What do you say....

[pinenut]

What do you say to all those people who insist that what you are eating is unhealthy and dangerous?

What do you say to people who stare at you in horror at the idea that you not only eat do not animal products, you don't eat cooked foods?

What do you say when even your dear parents worry that you are harming your body and starving yourself when you choose to only eat foods the way nature intended them to be eaten?

What do you say to someone sitting in front of you scarfing down hamburger, bacon and ranch dressing because they are on the Atkins diet and then they start to criticize you for eating only raw vegan?

What do you say?

Or is it even worth trying to say anything?

Maybe actions will speak louder than words...

[dreamrawalwz]

I found that it's no use in trying to argue your points or explaining yourself to them. Actions DO speak louder than words. When they see how great you're looking and feeling, they'll ask what you're doing and want to know for thsemselves! People also, I've learned, are scared of the unknown, as well as the truth. People don't like change so they go with what they've been taught. Just my thoughts :)

[Rawkinlocs]

I don't even really discuss my diet with people. I just do me. If people ask and they GENUINELY want to know, then I share a bit with them. Sometimes they come back for more information. I haven't been having trouble with people lately though and haven't for a good while!

Most of my friends and relatives think it's good to eat this way but will make comments that they "couldn't" do it or give up "xyz".

[JMD]

Hi,

Sometimes I just stayed silent which made me feel worse...

NOW I simply state "I eat like this b/c IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD and i know u want me to be happy." that works on my mom.

My hubby misses me eating like him and I use the same line...

I found success in just agreeing with them a bit.....I say "yes, it must look different but i loveeeeeeeeee what i am eating " and SMILE--niot sinisterly or anything but with love.

When i eat with confidence and determination it seems to pass over time. Everyone in my hut gets threathened when someone rocks the boat....In time with your CONTINUED eating of raw the waves will calm....

Best,
JMD

[juliebove]

I've never had anyone tell me that. Now I did get annoyed at the new Dr. I took my daughter to yesterday who acted like she didn't believe that my daughter had food allergies. "What do you feed her?", she said. "Lots of fruits and vegetables, but no bananas", was my reply. Then then went on to comment that her weight had gone up 15 pounds in a year. "Yes", I said, "but look at how many inches she grew!" She merely looked at the chart and sighed. I did ask if she was overweight and she didn't respond to that.

Most of the negative comments I do get are in response to my daughter's diet. She is 7 now and if she hears such comments she will usually respond herself by telling people she doesn't really miss those foods that make her feel sick.

I have a lot of medical conditions. People who've known me for a while know this. They can see with their own eyes how sick I was and how much better I've gotten. Perhaps for this reason, they do not comment. If they do comment, they usually say they wish they could eat like me. I have had a few people I know only in passing say things like... There is no way they could eat like I do. Give up meat? No way. I just smile and say I feel better when I don't eat meat. And it's true, for me. I would also not make a comment about their eating meat. I believe there is no one diet that works for all of us. I've also had people tell me that I should run my diet by my Dr. To this I respond that my Drs. are pleased with my labs and my weight loss. And they are. I haven't felt the need to give my Drs. all the particulars of my diet, mainly because I don't feel that most Drs. are diet authorities. I have made comments about trying to increase the amount of raw foods I am eating and that I am eating pumpkin seeds as a source of protein. No Dr. has had a problem with this.

[Crystl-jade]

I say,"To heck with them!" :p

Everyone has a right to their own journey. Usually, if you are on the correct one, it's also a lonely one. There are few that find it. ;0



crystl-jade

[fiddler]

What do you say to all those people who insist that what you are eating is unhealthy and dangerous? Usually, nothing because it is highly unlikely that I'm going to be able to change their beliefs unless they're sincerely interested.

What do you say to people who stare at you in horror at the idea that you not only eat do not animal products, you don't eat cooked foods? This rarely happens to me.

What do you say when even your dear parents worry that you are harming your body and starving yourself when you choose to only eat foods the way nature intended them to be eaten? Yikes, that's a bummer that you're parents don't feel this way. Fortunately, my parents support this way of eating. My Mom has followed me into the Hallelujah diet and is succeeding on that program. My Dad gets a kick that I'm now in the Bantam weight division :) As for that question, just make sure you eat lots of food around them. If they ask further, maybe tell them how many calories you eat in a day and that your doctor says he's satisfied with your diet. For some reason, people seem to accept your response if your doctor says its fine.

What do you say to someone sitting in front of you scarfing down hamburger, bacon and ranch dressing because they are on the Atkins diet and then they start to criticize you for eating only raw vegan? How 'bout asking them about their diet to let them share with you how things are going for them? Most people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care, about them [Ziglar].

What do you say?

How do you like your rabbit food?
How do you like your vulture food? [Graham] <giggle>

Or is it even worth trying to say anything? Sadly, most of the time no. Unless, the person asks sincere questions.

Maybe actions will speak louder than words... I hope so...

[Revvell]

People don't say these things to me. As a matter of fact, I get the totally opposite reactions and responses.

Yesterday I went to a networking meeting. I had the salad and refused all other food until I saw a beautiful fruit plate and asked how I could get one of those. They told me ~ "take that one". Everyone who saw it came and asked how I got it. That's the usual response.

As far as parents, my father ~ a heavy meat and potatoes guy, died of a heart attack at 50 years of age. My mother is 93. She doesn't know or care at this point.

I've never had anyone stare in horror at my eating only fruit or veggies.

Consider this ~ change your attitude and folk around you will change theirs. Don't make any issue about what you eat. Don't expect "horror" or "criticism" and see what happens. Just go about your biz doing what you do and "usually" folk will go about theirs.

Example: An acquaintance who was rather noticeable because he was 6'4", bald and fully tattooed told me he wouldn't come to my city because the police ALWAYS stopped him. Now, he drove a pick-up.

A dear friend who has long hair, a very long beard, fully tattooed and drives a motorcycle and LIVES in my city, never gets stopped. Why? Attitude. One receives what one expects ~ even if it's unconsious. So, give this a shot. Make a conscious decision that you know most people will not care about what you eat and you'll find, they really don't.

Revvell

[divaitalia]

I work in a food atmosphere and people don't really bother me. They know I am trying hard to be on my own journey of health. Thank God!!!!

The chef's are always teasing me though and asking if I would like a piece of filet mignon or a crab cake. I just laugh and tell them that vegans/vegetarians taste better anyway. That really stops them in their tracks!!!!!!!!

Just keep on doing what you are doing and everything will work out for the better in the long run.

Divaitalia ;)

[lil fairy z girl]

personally, i think its none of their business what you choose to eat. as regards raw not being good for you, what can be better than eating raw fruit and veg? look at all the chemicals and additives you are missing from junk and processed foods ;) personally they are the ones who are missing out.
its a shame when people can't not give advice. i was surprised the other day when my hubby told my sister in law about the diet and she said oh i couldn't do that disapprovingly. i was quite surprised as she has been a vegetarian for ages, whereas her hubby a meat eater actually asked intelligent questions.
anyway, you know whats good for you, so don't let others discourage you.

kind wishes
sal
~*~*~*~*

[firefaery]

I'm lucky because my changes have been so visible that people really can't argue with me. I look far better than I did a year ago so I let my life speak for itself. If people want to argue, I sometimes engage, because by and large I know way more than they do-but it's SO counterproductive. I know that if I wasn't being argumentative in alot of instances I could rally get some good information across. I have to stop being so cranky. Maybe that should be a part of my "new" commitment. ;)

[lily]

The worst thing, I find, is if I'm not feeling very well. I've had four bouts of 'flu this winter and though I know it's partly or maybe wholly my body de-toxing, I've had a lot of pressure from people saying 'it's your diet' or 'you need to take vitamins' etc. I don't take any notice, but it makes me realise that looling and feeling really fit is one of the best ways to shut 'em up. That's my aim and I know I'm getting there.

lily

[ljannise]

My friend Tiffany- "Oh man, do you know how fattening those bananas are??"

Me, looking at her weighing 300lbs eating fast food 4 times a week- "compared to what??"