People think I'm weird, do you guys get this too?

[cassidy]

Ok. I have made up my mind to not discuss my eating habits with those who aren't open to it.
Apparently my family (and husband) and friends are sick of the dehydrator, my "weird" foods, and hearing about it. I really, honestly try to keep my raw talk to a minimum.
I guess they even talk about it when I'm not around.... how the way I'm eating is "dumb". Oh well the longer I keep it up the more they will have to accept it and forget about it.
I tried to explain it to a member of my husbands family the other day and wound up twisting my words and sounding like I had no idea what I was doing. I hate having to explain what I do to people who are opposed to it.
SO I AM JUST NOT GOING TO ANYMORE.
It is what it is.
No more detailed explanations of the benefits of fresh foods.
And it isn't discouraging. It makes me laugh and it feels good to be "weird" for this rather than something negative. It kind of makes me like what I'm doing even more! :rolleyes:
Why is this so weird to people??? Why is it so unaccaptable? In general, people really don't like the idea of eating fresh foods. Now I think THAT is weird!
Whatever.... anyone else experience this?

[kellibelli]

I briefly mentioned my new eating habits to my best friend today on the phone and she all of a sudden went off and told me how I go to extremes. With her comment I decided that if I didn't want to hear people's negative and maddening comments that I just better keep it to myself at this point. I found out just with this brief encounter that people, loved ones included, may resort to unpleasant comments. Actually, it makes me sick. In fact, there was no basis for her comment...I don't know why she said that. There is nothing extreme about me at least not in the last 15 years or so since high school ended...how do you call a stable, hardworking mom of three "extreme"??? So, my point is (other than venting) to say that you are not alone...but it sucks feeling alone in this raw pursuit, doesn't it? Sorry, I am just really bummed about the lack of support. Gosh, the only support I have received is from total and complete strangers here on this website...why is that????

[juliebove]

No, I actually get the opposite. I generally do not bring my diet up with people though, aside perhaps from the people at the health food store were I buy a lot of my foods or some people I talk to online who share similar medical problems with me. They are very interested in the raw diet although a few claim they would have too much trouble giving up their favorite foods, like cheese. Perhaps some day you will see a few of them here. They are that interested in it.

Generally I got compliments from people on how good I look. How I've lost weight or how my hair or skin looks so good! Now I could understand this with people I already know. But I am getting strangers stopping me too.

Sometimes they don't pay me a compliment but just keep talking and talking to me. Now I've always had this problem. It has annoyed my daughter since birth. I'm talkative by nature and will strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. But these days it's not me starting up the conversation. It's anyone, anywhere. Sometimes I'm really in a hurry and don't have time to talk but I still get it. Heh!

Another thing is my diet prior to raw. I became a vegetarian at about age 12. Few people were ever weirded out by that nor did they ask about it. If I dined at someone's house, I would avoid eating the meat. Occasionally they would comment on it, but ususually not. The only time I ever had a problem was when someone else stepped in supposedly on my behalf ahead of time. I think it had to do with their tone of voice or something as they said, "She's a vegetarian!" Suddenly the person making the meal would indeed get all freaked out and as a result we'd have a table full of stuff I didn't like and normally didn't eat. Especially tofu stuff and weird desserts. Or stuff they *thought* was vegetarian like chicken or fish. So it was just easier and better for me not to mention it unless they asked.

As an adult, I developed type 2 diabetes. This meant another diet change. Out went the beans and rice for the most part. Then I learned of my food allergies. Out went the almonds, eggs and dairy. Out went the things like bread and pasta because they might contain eggs, dairy or be cross contaminated with the stuff. Out went anything I wasn't sure of. My daughter also has food allergies and unfortunately even more than I do. So I bring nothing into our house that either of us are allergic to aside from foods containing almonds for her and things that my husband wants, like eggs, cereal and cheese.

When I learned of my diabetes, I was very concerned with my diet and it sort of took over my life. I didn't really intend on talking about it but the subject came up time and again especially when people went out of their way to make me a "diabetic" treat that turned out to be no better for me than say...a bowl of sugary candy! They didn't understand and they couldn't seem to understand because somewhere along the line they got it stuck in their minds that diabetics couldn't eat sugar. That's all they wanted to hear. Anything else just confused them and they said so.

So I learned to pack my own food and not to mention my diet unless someone specifically asked. And they did sometimes because they had a friend or relative or perhaps they were diagnosed with diabetes. If someone wants to know I am more than happy to tell them about it.

The food allergies were more difficult for my daughter than they were for me. I had to eliminate soooo much from her diet and she insisted on eating things that looked like what the other kids ate. Apparently some of the kids at school made fun of her "weird" food and she would then refuse to eat it at school. So I spent countless hours trying to perfect a bread recipe for her that I didn't have to toast so I could make her a sandwich for school. By the time I was diagnosed with my own food allergies I pretty well knew what kind of recipes were worth my time making and what were not. And what I was left with was pretty much a raw diet. Now granted I was still eating things that were not raw, but most of it was.

I also think a lot of whether or not people get weirded out about what you eat is the manner in which you approach it. If you are just matter of fact about it and don't keep going on and on about it they're more willing to accept it. I know some people who went on the Atkins diet who were so gung ho about it only turned me off to the whole idea. Not that I would have liked that diet to begin with but I did find their attitude off putting.

[raeannasun]

I haven't had a lot of negativity, but my husband did tell me that my brother-in-law was concerned.....his statement was that I should be eating raw fruits and veggies "in moderation." Meaning that it was unhealthy to eat 100% raw!!! My husband said "no, drinking alchohol and eating fast food is something you do in moderation!!!"

[kellibelli]

you have a great husband! that is so great to have that kind of support. :)

[berrymarymac]

My mom is extremely supportive of me and helps me all the way, along with my dad. But I tend to not talk about my diet to anyone anymore. But my friends will mention it to people. Then I get strange looks and questions. My roommate still questions it all. She says that no one can survive without milk...it's essential. So I just don't mention it anymore...I'm tired of the questions. And you are not weird! You're healthy!

[Rawkinlocs]

I think part of the problem is that people sometimes feel threatened or convicted, even when you're not trying to convict them!

I remember before raw and when we were transitioning to vegetarian, my mother asked me if I wanted some shrimp and I told my mom that I didn't eat "bottom-dweller" seafood and she went OFF on me..."What's wrong with it?!?", she yelled. I told her, "Ma, I'm not saying YOU can't eat it, I only said "EYYYE" don't eat it. She kinda calmed down after that but I was really weirded out by how upset she seemed by me merely saying I didn't eat it.

So, sometimes (not all) I think people are just feeling convicted by your choice and the fact that they're not making that choice and they don't WANT to make that choice or be made to feel that someone is eating "better" or healthier than they are and so they either get defensive or they start making unsubstantiated claims about the "dangers" of eating all natural foods.

I, thankfully, don't get much of those types of reactions though and my mom is now supportive of my eating habits and slowly trying to make small changes of her own.

[spicyfull]

This is your Choice as is it their choice to eat a bloody cow. As long as you don't hammer them about the cow, I would not take any of their static about my Choice. Have a great Journey......I wish you everything you need to stay RAW.............

[Imagine]

I find I get much less resistance if I go about my eating preferences quietly.

When I start to get on my soap box and want to tell everyone how great I feel, or they comment on how healthy I look, I need to leave it, instead of going on into a great speech about why..

They don't really want to know!

If they do, they'll ask..

I try to understand that while they are stuck in their own habits, lifestyles, it's natural for them to put up resistance to new ideas, in a way, if I'm going on and on about RAW it's like I'm telling them what they are doing isn't good... that's why the resistance..

[LeanAndHungry]

People take what they have known, what is "common sense," and stick to it, no matter how illogical their belief is or how logical yours is. People largely are not rational creatures. Mercury in fillings does not harm, water flouridation is good, pills are the answer to sickness are some examples. Also people are lied to by the powers that be for the purpose of profit. So it's not really their fault. It's the fault of the ones who have lied to them.

[Draginvry]

how the way I'm eating is "dumb".

Everone is dumb.

Most people just haven't realized it.

[sport]

I never shut up about the way that I eat and take every opportunity to tell people about it.
I do not care who thinks that I am weird as I have always had to put up with that. Being a vegetarian back in the seventies was considered weird over here but it is fairly mainstream now.
I have already influenced many people into going partly raw and a couple in to going all the way.
One of my friends has just gone to Bulgaria for a holiday and it is her first holiday without a wheelchair for many years. She has MS and I have caused her to introduce raw foods into her diet and she can not believe the difference it has made to her. Now was that not worth the occasional ridicule that I may get from someone else.
I will continue to bore everyone within earshot.

[Framboise]

I don't mind if people think I'm weird or extreme with my eating habits.

As I usually tell people that I think meat-eaters are lower down on the evolutionary scale than non-meat-eaters, and that they are pretty barbaric, and as I often wear t-shirts with vegan slogans on them (like "Meat is Murder", or "I think, therefore I am vegetarian"), it would be wrong for me to get annoyed when they express their thoughts.

[alex]

The fact is that everyone on this forum is weird and not normal - and that is really good!!!

Normal means being SAD.

I don't bring up food until the other person/people do

Aren't you having any steak?
Try the pizza, it's delicious!

etc.

Then I just say: If you are really interested in why I have chosen to eat the way I do, then we'll talk and I will try to explain it as best I can.

Most people drop it at this point and don't mention it again.

The odd person that does persist, I get into it with them, recommend some reading material etc.

There have been a couple of people who have made some changes in their eating habits because of the information that I shared with them.

The others that are not interested, think I am crazy, or think they know it all - I don't bother with them - waste of time.


alex

[Lay-Lay]

I am sorry you are getting this responce. I totally don't get this. But I don't answer alot of specific questions to people who are asking in a negative way. I will usually write down www.alissacohen.com and tell them to check it out for themselves. If I know them well I will invite them to my home to fix some meals with me if they like. My hubby is very supportive. He has seen so many positive changes in me so this contributes to that. I don't force raw food on him. If he wants to eat healthy great and if he doesn't great. And he saids someday he will be raw too when he is ready.

[healthisraw1]

Im a Professional Cook/ Food & Beverage Manager serving the SAD diet. Just being a vegetarian people think Im wacko, but going raw vegan now that is a "HEALTH NUT"

well I say being a "NUT" is someone who accepts that heart disease, cancer, taking meds, feeling tremendous pain, obesity, diabetis, painful death is normal.

Many of us have had many or all of these ailments, me for sure. Being raw leads to optimum health and if your take the time to learn the foods are better than their cooked depleted versions. NATURE DOESNT COOK.

Richard Anderson says "disease is a natural occurance, to un-natural acts"

I TRULY DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS ABOUT WHAT I DO, WHAT I BELIEVE AND HOW I WORSHIP LIFE.

SO JUST DO IT
Bill