Why do people criticise clean eaters/healthy lifestyles.

I get a lot of the same from some people on the same course as me at Uni!

I eat a lot of quality food, bring it to lectures in tupperware boxes and have that for lunch, when everyone else goes to the pub and orders burgers and hotdogs - and im the 'weird' one who eats properly and isn't skinny-fat or just plain fat.

It irritates me when those people also call my lunches boring or too expensive! - I'd love to know what is boring about Brown rice, with peas, scrambled egg and bbq marinated chicken, or how it's expensive, compared to the £6 burger and £3 pint of cider with it that all my coursemates have!

I'm hearing you loud and clear.

I often get told that I don't eat normally.

The only time it bothers me is when I go out to dinner and get treated as an out cast for what I choose to order because I don't eat red meat or chicken.

Now I've just learnt to ignore all the critics.

Well, let's face it: "normal" in American culture means eating a lot of junk and not caring about how many calories are there, what's in the food, etc. I think this is especially the case in the social circles and families of formerly overweight or trying to become normal weight people like me. I had overweight family and followed their eating patterns...I gravitated toward overweight friends who shared my avoidance of exercise and love of pizza. Even my job is a sedentary job populated by brainy types like me, who would rather read a book than ride a bike. Now I'm trying to change myself in the midst of this, and I have to go against the grain, not just fighting my own tendencies but being different than those around me. If you are going to eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight though, you have to be a bit "abnormal" and pay attention to some things others don't. Like reading product labels, measuring portions, avoiding or minimizing certain foods, tracking intake. I eat healthy, lots of veggies, became vegetarian about a year ago, and I got a lot of comments at first, especially about the vegetarian part. Some outright rude. But once people adjusted to it, they eventually let it drop.

I have seen changes over time....Now people tell me I am inspiring, how they want to eat better too, etc. Ask me questions about how.

In my case I've been careful not to talk about my eating, only when asked about it. I don't comment or appear to notice what others eat. I don't evangelize or say negative things about food my friends like or make an outward show of measuring/tracking/scrutinizing my food unless there is a reason (eg, asking the waiter if the beans were cooked with pork). No inconveniencing others by expecting them to accommodate or change for me. I just do my thing and try to be a good example without preaching. If there is a potluck, I don't insist on healthy food...I just bring some to share. I don't tell others to exercise...I might ask if they'd like to join me on a walk, to chat and get some fresh air. These things are generally well received.

I believe my approach has let to people around me being more supportive, because my diet doesn't affect them or make them feel like I am judging them. I just live my life and appear happy with my food and they can see the results from looking at me.

If you are continually getting a lot of negative comments, ask yourself if you are coming across in a way that could explain this. Do you outwardly display your disgust at their diet, making them feel judged? Are you "evangelizing" in a way that makes you seem obsessed? Have you made a radical change that has changed your personality in ways that make people want the old you back because the new you is preoccupied with food and physical perfection? Do you measure and weigh and log and scrutinize everything you eat in front of them, appear to be anxious about eating something "bad" or having a perfect diet, or act anxious about food not being right, so that you are giving off a " disordered eating" vibe? If so, maybe they are telling you something you need to hear.

If none of these are the case, then just hang in there and let your results speak for themselves. Could be that you just have people around you who don't share your priorities in this regard and they will need to adjust. You might need to be assertive to let them know that critique of your diet is not okay.

^^ Can we refrain from assuming we are all American...thanks I am from New Zealand for a start and that other guy used pounds as his currency.

I find in the country i live in it's actually a bit more encouraged, we are a little hippy I think, but I do get the "aww one plate of hot chips won't hurt." or the "Come on fish n chips on the beach, it's a kiwi tradition bro!" But if people know you are trying to eat clean they applaud it for the most part as long as you don't seem obsessive.

"Clean eating" is a vague term that tends to get thrown around by people trying to make it sound like their lifestyle is "better" than everyone elses. Since eating clean is rarely defined the same way by any two people claiming to do it, it gets annoying. Therefore, people make fun of it. Even your title tries to suggest that clean eating is the same thing as a healthy lifestyle.

Anyone who claims that his or her way of doing things is THE way to live is inherently wrong and deserves ridicule.

For the most part, everyone thinks they're eating properly and "clean" for the most part. When you eat in a different way, they think it's wrong. That's human nature. They insinuate you're too strict for the same reason you insinuate they're uneducated in the subject.

I like to look at it as an opportunity. Let's face it - eating healthy is obsessive - from their perspective. Eating the way you do WILL be noticed. And most people do what most people do and criticize those who don't. And actually, I'm not sure it's criticism in most cases. So stand up and proudly proclaim that you aren't normal. You're living better than normal and they should too!

Perhaps it is not so much how you eat, but the attitude you project to others. Obviously, I don't know you or how your interactions are with others, but in your post, you said "I'm not obsessive, just educated" at one point. Comments like that can be divisive. While you may have meant "I've done research on food and nutrition and found that for my own personal body and my health issues, these style of eating is optimal for me and me only," other people may interpret it along the lines of "if you weren't such an uneducated ignoramus blindly following the herd, you'd eat this way too." You also talked about the improvements you've seen to your health since switching your diet, but depending on how you word it, it can come across as the only way people could possibly see these improvements is if they eat the way you do. Sure, they might be reading more into your statements based on their own personal biases or feelings, but you might also not being communicating your thoughts in an effective way that makes your position (this is my thing and my thing only, not an example of what everyone should do) clear and leave them to infer that you think they are unhealthy for not eating the same way.

My advice is to not make a big deal about it (not saying you do, again, I don't know you) and if people bring it up, don't get defensive about it. Just say that you've found this way of eating works well for you and your lifestyle. If they persist, ask them how something that doesn't affect them in any way is any of their business, and point out that you don't question their eating style or food choices because you respect their decisions as an intelligent, independent adult. If they still continue, simply tell them you've already given them an answer and the matter is not up for further discussion, then walk away.

Remember that it's not necessarily about clean eating or healthy lifestyles, some people just feel a need to stick their noses into other people's business and share their opinions no matter what the topic. Don't make assumptions that they are jealous, threatened, etc, because that is just as bad as them assuming that you are eating a certain way because you are obsessive, controlling, have body issues, etc.

Perhaps it is not so much how you eat, but the attitude you project to others. Obviously, I don't know you or how your interactions are with others, but in your post, you said "I'm not obsessive, just educated" at one point. Comments like that can be divisive. While you may have meant "I've done research on food and nutrition and found that for my own personal body and my health issues, these style of eating is optimal for me and me only," other people may interpret it along the lines of "if you weren't such an uneducated ignoramus blindly following the herd, you'd eat this way too."

Yes, this. Insinuating stuff about education etc. is just plain unecessary. It doesn't create an inviting and non-judgmental atmosphere at all.

Because a lot of clean eaters are preachy. It's like why people criticise the religious, or vegetarians. A lot of people who undergo a certain big lifestyle shift feel the need to convert others under the label of "educate". I like everyone, so long as they keep their opinions away from my throat.

While the style of eating is often critiqued, and sometimes mocked, it is typically the underlying superiority complex that many have, as evidenced by several posts in this thread, that is castigated.

I eat the exact same way and I feel good about myself as well! People are just jealous or insecure about their own bad eating habits so they may make comments or not understand or try to persuade you to eat the crap they are eating. Misery loves company! Be strong and just ignore them or distance yourselves from negative people.

I try not to talk about my healthy eating habits or persuade others to eat that way unless they ask and genuinely want to know. There's no reason to. I feel happy, healthy, more balanced, and in control of my eating which is a good thing! You are putting nutritious foods into your body! No need to be ashamed of that! Just smile and know that you are doing something right. You don't need other's approval.

I get that, and don't care, as they eat their big mac. I eat healthy for me not them.

Most people I come in contact with don't criticize me at all. But in the past the ones who did were usually women I was either involved with or trying to get involved with. They felt insecure as if I were going to judge what THEY ate because of the way I eat and workout. Even though I don't judge anyone. But I guess it's an insecure thing. Next woman I date will either need to be very secure or also very into fitness.

People are calling you extreme? IMO, whether or not you are extreme depends on

1. Whether or not you look down upon other people who do not eat like you do.
and
2. Whether you have a sustainable relationship with food that does not cause you mental duress.

If you are doing one of those things, reevaluate.
If you are doing neither of those things, don't worry about what anyone else says.

Edited for clarity.