Eating healthy turned me into a food snob

Lupercalia

I really can't stand the know it all food nazi attitude. If you want to silently judge other's choices, go for it...though I think you could probably put your brain to better use. However, if you want to express your dietary beliefs/judgements aloud, I will verbally cut you.

I have a bunch of annoying health problems which include food sensitivities, and I eat a mostly "paleo" diet by default. The paleo and primal communities, much like the veggie/vegan communities (was also a member of this group for 20 yrs), are full of self-appointed and totally self-righteous food police types. They greatly disturb me. Always have, always will.

Vailara

I don't think it's really happened to me, but I'm a bit of an "everything in moderation" person, and my intake isn't "perfect" either. I think some food snobbery is misinformed too (I'm not talking about the OP here, just in general), particularly the idea that things are somehow automatically healthier and better if you make them at home rather than buy them prepared with much the same ingredients. And I also don't like the moral tone. You're not a better person because you eat whole grains, or a worse person because you eat McDonalds.

But maybe it HAS happened to me, and I haven't noticed! It's not so much the type of food, but I have felt envious when I see people eating big portions, or not having to think about what they eat. I'm surrounded by slim people (I don't know anybody else who is obese) so I feel a bit of an oddity.

paulperryman

I've found myself gently criticizing others now too not out of malice or distain but to impart what i'm learning on this journey especially people that would always criticize me b4 i went alot healthier and still do, despite the obvious evidence thats it working
Most noteably the calorie counting and eating or not eating exercise calories, getting that criticism by people that are also trying to lose weight and failing to doing it "there way".

When it comes down to it tho i could care less what they eat and drink and don't make go all nazi on them, aslong as i'm doing the right thing by me thats all that matters, if they want to consider other options then bonus.

Nutella91

oh gosh don't get me wrong but i f***ing hate food snobs!
the fact that you're eating all organic doesn't make you any better person than someone who is surviving on Mc Donald's! (not talking about you, just in general)
the worst are those who think like, "well I am eating healthy and that skinny ***** can get away with donuts now yes, but she will have a heart attack, and I am gonna be so healthy, my organic spinach will make me live 100 years!"
P.S. I'm sorry I get a little hysterical when around food snobs.

zillah73

Hmmm... honestly, the only person I care if I eat healthier than is myself a few years ago and even then I don't judge myself. I had my reasons for eating the way I did and I had reasons for changing. I can't fault myself for the path I've taken. I try to just keep my eyes on my own page.

That said, I do have some judgmental moments when I see people feeding their children poorly. I used to have a friend who ran her kid through the drive-thru twice a day then gave him jimmy dean breakfast sandwiches or frozen corn dogs for dinner every night. The poor kid had zero variety in his diet, zero fresh fruits or vegetables. I felt – still feel – it is tantamount to child abuse. Adults can choose to eat whatever they like, but children don't have that option and it just makes me sad to see.

chaoticgeek

I'm totally the same way. Give me rich high quality dark chocolate instead of chalky fake milk chocolate any day! I love eating real food! I am naturally judgmental as well and when I'm on the path of healthy eating and fitness I tend to forget that we all have our weaknesses and struggles.

I was like that way before. Good quality chocolate tastes like magic compared to something like a Hershey's bar. Nice rich 75%-80% dark chocolate with a bit of orange or chili is awesome. And with fruit dipped in chocolate as high as you can go to me is the best.

iceey

I understand what you mean OP. While I don't preach or lecture anyone, I do find myself noticing what other people eat and have an urge to educate them. I was in a mall yesterday and all I saw in the food court were people eating poutine and fried foods and I wanted to say something.

And drives me crazy when my boyfriend stuffs his face with what ever food he can find when he's starving from not eating all day. He has terrible eating habits and he should know better. But it's not right to lecture him so I try not to!

I don't like that I feel more snobby now that I eat healthier. But everyone has to find their own way, and I still eat junk sometimes, so no one is perfect. Just have to remind myself of that sometimes.

MrsTomko3825

Well I can't say I haven't been guilty of similar feelings towards others. Here is some food for thought: I have learned that when you are kind and loving and compassionate towards yourself, it is also easier to be that way towards others. Are you extremely strict with yourself and do you beat yourself up when you eat something you "shouldn't"? Those feelings of beating yourself up and not being able to forgive yourself or at least to accept where you are in your fitness journey could be manifesting themselves when you look at others. Recently I've been learning to love my body how it is now. When you love something, you take care of it right? So even though I have learned to love my body now, I am working to improve it BECAUSE I love it. Since I have accepted my current self and position, I have been much more open and accepting of others. I look at others that I would have judged before and say, hey that's ok, that's just where they are right now. I hope that they do what makes them happy. (No I'm not a saint and I still have moments of harsh judgement and weakness but I really think kindness to yourself and others is key). Good luck! :-)

cwolfman13

I've always been a food snob...I've always enjoyed quality when it comes to my food, even my "junk" food. The biggest change for me is that I crave more nutrient dense foods now and don't crave all of the sugar as much.

JeSuisPrest

Yes!!! Me too. Especially when it comes to fast food or processed packaged foods......Ewwwwwww!! I try hard to not make faces about it, and often have to bite my tongue!

Julesbait

Generally, I don't. Because I know I used to be the person who used to eat crap all the time, and I know how hard it is to change.

The exception being a woman I work with who has diabetes, and she eats 2 candy bars, chips, and crap all day long. I judge the hell out of her. (But I also can't stand her. So...)

sydneybugg

I feel the same way!!! Especially when I see someone that is definitely overweight at walmart putting three bags of chips and a bunch of soda in their cart, and here I am with my broccoli and bananas. I feel horrible for even thinking about it, because I know I use to be that person in walmart with a cart full of horrible food. Sometimes I just really want to pull the person to the side and educate them on food choices, but I know it's not my place.

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mhorn2142

Unfortunately I too have noticed this. And my poor husband gets the brunt of it. Even my 12 yr. old step son has said something to the affect that since I have lost so much weight I sure seem overly concerned with how the hubby eats. Now that I have found what works for me I find I want to share it with others and often it is unwelcomed because it is unsolicited. I hate this about myself. For goodness sakes I am the same as them why should I have anything to say at all? It really should be none of my business. That's it as of today, no more. I don't like that person. I can gain it all back at the drop of a hat!! I will not judge!!

mq68

I don't judge... but get judged ALL THE TIME... why? well, I have lost 80+lbs in 11 months and because of that and my weird eating habits everyone has advice! It is so ANNOYING! I am allergic to a bunch of stuff so I have to read every single label and figure out what is "added" to some of the packaged stuff! So I eat very healthy but it annoys some of my co-workers to the point where they say they made me something and to just try it. NOPE won't do it. But I always say thanks... think that's the Minnesota nice.. dang it when I want to say... *(&)_$&)* ... but I don't. I just smile and say thank you!

GoNicoleee

That happened to me when I lost weight the first time. I kind of got over obsessed with what I was putting in my body and was grossed out by what other people were putting in their bodies, even if it was simply putting butter on bread. I was overconsumed by that disgust and even had an eating disorder over it. Once you start eating healthy, you'll probably always feel that way, but just know you're doing the right thing and prolonging your life while they're probably eating their days away with 2 donuts and a bagel in one sitting... yaknow?

patriciasimmons12

I do eat things that are considered by some junk food but I make most of my goodies at home so I have as much control as possible over what goes into my body. I see nothing wrong with a brownie every now and then or a small piece of cake. I do excersize portion control and I do my best to stay around my 1300 calories a day. I know people will disagree but I did stay away from everything at one time. I kept my carbs at less than 50 a day and ended up with some real problems. I also found out that if I don't allow myself a treat once in a while I will go overboard in one sitting.

SarahDavs

I used to be very judgmental toward people who would eat meat in front of me. I was born and raised a vegetarian and didn't start eating meat until my 8th month of pregnancy with my first son at 19. Now I laugh about how ridiculous I was to make judgements on people for something SO TRIVIAL as what they are eating.

cityjaneLondon

I am the worst food snob of all time. Even when I was overweight I ate good, home cooked food, just too much of it! I have to really paste a smile on my face when I go to family parties and see the mountains of food people are stuffing down them. And then going outside to smoke. I feel self righteous and sad all at the same time. Do I feel good about these feelings? No I do not. Who wants to feel distanced from those they love? I shut up and pretend I'm quite at ease, but a nasty little voice inside me is judging like mad. I wish I wasn't like this, but I know I am judgemental in many areas. I also know how easy it is for me to fall right back off the wagon and undo all my hard work in a flash. I've done it at least twice before. Perhaps that's what I'm afraid of and that keeps me mean and horrible. Oh well, as long as no one knows what's going on inside my head. . .

pumpkinspice84

I don't really focus on what other people are eating. I do feel snobby about what I eat though. I have been feeling so much better about making better choices. I am not perfect far from it and still learning new ways to make better choices. I am mostly concerned about my own health and my families than other people.

tifferz_91

I wouldn't say eating healthy has turned me into a "food snob" per se.

But it has definitely made me into an organic non-gmo health nut :laugh:

I really think i suffer from "orthorexia" at times. Which i personally don't think is a "bad" thing *shrug*


At the end of the day, my only concerns are:

● MY choices

● MY mouth

● MY health

wheird

It is called being smug. I love it when people try to critique my food. They always spout broscience, which I quickly shoot down.

speedy740

I am in the same boat as the thread starter. I feel bad but I am very judgemental now. I just hate when people that are eating a bad meal and complaining about not being able to lose weight. I want to shake em' and give them
a mirror. They say they are trying but one minute later ordering dessert????

DeeDeeMee

Definitely, although I try really hard not to show it. My Mum has always been a health freak and I was with her in Costco one day when she told some poor woman that her Hershey's topping was 'poison' and I am determined never to do that to anyone!

Mostly I find that my snobbery affects what I eat myself. There's a lot of things I used to eat that just taste like chemicals to me now - because that's pretty much what they are! Although when I see someone scarfing down a big mac and giant fries while they drive down the street my judgementalism tends to rear its ugly head. I just try to remember that those people need our sympathy and support. When people struggle with food issues there's usually an emotional undercurrent that needs to be addressed.

PinkNinjaLaura

I'm coming at this from the other direction - I kind of hope people in the grocery store are judging what's in my cart. When I'm tempted to buy junk food I imagine running into one of a handful of people who I know will look in my cart and judge. It makes me happy to get to the checkout counter knowing it would all pass inspection.

TeaSVG

I feel like this is slowly starting to happen to me, too. I'm consciously trying to lose weight for the first time ever. My boyfriend was overweight a few years ago and lost a lot (before we got together), and since we've been together, he's put on a few pounds. I'm very overweight, so it's kind of sad and funny when I start judging him (internally) about his bad diet... who do I think I am!? But, his weight loss has helped to inspire me, and I don't want to see him fall off the horse. I would love him no matter what the scale says, but I've been relying on his success to help me find mine.

Also, I'm curious about the grocery basket spying thing. I wonder if I could go to the store, spot someone peeking at my basket and ask them to help me shop. Would they feel fulfilled that they finally get to play out their thoughts? I mean this sincerely, I'm not above asking for help. It was a lack of knowledge and self-control that got me here, so I'll take all the help I can get!

chrisdavey

The more you understand about flexible dieting, the less judgemental you will be.

supermuslimgirl

I love "junk food" but the healthy kind like chocolate chip cookie dough dip but it is made with chick peas.

or a frosting shot witch is sinfully delicious I loved the site chocolate covered Katie.


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mmipanda

ahh yes, in the sense that i don't like a lot of foods i used to eat. I never ever crave 2 min noodles or hot dogs these days. can't remember the last time i ate either of those tbh.

but in the way OP used it as a way of judging others? noap. people can eat what they want, it doesnt affect what i think of them.

HollisGrant

Just wondering if anybody has experienced this/noticed this in themselves since changing the way they eat. I used to eat some of the worst stuff, sweets whenever I wanted them, yknow. but now that I don't since I realized how bad my eating habits were affecting me, I tend to judge other people's. I think that unfortunately I just tend to be judgemental, which is one of my worst qualities, but when I see someone eating something that I wouldn't, sometimes I almost feel superior to them and I kind of hate it. I would never say anything, I know it's none of my business, but I definitely pay attention to what other people eat more than I used to. Like the other day I saw someone eat a bagel and 2 donuts from dunkin donuts in 10 minutes and just kind of stared. I definitely don't like this change (because I don't want to be a health snob, I want to be accepting of whatever people want to do) but I'm just wondering if you guys have done the same? Maybe I'm just jealous because I subconsciously want to eat a box of donuts. I dont know lol.

No, not a food snob here. I eat mostly healthy food (lentils with a little brown rice and vegetables), but joked with an overweight friend today about what I was eating... and she joked back and called me a Lentil Head. I would LOVE to eat some donuts and bagels, but stay away because I can't control myself and would plow through the whole tray (plus the calories are too many to easily work off).

Life is too short to be a snob about anything.