Food Bullies

This post by Emily Boller hits the nail on the head for those of us who find it challenging to follow our diet around family and friends. It gets easier with practice, but it isn’t easy in the beginning to bring your new eating habits back to your old environment. People generally are uncomfortable with change, in the beginning. It takes commitment and perseverance. Particularly around holidays, there are temptations that can weaken even the most dedicated individuals. We don’t want to insult our hosts, we don’t want to cause tension, we don’t want to be different.

Staying on track during the holidays could be an opportunity to be an example to others. You’ve made significant strides in your own diet and health. You look better and feel better. You have a story to tell. Your family and friends love you and may be interested in knowing what you are doing and how you are doing it.

Bring food to share. Offer samples of favorite foods to everyone and be generous in sharing recipes. Consider what it is like for someone who wants to eat healthier but has never known anyone who has done it. You might be the one person they know who is eating healthy and resisting temptation. This could be just the inspiration that supports someone else to make healthier choices. As long as they have you, they will not feel alone. (Of course, this doesn’t mean being a food nazi. Your choices are yours alone. You will definitely provoke hard feelings if you try to control everyone around you.

The bottom line is you made a commitment to your health. Abandoning your commitment when you feel social pressure will not help those you love and it could sabotage you. Stay strong, stay committed, and trust that those who love you really do want what’s best for you.

Read Emily’s post at Dr. Fuhrman’s blog and see how others are managing the temptations of family and friends during the holidays.

Read full article here

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