Something my niece said
ladyfyre13
Posts: 37
My niece was sitting at the table today (age 10) and said that she tried not to eat too much fat because it makes you fat. Fat makes you fat. The other people at the table agreed with this. I, of course said it wasn't true, that fat does not make you fat.
Well, the looks I got were horrendous. I am obese and even though I am losing weight on the paleo diet, it will be a long time until someone looks at me and says "You look great - what are you doing." So the looks said: What the hell does she know about losing weight? and of course they all agreed that "of course fat makes you fat."
I shut up at this point and didn't add anything else to the conversation.
These are the same people who consume: heart healthy margarine, processed cheese, chicken burgers that are partially made from soy and other fillers, diet pop, no sugar fake maple syrup loaded with aspartame - I asked for olive oil to cook with and mom produced some little vial of olive oil drops for cuts and scrapes.
Is there a good way to change opinions on foods? Or do I let my future results speak for themselves? I don't live that close so I only visit once every 4-6 wks. Eating there is torture. If I say that I will cook for myself, it is seen as such an inconvenience or pain for mom.
Well, the looks I got were horrendous. I am obese and even though I am losing weight on the paleo diet, it will be a long time until someone looks at me and says "You look great - what are you doing." So the looks said: What the hell does she know about losing weight? and of course they all agreed that "of course fat makes you fat."
I shut up at this point and didn't add anything else to the conversation.
These are the same people who consume: heart healthy margarine, processed cheese, chicken burgers that are partially made from soy and other fillers, diet pop, no sugar fake maple syrup loaded with aspartame - I asked for olive oil to cook with and mom produced some little vial of olive oil drops for cuts and scrapes.
Is there a good way to change opinions on foods? Or do I let my future results speak for themselves? I don't live that close so I only visit once every 4-6 wks. Eating there is torture. If I say that I will cook for myself, it is seen as such an inconvenience or pain for mom.
0
Replies
-
I'd be tempted to say 'fat is delicious & nutritious, its sugar that makes you fat!'
Then if you have to elaborate, just say that highly processed sugar & additive-packed foods are a hell of a lot worse for you than eating the fatty bit of your steak.
BUT also I know its hard to talk about something like that when everyone is obviously judging your opinion based on your weight.0 -
In my experience, even seeing the results in front of them may not be enough to make them question conventional wisdom. I'm right on the line between obese/overweight and am the smallest I've ever been in my adult life. I eat bacon and eggs for breakfast - at work - just about every day. One day I was extolling the virtues of starting the day with bacon and coffee to a coworker, who commented that he wasn't allowed to eat bacon at home because it was bad for you. I commented that I'd lost (at the time) over 40 lbs. eating bacon every day, and my lab results were perfect. No comment...at all.
*sigh*
I have been known to leave paleo-friendly propaganda lying around, though, and since I'm responsible for updating the Safety & Wellness bulletin boards...
0 -
I would just move on. Lose what you want and yes, make your own food at their house. When they ask how you did it. Just say you changed your paradigm about food. And then don't say any more.0
-
I have tried countless times to explain why I eat the way that I do, and even though I have had great results, people still look at me like I'm crazy. Just let them continue on their path and eventually they may come around and see the light. As for your meals, either cook them before hand and take them with you, or take everything you need and make it there. Don't let their remarks stop you. Thankfully my parents understand why I eat the way that I do, and no one says a word when I show up with my own food.0
-
I've found that my food choices are easier for others to handle if I just say I'm avoiding grains, because doing so makes me feel better, and I'd prefer to fill up on tasty veggies and meat than bread.
For the particular conversation you had, you could also point out that fat is required for the body to absorb certain nutrients, and that the brain is made of fat and cholesterol.
Or, you could be snarky and respond to the "fat makes you fat" comments with "if that's the case, why are the highest obesity rates in the wake of the low-fat era?" (That will, of course, require more than spewing myth to get around, even if "getting around" is pointing out that fat consumption hasn't actually gone down, but then that points out that people have been eating more, which is the underlying cause of obesity in the general population.)0 -
It's funny, and sad.
I'm not fat. I'm not overweight.
My sister is.
I can't get my sister to eat avocado "because it has so much fat".
She's convinced that her jenny craig pop tart is better.
I've tried to explain it to her. But jenny craig knows better. She pays them to.0 -
Also a good point. We aren't fatter because we eat more fat. We're fatter because we're eating enormous amounts of pre-digested carbs.I've found that my food choices are easier for others to handle if I just say I'm avoiding grains, because doing so makes me feel better, and I'd prefer to fill up on tasty veggies and meat than bread.
For the particular conversation you had, you could also point out that fat is required for the body to absorb certain nutrients, and that the brain is made of fat and cholesterol.
Or, you could be snarky and respond to the "fat makes you fat" comments with "if that's the case, why are the highest obesity rates in the wake of the low-fat era?" (That will, of course, require more than spewing myth to get around, even if "getting around" is pointing out that fat consumption hasn't actually gone down, but then that points out that people have been eating more, which is the underlying cause of obesity in the general population.)
If I said that on the main boards, I'd be faced with an angry mob.0 -
I'm the leanest I've been since high school (at 19% BF) and people still look at me funny when I say I don't believe fat makes you fat--while I'm cooking my bacon and eggs. I think they believe I'm just this magical special snow flake and what works for me can't possibly work for them.
I do workout quite a bit too, so I'm sure they also justify it that way. But I don't workout any more than I did 5 months ago, but I'm 10 lbs lighter and much more defined. Go figure.0 -
sign how society has been brainwashed into thinking that way, it was imbedded into our brains for so long and now new research has proven this is not always the case... I eat more fat now than I ever did and haven't gained any weight .0
-
Your results will scream the truth. So stick with it. Unfortunately, most people will not accept the truth, no matter how obvious. But a few will, and that's important.
I think it is terribly sad that your neice has well established habits that will destroy her health later on. Shame on those people. She's already avoiding natural saturated fats and she NEEDS those to develop into a healthy young woman. You could "gift" her parents some books, just for fun. Such as "Primal Body, Primal Mind" by Nora Gedgaudas and Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natascha Campbell-McBride. I could also suggest "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes but that might be beyond their comprehension. Gift, and say nothing.
Even if everyone believes the lie, it is still a lie.
PS: try some tough love. Refuse to eat there or mention that if you come you will be bringing your own food and don't be afraid to say: "the highly processed foods that you choose to eat makes me sick".0 -
Definitely a hard situation, and I’m sorry you have to deal with it. You’ve got some really great ideas on here, tho!
Stick to your guns when you’re eating there. Bring your own olive oil. Heck, bring a bunch of bacon and eggs and offer to make everyone a really awesome breakfast :-)
I really like the idea of gifting them some books, too. There might be some awkwardness if you straight up give them only a couple primal/paleo friendly books, so maybe try mixing them in with some fun things like almond flour or coconut flour? Or maybe a little ‘Cookie-in-a-jar’ thing that has ingredients like either the almond or coconut flour and stuff like cacao nibs. Ya know, yummy stuff!
You could also toss out something like ‘Yes, eating low-fat is how I got to where I am today. So it’s obviously time to try something different, right?!’
Good luck!!0 -
Thanks for all your replies. next time I go to visit (a few months maybe), I am going to plan better and take all of my own food. My niece is not fat but I worry about the persistent idea that my family has about food. Up until about 2 months ago I was living under that same rock. I KNOW that process food and grains got me to where I am. I am obese.
I ate some of the same foods my family ate this weekend and guess what - I got a migraine. It's pretty obvious to me that my body is rejecting that crap. I will continue to eat a healthy paleo diet not only because it makes me feel better, but because I am losing weight. Sure it's hard to shop or eat out, but the extra effort is worth it.0 -
I would definitely advise not even trying to crusade for paleo. People ask me what I've done to lose all the weight and such, but even their eyes glaze over when you tell them "no bread" or "no pasta". I still haven't figured out a way to break through and I came up with what I thought were some very logical points but people are still dogmatic about their food intake.
Usually, now, when people start discussing food with me, I contemptuously say that I'm paleo and, with body-language, make it clear I have very little desire of explaining mysel,f and what "paleo" means. I'm not a "people-person"...0 -
I was really surprised how hostile people can get if you suggest they give up bread/pasta. I had that experience with a friend recently. It was really weird.
I guess before I tried it I couldn't even imagine how it would be possible or how I'd survive. I ate a lot of bread and pasta. Funny, I rarely miss it. And if I really want it, I eat some. And then I'm bloated. And then I realize besides being leaner, I also have less gas when I skip the wheat. :happy:0
