Scolded for asking nutrition facts

So last week I decided to join my parents and take my kids to dinner and ice cream. At the restaurant I asked for the nutrition menu they had so I could find something for myself. As I am on the phone with my mother today she told me that it was embarrasing and rude to ask. I guess I am to not care while I go out. It really stinks that they arent more supportive considering how hard I am working to make my life better.

Replies

  • Sorry to hear that...your mother must not have ever been in the position that you are where the nutrition facts are something we rely on to lose the weight, or to keep it off, or...crazy thought...just to stay healthy! Good for you for asking and sticking to your plan...that's why restaurants have nutrition menus, right ;)
  • strick1982
    strick1982 Posts: 75 Member
    Eh, that's not really important in the scheme of things. Your mom shouldn't have been embarrassed and you shouldn't presume that your parents aren't supportive over this one little issue. You keep asking for the nutrition facts, you're doing yourself good in that area.
  • gigglybeth
    gigglybeth Posts: 365 Member
    They must have a low-threshold for embarrassing. I have celiac disease and can't eat gluten, so I have to ask all kinds of questions about the food. Whenever I don't, it ends up bad, like when I ordered cinnamon ice cream with fruit thinking it would be gluten free only to have them put a huge freaking cookie right in the middle of it that wasn't listed on the menu.

    The servers usually don't care. Most realize the better they can answer your questions the better the tip is going to be.

    I know that they are your parents and it's hard, but just ignore them and keep doing what you are doing. It looks like it's working great for you! Plus you'll be a great example to YOUR kids!
  • engian
    engian Posts: 70 Member
    I say - good on ya! It is your right and prerogative to know what you are eating. One of our children is very sensitive to artificial food colors and flavorings so we ask everywhere we eat what the nutritional data is. It is particularly important with desserts and sweet treats - it's unbelievable what is in sweets and desserts that isn't found in nature. Some of our (extended) family had a hard time accepting our constant checking and asking, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

    Good for you!
  • clairedrose
    clairedrose Posts: 121 Member
    Oh boy, She doesn't know just how embarrassing some dinner partners can be :laugh: You just keep doing that. It is in no way rude. Now if you asked your mother for a nutritional menu at her house,she might have reason to complain.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    That's really weird for them to think it's embarrassing. I mean, first, it would depend on the restaurant. If it's large enough, they're obligated to provide that information anyway. Even if it's a small restaurant, asking if they have nutrition facts doesn't hurt - I suppose it would depend on the way you ask if it would be embarrassing or not.
  • SkinnyMsFitness
    SkinnyMsFitness Posts: 389 Member
    So last week I decided to join my parents and take my kids to dinner and ice cream. At the restaurant I asked for the nutrition menu they had so I could find something for myself. As I am on the phone with my mother today she told me that it was embarrasing and rude to ask. I guess I am to not care while I go out. It really stinks that they arent more supportive considering how hard I am working to make my life better.


    I'm sorry you endured this behavior!!! Truth: It's embarrassing your mother feels it's embarrassing.

    Is she unhappy with her weight? Many ppl IRL are rarely supportive, so please don't dwell on this. Just focus on you and how great you're feeling & looking!! ...Just another obstacle I KNOW you can overcome! =))
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Maybe mom was embarrassed because she felt guilty for not thinking of it herself?

    IDK, but good for you for asking. Restaurants hide extra calories in their food that you would never expect to find! (Check the veggie omelette at I-Hop as an example)
  • WildlyCurly
    WildlyCurly Posts: 151 Member
    Never feel ashamed for asking. You have every right to ask for what you want. You are the customer! It's not rude to ask, trust me. When I was a sous chef at a restaurant there were customers who had the balls to ask the ingredients in our sauces and meatballs because they said they wanted to make it at home. Once one of these rude people popped into the kitchen... Now that's rude. But you are certainly NOT rude. Something like nutrition is fine, you have every right to know the calories, and that kind of info. You won't always get an exact number, but you can get a close estimate. Cooks have access to kitchen tools, scales and I and along with the other cooks had smart phones so we could easily look these things up based on the weight and portion of the food.

    So, if you are ever out at a restaurant with your mother, you tell her this, and tell her what some crazy customers do, and compared to them asking about nutrition is really nothing. I am really upset that your mom thinks this is embarrassing, has she not seen what other people do? The others are right, your mom is probably intimidated and insecure by your health goals.
  • spade117
    spade117 Posts: 2,466 Member
    OMG!!! SABOTAGE!!!
  • LydsVille77
    LydsVille77 Posts: 126 Member
    Not that there's anything wrong with what you did... IMO its awesome. What I usually do... and not because i give a crap what people think but because it makes ordering quicker.. I research before I go out, assuming I know where were going. And before we even get there I've already decided what i'm having. This way I can budget for it AND not have to decipher charts and stuff while everyone is waiting for me to order. But keep up the awesome work!
  • Syriene
    Syriene Posts: 238
    I agree that this shouldn't have been embarrassing for her. However, if she continues to fuss at you and you want to continue going places with her, maybe check the resturant's website ahead of time. Most will list the nutrition info there.
  • mgore0404
    mgore0404 Posts: 65 Member
    I use to be a server at a family restaurant. I would always be frustrated at how many people asked for the nutrition menu because we didn't have one. I kept asking the owners to make one up for people to see and they never would. So I was frustrated at the owners mostly for not providing the facts for our customers, who by the way have every right to know what they are eating.

    I'm sorry you had to go through that, I was wondering, maybe next time if you know where you are going ahead of time you can look up the nutrition online maybe? That's just a thought. But you obviously have every right to ask for it!!! There is no reason why that should be embarrassing.
  • creech6317
    creech6317 Posts: 869 Member
    My daughter used to get embarrassed by me checking the nutritional info whenever we went out, but since I have been doing this for over a year now, she has actually started doing it herself. :drinker:
    She will find something and let me know that there are things that I will eat at so and so restaurant. It is really nice.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    If the restaurant had a nutrition menu, it could not possibly have been rude to ask.

    It wouldn't be rude to ask anyway, but your mom's behavior confuses me.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    You're mom is an oversensitive idiot.

    You're doing just fine- one should NEVER feel sorry about wanting to be more educated about the things you put in your body. EVER.

    shame on her.

    Keep doing what you are doing.
  • blueimp
    blueimp Posts: 230 Member
    Moms have a way of getting over those things. Soon she will realize that it's important to you and to your health (and your children's health). She may still feel embarassed, but she'll also stop talking about it (at least to you).
    I ask about ingredients all the time because of food allergies and sensitivities. It's my new normal.
    Keep doing what you're doing!
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    So last week I decided to join my parents and take my kids to dinner and ice cream. At the restaurant I asked for the nutrition menu they had so I could find something for myself. As I am on the phone with my mother today she told me that it was embarrasing and rude to ask. I guess I am to not care while I go out. It really stinks that they arent more supportive considering how hard I am working to make my life better.

    Tell her that someone you just met on the internet (me) asks for INGREDIENTS lists b/c I don't eat soy, wheat, or any grain, for that matter, and I'm really picky about my oils and preservatives and all that jazz... if asking for nutrition info is rude, I'd hate to see what I am. I ask for this b/c asking the server usually results in me eating stuff I don't want to eat - b/c they don't know. Most the time the cooks don't even know. I'll have the ingredients list, with a glass of unsweetened tea and a lemon, please. Thanks!

    PS it drives my husband absolutely bonkers, but I didn't lose 50 lbs and improve a whole other slew of health things by eating whatever was available. You won't either. Don't sweat it. Keep doing what you're doing.
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    When the information is available online, I review the menu ahead of time, pre-log something that fits, and order immediately like a boss. Makes me look so decisive and in control. :D

    When it's not... yeah, ask or estimate. My new favorite burger joint has a nutrition info sheet with everything broken down, including bread substitutions, condiments, extras and deletions. It's not posted anywhere, but I walked in and asked and they handed me a copy. Love the Habit. :)

    ETA: When I was dealing with food allergies and migraines, I had a very restricted diet. @OP, your mom would have crawled under the table while I peppered the waiter with all my questions!
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    You're an adult. Tell your mom to mind her own business.
  • Scubanana7
    Scubanana7 Posts: 361 Member
    Somestimes, Moms forget we grow up. I was almost 50 when my Mom passed, but she still tried to tell me what to do. Sometimes it made me angry, but then I would remember that I am her baby and would always be. I wish she was here to see my progress and my grandchildren/greatgrandchildren.

    Enough with the sad story. You Mom is your Mom. You can't change her. You can only change how you react to her. It took me 40 years to figure that out and I am happy to say that the last 8 years I had with her were more peacful. She became my best friend. Yes, sometimes she still said annoying things and I just reminded myself that her concern was always out of love and 'it is what it is'. My older sister, unfortunately, never got to that point. She had unnecessary friction with Mom until she died. :cry: \

    Yes, your Mom was being silly about being embarrassed. Some people just feel wierd when they feel undo attention is given to them in public. I am assuming that is what she meant. She is worried what the people will think about her and you. Just kindly tell her you don't want to embarrass her, but you are doing this for your health and for your children so you can be around a long time and be a great Mom. She may never get it...but don't argue about it or let it frustrate you. "it is what it is' Take care of YOU. If it really upsets her, then while she is finding a table, sitting the kids down, you go find a waiter and ask for the nutrition menu out of her sight. Or, just tell her this is the new you and ask her to be supportive.

    Good luck with continued weight loss!
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Hmmm! Strange! Well, be respectful to your mom. But I would say that is not something to be embarrassed about. Oh well! Move on...
  • rosej31
    rosej31 Posts: 189 Member
    Take it in one ear and out the other....This is 2013 who doesn't ask for nutrition facts when they go out...
  • MommaSherryB
    MommaSherryB Posts: 79 Member
    I think some women are from the old school and don't like to ask for things or cause any waves. My Mom tried to keep peace a lot. Moms can drive you nuts, but honestly when they see us getting healthier it seems foreign to them. Change scares some people. It really has nothing to do with you at all. Keep doing whatever you need to do to keep reaching your goals without worrying what other think...even Mom. You may be pleasantly surprised after a while to see her follow suit.