or burgers or whatever) I eat light for the rest of the day. This way my family gets what they like and so do I. If anyone asks why I'm only eating half of my regular serving of food I just tell them I'm watching my portions or that I'm not as hungry. If you don't like steak and potatoes or you have no calories left at the end of the day make a large salad and cut up a few bites of steak so that you're still eating with the family.