What do you say/do when someone criticises your diet?

iwantniceabs

I am in a business group and we meet 3 times during the month for different meetings - twice for lunch and once for breakfast, and then will randomly have happy hours with drinks and appetizers throughout the month. On two or three (at most) different occasions, I have just had water while we met because I was trying to eat very clean and healthy and prefer to cook/eat at home. One of the other women seemed to notice, and the next time we had a meeting, she snarkily said "are you actually going to eat today?" I quietly explained that I just had other food plans the last time we all ate together and she said "well I never see you eat, do you eat?" I am not anorexic looking in any way, and have been to at least ten meetings she's attended where I ordered and ate food, so this was particularly annoying. I know it's not a big deal, and I'm not angry, just made me wonder what other people do when people criticise their diets?

I make a lot of vegetable juice and healthy shakes/smoothies at home as well and my family eats a lot of meals together - where I'll bring my drink to have instead. My dad has made a couple joking remarks as well and I'm wondering if it's better to ignore them, or explain why I choose to eat what I do?

iwantniceabs

why does no one ever reply to my posts?!?!

creature275

I would say that if youve done your homework and have the science behind your diet well rehearsed in your head as I do, when someone asks why I eat what I eat and when I eat it I have a very good reason behind it all, if you can spit out a scientifically backed reason to your meal plan then who can argue with you, plus it just makes them look stupid when you start explaining the effects on carbohydrates in relation to your blood glucose and glycogen stored, as well as the effects on proteins and the balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol in foods, they will just look at you with a blank dumbfounded look and probably never question your knowledge again.

kanolet

I find people are understanding and kind if I just say that I have always struggled with eating healthy while out, so I try very hard to eat my meals at home whenever possible. Then flatter the person by saying how much you enjoy being with the group and that's what's important to you about the gatherings, not the food.

There is something very awkard about being at a restaurant with the person that just orders water all of the time, I'll admit (you said you do get food/drinks sometimes, though, so I'm not speaking specifically to your situation). It can make people wonder if you (I'm using the generic "you") are afraid of even having unsweetened tea or fruit or a lettuce salad. While a person might not be anorexic, I still might wonder if they have some disordered thinking about their relationship with food. It's possible not to reach the clinical level of a specific eating disorder, but still have food issues.

Marll

I just ignore them. I get flack all the time for eating the way I do (Low Carb/Paleo) and have grown tired of all the "That'll kill you" nonsense. I let my weight loss and general look of health and well being speak for me.

alaina216

I say screw them :-) I do not need to explain my actions to anyone, as long as I feel great and know that I am doing somethig postitive for ME--then I could care less what anypne has to say. I tell my co-worker (also my friend)--what Im eating (or not eating) has nothing to do with you-so if you are not willing support it, id prefer you say nothing at all

trimom10

Some people just don't have a clue what comes out of their mouth (or goes in their mouth for that matter!). I like what kanolet said above about eating at home and then saying some flattering about enjoying the company/group. If you feel comfortable telling the person about your weight loss/fitness plan, then that may quiet them. Or who knows, they may admit they have been trying to lose weight and you can tell them about MFP. I've had that conversation frequently as of late and turned a few people onto this website.

Alternatively, the excuse I've used before is that I've had a late lunch (if meeting for dinner) and I'll just order something small or only eat half the food.