Getting picked on about what you eat at work?
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This is part of an email I got today. I'm sure it was intended as a joke because the nurse that sent it out is on a "diet" where they were using HCG injections.
"Everyone is invited to participate Sign-up sheet is at the nurses station.
Kenny please do not bring any health food. "
Btw, I'm not on a diet, I eat what I want, just don't eat more than I burn....0 -
I get it. It's annoying when people comment about what you are eating. No one made them the food police. It doesn't matter what you are eating, unsolicited comments are annoying. Once, ok - but again and again is NOT acceptable (not that one is really acceptable either).
The food police are everywhere. Do your best to calmly tell this co-worker that you really don't find his comments about food entertaining and you wish he would stop. Tell that to anyone who makes comments.
True story here, I have a friend who is quite overweight. Her office orders in ice cream once a month for the people who have birthdays that month. It becomes a sundae fest. She planned her day (her birthday month) where she could have a small scoop of ice cream as a treat and not be over her goal. Well as she was going for the ice cream someone oinked at her and then people started to snicker. These were adults. Not only adults but one of them was a partner in the firm. This was years ago and she's still traumatized by it.
I had someone (not overweight) post on Facebook today asking why do people need to comment that they don't drink soda just because she's drinking a soda? It's annoying.
I can tell you horrible food police and comments that were aimed at me too. The point is, they happen. Try to think of a nice and proper way to stop it as it happens - a comment that doesn't sound rude but makes the other person think about it and hopefully apologize.0 -
I agree that it's none of his business what you eat or how you eat it, but I don't think it is a problem big enough for the supervisor to deal with. Just my opinion though....0
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I'm a vegetarian - I get "What's THAT?" comments about my lunch all the time, followed by, "Yuck, I hate tofu". So I've started going out for a power walk at lunch, and eating half my meal a little before lunch, and the other half a little after lunch.
Today, at a work luncheon, I was checking the calories of my restaurant lunch on my phone, and I got questions about what I was doing. I answered openly, and shared what I was learning about myself. Of *course*, the tall slender blonde woman on our team made a somewhat-condescending comment about never having to worry about what she ate.
Bottom line, for whatever reason, people always feel free to comment on other people's EVERYTHING. Rest assured, it is about THEM, not you. They are projecting their own fears and guilt out there. When people "critique" my diet or lifestyle - or anything else - I just say, "interesting...."0 -
I thought I was the only one who felt this way!
Long story short I work with 3 adult men from Sri Lanka and they always offer me from their food (which is extremely delish) & I would eat w/ them daily- but now I really try not to but they feel offended when I dont eat any or get upset!!!.! Mostly their food includes curry rice ( A LOT) and yeah thats what Im avoiding.
So now at lunch I just eat alone or go and take a 10 min walk...
Its not good feeling forced to eat what you dont want at work or anywhere...So I highly feel you!0 -
I eat tuna in oil and cottage cheese with pickles and onions for breakfast.... my coworkers call it alien food....0
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Okay, to answer up on all these posts in one shot:
1. If this is his idea of hitting on me, you should know he's married.
2. If this is his idea of a joke, I didn't think it was particularly funny. I honestly felt like he was denouncing my Asian culture.
3. He's actually in great shape, which is surprising for a guy who I saw eating both a Mrs. Freshley's Butterhorn Danish (with 62 grams of carbohydrates) and a bowl of spaghetti the other day! I wouldn't be surprised if he probably has Type 2 Diabetes and doesn't even know it.
When I got the diabetes diagnosis, I had to make a lot of changes, including cutting back on the rice. Last year, others at my job asked me what I was doing to lose the weight, so I gave them the information on what I did. For the most part, my co-workers have been very supportive of my weight loss, and I vow to keep it off, even when some people have the nerve to question what I'm eating.
1. You say that like it makes a difference to some people. Just sayin.
2. I can see where him expressing his own cultural version of the food might seem like cross-cultural oppression. Kind of, but I think your understandable awareness of that subject may be allowing you to read into that interaction a bit much. Who knows, though, you could be right. I certainly wasn't there.
3. Really? Don't you think you're being just a tad bit superior/judgmental about his food choices there when you don't know jack about his health? It kind of turns you from sounding annoyed at him for the interaction to being annoyed with him because he doesn't have diabetes.
I think it's great that you've lost weight. I think it's unfortunate that your workplace environment is such that you didn't feel comfortable talking with him about it in a direct way.0 -
Typically in an 8 hour shift, I bring some kind of mixed fruit, cheese sticks, greek yogurt, chicken/fish and veggies, or some kind of sandwich wrap, and cucumber/tomatoes. My coworkers will make comments like "you're going to eat all that?" or "you eat like a rabbit" or "i forget you're on a diet."
I just ignore them. It's really none of their business what I do or don't eat. It's not my business to comment on what they eat. I wouldn't have seen a supervisor, because sometimes people really just don't get how what they're saying could hurt someone else's feelings or even be something problematic.
I think it's a little hypocritical that you're making judgment calls on his eating spaghetti, or a danish. It shouldn't be "surprising" that he's in good shape.0 -
my friends and family constant comment on what i eat, but you know what.. i know its because they feel guilty about eating their unhealthy foods which they know they could go without therefore it doesnt bother me. what bothers me is when they say stuff like 'i know I shouldnt be eating a WHITE bread roll' as if i care what they eat. though i agree with the others on this he seems to have been simply flirting.0
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You are the kind of person that destroys work environments and makes people miserable at work. Just an fyi. Camaraderie should be the way.0
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I must be the odd women out, a couple of my coworkers hang around the microwave when I am heating my lunch wanting to know what I am having today as it always smells so good, the only thing they make faces at is my smoothies..greenish, brownish & semi frozen. I try to have those at home before I go to work now.0
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I would understand if he was putting you down for your food choices, but the guy is just making conversation in a joking manner. I really think you're overreacting. Not to mention in another post you just critiqued all of his food choices..0
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Yep. All the time. From friends, family, and co-workers. "You need to eat a cheeseburger or something!" "What ARE you eating?" "That looks nasty" "Don't invite her to lunch, she doesn't eat anyway" and on and on and on. My own daughter gave me grief because I turned down cake at a birthday party saying "my mom's just on this crazy diet where she doesn't eat anything" (I eat 1500 calories a day, more if I work out). I get grief if I eat what others consider small portions, if I eat what others consider "health food" or "rabbit food" and ESPECIALLY about my green smoothies. I literally try to find time to make and drink them when NO ONE is around, family or co-worker or otherwise. I have even resorted to drinking one in the car on the way to work just to avoid the questions and comments.
What I say is, IGNORE it. Let it go in one ear and out the others. Misery loves company and people love to rain on the parades of those who are trying to improve themselves and make positive, healthy choices. Usually because they themselves know they are incapable of doing so and it makes them bitter. Keep eating the way you eat and make the choices you know are best for your body and health. Don't bother entertaining anyone who is not a positive, like minded, supportive individual. Let that crap just roll off your back. Haters are everywhere. But they can only get to you if you let them.0 -
I say: "don't yuck my yum, man".0
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He was trying to be funny I'm sure.
For the sake of gravy relax.
Your doing great who gives a rats patootie what people say?0 -
People are ridiculous...and jealous. Seeing someone have the will power and strength to eat healthy when they can't makes them feel weak and inadequate...so they have to make themselves feel better by assuming there is something wrong with you for not wanting to stuff your face with ham loaf and french fries.0
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Lol. Idk why everyone is freaking out about rice with butter or rice with gravy. Rice with gravy is freakin delicious, especially if the gravy has some nice little meaty bits. You never had a nice roast beef and made gravy with the pan drippings and made rice on the side instead of potatoes or noodles? You are missing out.
Oh, and an edit to be more on topic: Everyone at work it seems is on some sort of 'attempt to lose weight' so no one comments on another persons food choices. Although this does lead to the 'being bad as a group' mentality a bit. If someone brings in cupcakes and one person can resist, then we all do. If one person caves.... then yeah.... we pretty much all do.
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There's an easy answer....tell them to STFU0
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Every day someone comments on my snacks or the amount of food I am eating. It's silly because they go out and bring back large amounts of food and gobble it down like it's the thing to do. Some one is always saying things like oh go have a hamburger or trying to get me to eat some potato chips or other things that I do not and will not eat on a regular basis at least. I just tell them there is a time for that and it is not now and I do splurge every once in a while but can not do it everyday or every meal. I also inform them that I eat a normal portion size. That always gets them.
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"That's how I like it." /end conversation.0
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Maybe I'm just wired differently and I heard this conversation going down a certain way in my head, but really...
It sounded like was hitting on/flirting with you, in that sort of inept way guys sometimes have when we think we're being charming but aren't.
^ I agree with this.0 -
You are the kind of person that destroys work environments and makes people miserable at work.
This is the kind of people our society is creating.... Everything is offensive, noone can take a joke or turn the other cheek.
From what I read this guy didnt even say anything wrong, if you didnt like his comments you should have said, "Do I have to listen to this every day because I dont think it is funny, and I would appreciate it if you would stop." Essentially, you are an adult and you just tattled. He was not "picking on you." And if you truly felt he was, where was the part of the conversation where you stood up for yourself? That should be your go-to, not running to a supervisor. besides, that makes you look really unprofessional, too, supervisors have bigger fish to fry...
Also, as someone else pointed out: you picking apart his eating habits is just as rude, and if he shouldnt pay attention to what you eat, why are you even looking at his plate? thats none of YOUR business, either...0 -
I just tell them "you be mirin my body in sheddin season"0
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I would have just told him to leave me and my plain rice alone. No need to get someone else involved unless he still didn't stop..0
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"How about a nice hot cup of shut the f*&^k up?"
Yes :bigsmile: :drinker:0 -
Seems like an non issue to me. I used to eat tuna straight out of the can and always got comments from guys about putting mayo or something else in it. I always laughed and never once did it even ENTER my mind to go to a supervisor (could be because they were my subordinates already anyway). But still, he was probably flirting with you, or just trying to find ANYTHING to chat with you about.
This one goes in my "le sigh" category.0 -
You are the kind of person that destroys work environments and makes people miserable at work.
This is the kind of people our society is creating.... Everything is offensive, noone can take a joke or turn the other cheek.
From what I read this guy didnt even say anything wrong, if you didnt like his comments you should have said, "Do I have to listen to this every day because I dont think it is funny, and I would appreciate it if you would stop." Essentially, you are an adult and you just tattled. He was not "picking on you." And if you truly felt he was, where was the part of the conversation where you stood up for yourself? That should be your go-to, not running to a supervisor. besides, that makes you look really unprofessional, too, supervisors have bigger fish to fry...
Also, as someone else pointed out: you picking apart his eating habits is just as rude, and if he shouldnt pay attention to what you eat, why are you even looking at his plate? thats none of YOUR business, either...
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I just tell them "you be mirin my body in sheddin season"
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Just had a 2 hour bicker-fest with a couple coworkers who were getting all irritated that I didn't want a cupcake! I offered to give it to someone else, bring it home for my fiance, etc. and they wouldn't accept it. One even said, "I'm not eating one unless she [me] does, and you have to eat it here so I can make sure you eat it" Then they proceeded to make fun of me.
That's crazy. I'd just say, "well, I guess you don't get to eat one- what a shame". And where do they get off making fun of you?
I didn't realize how fortunate I am- I work in a department of very health-conscious people. One is vegetarian, one is gluten-free and won't eat any processed food or artificial ingredients, one has high cholesterol in her 20s (inherited) and is determined to stay off of statins- and the boss runs marathons. Nobody hassles anybody about what they eat or don't eat.
It must be harder for people who are overweight to put up with this- in my case, I'm close to my goal weight and my response would be, "this discipline is what got me to my goal weight and I'm not gonna mess with it now". I hope the rest of you get there soon- it's a pretty powerful argument!0
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