How to let your family know you don't eat processed food?

Eat within your calorie goals so you don't gain weight...

Okay, so on my dad's side of the family, they're not very wealthy or anything so they just get processed food for everything. I've been staying down here for two weeks and I have yet to eat something that's not from a box/jar/can. I haven't eaten ANY fresh vegetables or fruit and I'm feeling really sick. Usually I eat as healthily as I can, but here there isn't one thing healthy. I can feel myself getting sick and I've already gained weight. But I don't want to be a hassle and be "picky" about my food or so they call it. What should I do? Should I just leave and go back home and shorten my visit?

Get in the car or on your own two feet, go to the store, get the food you want and make/eat it.

I'm dealing with the same exact thing except I don't have an option to move back home.

Religiously weigh/measure your food and make sure you stay within your calorie goal and macros. Vegetables really aren't expensive so maybe you could go buy some?

Go shopping, buy the ingredients, and cook a meal for everyone. Show them how it's done.

+1. "Guys, I really appreciate you taking care of me while I'm down here. I thought tonight I'd give you a break and I'd cook something!" Or just show up with the food and start taking over the kitchen (works for my mom's side of the family).

For the rest of the visit, realize that some of that weight is probably water weight from all the sodium in the packaged food, and cut your portions back a smidge if you think it's real weight gain. If they pre-plate for you, you'll have to get artful at pushing food around while murmuring "oh it's so delicious, but I'm soooooo full..." followed by a post dinner walk to the store to get some fruit or something. :P

People also aren't too fond of very early morning walks, I've found, so if I need to slip out and grab some more substantial food from the grocery store, no one will ever offer to accompany me at 6:30-7 am. If your grocery store isn't open that early, well, at least walking is extra exercise to help burn the extra calories?

Unless you're picking food off the plant itself then it has some sort of process to get it to where you are. Unless you're eating tons of fried foods or sweets you're not going to get fat. All that really matters is that you eat within your calorie goals.

You won't get sick eating processed foods unless you have celiac disease or some other pre existing condition. You get sick from bacteria or virus invasions in your body.

If you're old enough to have a bit of money, make a dinner for everyone with cheap but healthy ingredients and show them it's possible. Or ask them to grab a few things for you on the grocery list, like canned fruit/veggies if they won't get fresh.

I see that you're 18 and I don't know your financial situation, but If you can buy some healthier stuff, go get it. Perhaps you can cook a meal of your choice for the family? If not, try to eat within your calorie goal to not gain weight. Drink a lot of water to help flush the sodium that's in that stuff.
I know that if I eat processed food now, I get constipated and belly pain is no fun, especially when you're used to eating healthier. It's mainly because of the fat content and lack of fiber in the crappier food. If that's your problem, maybe suggest tacos? Who doesn't eat tacos? Mexican food usually does the job. Or lurk in the medicine cabinet and see if there are any fiber pills... I doubt they'd have any though.
If you can't get relief, or get them to buy some healthier stuff, I'd go home!
Good luck!

Unless you're picking food off the plant itself then it has some sort of process to get it to where you are. Unless you're eating tons of fried foods or sweets you're not going to get fat. All that really matters is that you eat within your calorie goals.

You won't get sick eating processed foods unless you have celiac disease or some other pre existing condition. You get sick from bacteria or virus invasions in your body.

This is basically what I'm thinking.

Unless you only eat raw foods, you are regularly eating processed foods; cooking is technically processing. Processed food on its own isn't going to make you sick. You're just missing the way you usually eat. Drink some extra water to help flush the sodium out of your system.

If you have the means to cut the visit short then you should have the means to go to the store and buy your own food. Offer to cook a meal and/or supplement meals with some bagged salad greens, a steamed vegetable, etc.

ETA: If you don't have funds to buy the ingredients needed to cook a meal, ask your dad for the money. Tell him you want to thank them by cooking them your favorite meal but will need some help to buy the ingredients. Don't go all crazy on what you spend, make it something relatively cheap but fresh and healthy. Perhaps you'll give them a new meal they like to make on their own after you've left.

Clean eating is just a fad anyway, eat within calories and nothing bad will happen to you!

If I were you, I'd probably go buy some fresh foods and make up some salad and other dishes to eat and share with everyone. I'd eat a big portion of fresh food at each meal and have a bit of what they're serving as well. If you're feeling ill, maybe it's less about the processed food in and of itself and more about a simple lack of dietary balance.

Preach.

Go shopping, buy the ingredients, and cook a meal for everyone. Show them how it's done.

This. I can totally understand how you're feeling. Anyone that is saying just eat within your calorie range and don't worry about it is so wrong and doesn't understand how their body works. All the processed/boxed junk is so bad for us and doesn't contribute anything to our bodies. Losing weight and eating more healthily(is that a word?, lol) is WAY more then staying within a calorie goal.

I would let them know that you are feeling like crap because of the processed junk and make some meals for them. Or if they absolutely won't have anything to do with it, I'd get my own stuff and make some meals for myself or at the very least some more nutritious sides.

Clean eating is just a fad anyway, eat within calories and nothing bad will happen to you!

How dare you!!



edit for more angry faces.

Go shopping, buy the ingredients, and cook a meal for everyone. Show them how it's done.

This. I can totally understand how you're feeling. Anyone that is saying just eat within your calorie range and don't worry about it is so wrong and doesn't understand how their body works. All the processed/boxed junk is so bad for us and doesn't contribute anything to our bodies. Losing weight and eating more healthily(is that a word?, lol) is WAY more then staying within a calorie goal.

I would let them know that you are feeling like crap because of the processed junk and make some meals for them. Or if they absolutely won't have anything to do with it, I'd get my own stuff and make some meals for myself or at the very least some more nutritious sides.

:huh:

How is losing weight more than staying within your calories. We're also talking about a visit, not an address change.

I see on your profile you are 18 years old. I have twin girls that are 18 and they don't always have the means or money to get to the store let alone shop for their own food. If this is the case for you I would cut way back on my portions and drink LOTS of water. If they ask you what's wrong then tell them you are trying to eat more fresh fruits and veggies and less processed food. As far as the people telling you that you aren't really sick after eating this stuff.... well, they've never had a tummy ache after they've restricted their diet I guess. I know after I cut back and stopped drinking regular soda and sweet tea I can't drink one now without spending the next couple hours in the restroom. Everyone's body is different but I know my body can't handle the change.
Good Luck!!