So, I married an Italian

I grew up with Italians on one side and Jews on the other. I have no tips except to just keep saying no until they stop.

And keep in mind, while they're pushing that food at you, the second you gain an ounce, they're going to start telling you you're too fat. And then offer you a cookie. And insist you eat it.

And keep in mind, while they're pushing that food at you, the second you gain an ounce, they're going to start telling you you're too fat. And then offer you a cookie. And insist you eat it.

bwah! i know, right?!

I feel your pain...Mangia! Mangia!

EAT SLOWLY. I also married an Italian (which is largely why I'm here...) and if your husband's family is anything like my husband's family, "no" is just not an option. I've started eating so obnoxiously slowly that I'm still eating when Gram comes around with seconds and thirds. For dessert, I've been saying I'll have some later -- because dinner was too delicious, I'm not ready. Then I just drink coffee until that's put away too.

**This has ony worked twice. I have no idea if it'll work long term!

Any tips for portion control when your grandmother-in-law is insisting you eat more?

There's one little trick I use sometimes. So if you finish your plate, they'll ask if you want more. You can say no, but they'll still give you more food. So what you need to do is let them fill your plate, but then don't eat any of it. As long as the plate is full, they won't offer more.

My hubby is Italian and I am Spanish, total fat food combo! I got my hubby working out with me and eating healthy, his family and mine know we are staying on the right track no matter what! We eat anything we want in moderation, lots of salad, VERY little pasta or rice, easy on the meat. you can do it, I promise! Stay strong, taste and enjoy, just don't endulge!

Any tips for portion control when your grandmother-in-law is insisting you eat more?

I didn't marry an Italian I was birthed by one. My helpful hint is this: Develop a few food intolerances (Gluten and Casein worked for me).

Also, go vegan, then you can't eat anything grandma makes.

I'm sorry, I didn't read the post.

I just wanted to tell you that I LOVED the title. Hah.

Have a talk with your husband and have him speak up when they start piling food on your plate.

I have the same problem. I have learned never to turn down food from an italian. Just don't eat all of it. And keep doing what you can to burn calories.

Oh my I don't have to worry about my in laws but my Italian husband instead!!! All he does is EAT and it doesn't help that he's a gym addict and works out 2-3 hours a day!!

I grew up with Italians on one side and Jews on the other. I have no tips except to just keep saying no until they stop.

And keep in mind, while they're pushing that food at you, the second you gain an ounce, they're going to start telling you you're too fat. And then offer you a cookie. And insist you eat it.

LOL Sounds just like my Mother

I grew up with Italians on one side and Jews on the other. I have no tips except to just keep saying no until they stop.

And keep in mind, while they're pushing that food at you, the second you gain an ounce, they're going to start telling you you're too fat. And then offer you a cookie. And insist you eat it.

The Italian side of my family is just the opposite.. They commend how good I look, then tell me I am too skinny and I shouldn't lose any more then instead off to reward me by baking me a cake, a few dozen cookies and lasagana.

Luckily I am one of my grandmother's favorites and am one of the very few people who can say no to her...even if it does take 6 or 7 times and being kind of rude to sink through.

I grew up with Italians on one side and Jews on the other. I have no tips except to just keep saying no until they stop.

And keep in mind, while they're pushing that food at you, the second you gain an ounce, they're going to start telling you you're too fat. And then offer you a cookie. And insist you eat it.

The Italian side of my family is just the opposite.. They commend how good I look, then tell me I am too skinny and I shouldn't lose any more then instead off to reward me by baking me a cake, a few dozen cookies and lasagana.

Luckily I am one of my grandmother's favorites and am one of the very few people who can say no to her...even if it does take 6 or 7 times and being kind of rude to sink through.

Are you at a healthy weight? I always was and never had this problem. But my mother and her sister have had weight issues their entire lives and this is what my grandmother did to them. She never commented on MY weight because I didn't have a weight problem.

My point was that they'll push the food and push the food and then if you DO gain, you get the, "You need to lose weight" speech, then immediately after an offer of more food.

Marrying an Italian is NOT GOOD for my waistline. I was doing fab fab fab yesterday and then Grandma Casablanca called and asked us to go to a home-cooked dinner. Pounds of pasta and meatballs later, I obliterated my goals for the day -- and not in a good way!

Any tips for portion control when your grandmother-in-law is insisting you eat more?

you should push for a trip to Italy....I am sure you will see how different, and healthy, real Italian food is. You're talking about American food, like every ethnic based food, Americans amp it up.

I haven't been to Italy, but would appreciate it if you would try to fit me into your luggage.

Well, I have been to Italy a number of times (note that my names end in vowels). I've also been to France and Sicily. All Mediterranean cultures have fantiastic food. But, there are three things that the Italians who came to the U.S. lost as the generations Americanized. First, vegetables are a huge part of the Mediterranean diet and while pasta is indeed eaten almost every day by everyone in Italy, it is more of a side dish, not a main dish. The Italian-Americans somehow came to have pasta as the main meal. There are theories out ther like the cost of produce and meat vs. the cost of pasta and let's face it, most if not all of the immigrants were poor (who leaves a country when s/he is doing well?). But,it's a departure from what Italian cuisine really is.

The second factor is portion size. Yes, they tend to walk more, etc. But very simply, they eat less. They do not have "super sized" anything and when they eat, it's a mixture of starch, vegetable and sometimes protein. This tends to lower the glycemic effect of the starch they eat, too because the vegetables and protein slow the rate of digestion of the starch.

Finally, the freshness of the food matters. They don't eat canned vegetables, etc. The fresher the food, the more nutrients it has, the slower the digestion rate, and the fuller you feel after eating it.

This is why the "Mediterranean diet" works. It's not a "diet" at all, it's a way of life - a delicious way of life.