How People Treat You Because Of Your Diet

[PansyLo]

I've only just started out eating raw, I've been vegan and gluten free for a couple of years but a huge part of that is because I'm lactose and gluten intolerant. Getting into raw food is mostly a new things for me.

I was just wondering how people find other's reactions to it?

A lot of people are anti-vegetarian and I had kind of gotten used to that as they just pop occationally (are normally men for some reason) and ignoring them or walking away is easy enough. But a raw food diet is going to get some sort of reaction out of most people.

Some people are going to accuse you of having an eating disorder. People will flat out just tell you you're wrong (as if my personal diet is something that they can judge to be right or wrong). People will try and say your some sort of health food crazy person.

Most people I've talked to who are into raw food aren't crazy extremists. They're just normal people who want to eat well, have lots of energy, be a healthy weight and eat nice food. How do you deal with peoples negative reactions?

[MysticTree]

Well there's not a whole lot of reason to tell everyone about eating raw.

My boss commented "you will eat a proper dinner when you get home won't you?"

I said "yes". The dinner I ate when I got home was not a proper dinner from his viewpoint but it was from mine and the answer satisfied both of us without any elaboration.

[Revvell]

I could just say ~




Most people I've talked to who are into raw food aren't crazy extremists. They're just normal people who want to eat well, have lots of energy, be a healthy weight and eat nice food. How do you deal with peoples negative reactions?

Yet, I don't. When I go out to eat, I put in my order along with everyone else, making it to my requirements, just like anything else... I don't use the word "raw".... I'd like the dinner salad please with all the veggies.... tomatoes, cukes, avos (anything I see on any cooked food item)... I'm willing to pay for it or, I'll substitute ~ "I'd like the large dinner salad and please substitute the cheese for avos; substitute the blah, blah, blah"... so they get the idea it should not cost more.

[PansyLo]

I think that's how I'll handle it then.

I don't like having to justify my personal diet to people. Especially people who aren't going to listen or be open minded about it. Too many people think it's normal and healthy to have a full fried breakfast and think that because I want a good smoothy or plate of salad I must have eating issues.

I think the easiest way is just to avoid it coming up. Just don't comment on my diet and if anyone asks why I always eat the things I do I don't have to say: "I'm a raw foodist... blah blah blah." and actively start a discussion on it.
I could just say: "I just like to eat healthy!" or "Because it's good for you!" which is a lot more normal and isn't as provocative.
As far as acquaintances and work colleges go anyway.

I know my friends will end up bringing it up though. Whenever I meet new people and food is brought into the conversation it's "Well you know what she eats!?"

I'll see how it goes! I'll just try and keep it to myself as much as I can.

[Revvell]

I could just say: "I just like to eat healthy!" or "Because it's good for you!" which is a lot more normal and isn't as provocative.

Uh,,, ".... it's good for ME!" (not you! When you say "you" they really take it personally."




I know my friends will end up bringing it up though. Whenever I meet new people and food is brought into the conversation it's "Well you know what she eats!?"
What's interesting is, I volunteer for the sheriff's department and many deputies are real junk food-on-the-run junkies and they make no comments about what I eat ~ UNLESS I eat something less than healthy. THEN they remind me. Be strong in what you eat/do and there'll be no words about it. Just *shrug* and laugh. Yup! Uh huh! That's what I do! Want some?

[PansyLo]

^ Good point! "Me" would probably be less provocative. "You" sounds more natural though when used with the right tone of voice. Saying me implies that I'm in some way different or that I'm eating it because of medical problems.

My friends have a strange attitude to my diet. I might not even tell them it's changed. They wont notice as it's unusual enough all ready. But it's always commented on.
"You could help yourself to a snack, but I don't know what's in my kitchen that you'd eat."
Etcetera.

The less they know the better.

Work colleges I am not going near with the subject. They frequently refere to vegetarians as assholes. I'll tell them I'm bringing my own lunch with me because it's cheaper and I'm sick of their crappy food (everyone's sick of the food).
Or I'll tell them I'm on a diet, which while I don't believe in dieting in the traditional sense it's completely socially acceptable and will go unquestioned.

[Revvell]

^ Good point! "Me" would probably be less provocative. "You" sounds more natural though when used with the right tone of voice. Saying me implies that I'm in some way different or that I'm eating it because of medical problems.

Not said in "the right tone of voice".... it's all in perception, interpretation and delivery. I've been "different" for 15 years. Turned vegetarian 26 years ago before all the support and never had any issues other than one person telling me I'd be dead in a year. Ah well! I'm still here and "it's good for me." ;)

[Choose2BWell]

Good evening,

I had a co worker ask if I ate normal food?

On two seperate occassions a friend said I was full of it and depriving myself, that was after she had a mild heart attack.

Same friend asked if I really lost 70#, I said yes, her reply was, you are making it hard on all of us.

Last month after another friend who had a heart attack, told me that his friend who ate healthy all the time had a triple bypass.

However there have been many supporting comments, my former boss said he was proud of me.

I just smile and think to myself, my BP is normal, no meds, my blood is flowing as it should, I can out PT most men, and I can take my shirt off in the beach. Now why would I go back to eating SAD? Bottom line, who cares what they say. I feel great, Get some!

[PansyLo]

^ I don't understand why people feel like other peoples diets are some sort of personal insult.

The way I see it, my diet has absolutely no effect on anyone else so they don't need to have so much concern over it.

I don't care if people want to eat fried food and meat even though I don't believe in it. It doesn't effect me so why would it bother me? If anything I have more reason to feel it's wrong as I don't believe in animal cruelty but I still believe that what people eat is their choice so I wouldn't judge or butt in on someones personal decisions.

I don't see why so many people have to feel like it's somehow personal that we want to eat in a way that makes us feel better, happier, healthier and more energetic. Some people just can't wait to scrutinise what you eat and your reasons for it.

[Ratergam]

will seek for discussion very interesting!@

[Traceyraw]

I more think they are jelous because of our discipline and self control. The ability to resist processed sweets and unhealthy fried foods is a very powerful traight. Some people can't resist the temption and hate themselves for it.

[PansyLo]

^ I suppose in a way people could be resentful.

I think if they just tried it though they'd realise it's easier than they think.

I think people write it off as extreme or even silly. The girl I live with for example, she eats bland low fat and fat free food in controlled amounts and no fresh or raw food at all (she eats very little fruit and veg and what she does eat is from cans or cooked) but is still overweight and never seems to shift much of it. She suffers from multiple constant medical ailments and a lack or energy. Yet she would scrutinise my diet as ridiculous and a fad.

Things like that frustrate me. Some people are just too stubborn to consider being different.

I think others care too much about what other people think and the image it gives. While I don't like the image eating raw gives me it's not eating raw that's the problem. It's other peoples perceptions of it. I don't care enough to let it affect me.

I don't have a whole lot of respect for people who will judge others harshly and make unreasonable assumptions about them based on their diet. So I suppose if some people think I'm a ridiculous health freak then it's an easy way to filter such frivolous people from my life.

[climbing]

Like you, I was gluten intolerant and had other limiting food situations (I have a variety of allergies) for a long time before going high raw. So people were already used to me having a limited diet for health reasons. When I went raw most people who knew me just assumed I was continuing my path of trying to heal my body.

The biggest thing that freaks people out about my diet is how sensitive I am to gluten. I can't even use the same plates/cookware as a gluten eater even if they have been deep cleaned. I have to be very careful and people are so sympathetic to me about that they don't even think to criticize me for my diet.

People saw me be very ill and even nearly lose my life when I was younger. And now they see me doing well. So no one is going to criticize anything I do as it's all helped save my life.

[PansyLo]

^ That's good.

I'm not nearly that sensitive. It just gives me stomach issues, bad skin and makes my mood even lower. I could eat a little and be okay, just not regularly or too much.

The only person that's given me much greif over it so far is the person I live with. But pretty much anything I do sets her off so I'm far past caring. I'll be moving out soon. I'm supposed to move out in June but I might leave early in April when I have a place to go.

I haven't really told anyone else about it though. People at work think I'm just eating healthier because I was recently in hospital.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I don't even bother to eat my lunch with them because they would literally go crazy, lol.... It is only because i love having just a smoothie, or fruits or a sweet red pepper for lunch. If i would bring a gourmet salad or gourmet meal, then i would and cope with their question. They already know that i am vegan but they don't know that i eat raw food only.

The family in the other hand, they are ok now and they can see that i look healthier. They actually starting to ask more question about my life style. As for my daughter, i do what i can to make sure her lunch look like cook or a meal to them. To tell you the truth she loves eating like me and simple.

You will have to learn to discern with people. Meaning, don't say more then you are suppose to and don't talk unless you can sense that the person truly wants to educate him/herself.

I remember someone during my brake bragging that he was eating what he wants and i reply, so do i. I can eat what i want but i choose plant food because this is the food i love the most. I think i made a point and it wasn't brought up again. I deal with them with a sense of humor.

Educate yourself, make sure they know you don't try to change their food habit and everything will be just fine.

All the best

[climbing]

The only person that's given me much greif over it so far is the person I live with. But pretty much anything I do sets her off so I'm far past caring. I'll be moving out soon. I'm supposed to move out in June but I might leave early in April when I have a place to go.


Ew yeah, I've been there with roommates. :( It's definitely not worth it to try and make it work in a situation with someone who is miserable to be around. Life is too short.

[PansyLo]

^ Agreed!

I feel bad but as I've been eating raw and feeling more energetic and positive it only seems to annoy her more and she seems to be even more miserable.

I don't know what the problem is, I'm doing more than I usually do to help out round the flat.

Anyway, I think the feeling is mutual that we no longer want to be friends. Neither of us have to put up with each others company for much longer.

Hopefully the next people I live with (I think more than one person seems like a better set up) wont have any qualms about my eating raw food. Maybe they'll even try some or show a little interest rather than turning their nose up and criticising.

I just don't like being ridiculed for it, I've never been all that good at dealing with ridicule. I take it too personally and let it wind me up.

[climbing]

Yeah, it took me a long time to realize that you don't have to put up with ridicule, and that there are people out there who do not treat others that way. I grew up surrounded by that sort of negativity in my hometown. Then I moved far away to North Carolina and now I only know people who are nice. :)

[breathless]

I take a college class every Saturday morning, and today when I took out my bag of apple slices, my professor commented "You eat so healthy." I find it interesting that people comment on my choice of food because it is good and healthy. I never see anyone make comments to someone as they eat their hamburger and fries from McDonald's. So, it is normal to eat junk I guess. It is normal to be sick and unhealthy and feel tired all the time. When I eat raw, I get comments like what happened today all the time. At the checkout lane in the grocery store, I've had the clerk say "That's a lot of produce." People at work question what I eat, "What's that green stuff?" I think it's just something we, as raw foodists, have to get used to because our way of eating sadly is not the norm.

[PansyLo]

^ It's not normal to eat healthy. It is totally acceptable to eat a giant plate of fried breakfast or a burger so tall you can fit it in your mouth though.

It's mad.

I've also noticed recently that weirdly in my times of alcoholism, depression, using and manipulating people nobody had much criticism for my behaviour. It's now that I'm happy, trying new things, being a better person and becoming an individual that people seem to have a problem or take it personally.

People really do just have a tendency to feel threatened by things that are not normal.

It's a matter of meeting the right people I guess.

[MysticTree]

I take a college class every Saturday morning, and today when I took out my bag of apple slices, my professor commented "You eat so healthy." I find it interesting that people comment on my choice of food because it is good and healthy. I never see anyone make comments to someone as they eat their hamburger and fries from McDonald's. So, it is normal to eat junk I guess. It is normal to be sick and unhealthy and feel tired all the time. When I eat raw, I get comments like what happened today all the time. At the checkout lane in the grocery store, I've had the clerk say "That's a lot of produce." People at work question what I eat, "What's that green stuff?" I think it's just something we, as raw foodists, have to get used to because our way of eating sadly is not the norm.

but some of it may be down to the fact that when we have been taught that being judgmental is bad we were never told that it is just as judgmental to comment on someone being healthy as it is to comment on them being unhealthy. So we get a situation where it is rude to say "omg you're so fat" but people might not think twice about saying "omg you are so thin" Likewise we struggle to say "omg you are so unhealthy but many have no problem giving a negative comment about a positive aspect such as good health.

[PansyLo]

^ That's a huge factor.

I find it disturbing how rude people can get when it comes to being slim.

When I've been skinnier I've had people shout things at me in the street. People who are completely well meaning and normally kind have no quaffs about telling me that I'm too thin or need a good meal in me. My body and what I do with it is NOT up for discussion, it's mine. And I eat very well, I only gain weight if over eating especially on junk. Other than natural petiteness and frame there are also lots of medical reasons for being very thin. Just like being called fat and being taunted for it people can find getting called thin very hurtful.

Comments like that never bothered me to be honest but I was friends with a girl in school though who was constantly bullied for being "anorexic" when she wasn't. It really effected how she felt about herself (she was only about 13) and actually did begin to cause disordered eating she went through fazes of either over eating or trying to lose weight. She was later diagnosed with Coeliacs Disease. Her weight really effected how people treated her and it shouldn't have.

Hopefully as time goes on and people become more aware of these things societies norms will move on and advance. It's already starting to as information travels so fast around the internet. Just a lot of people like to stay in their own bubbles.

[delmar]

Eating is, in every culture that I know of, a very social thing, and it's a surprisingly emotional issue for a lot of people. I have seen offenders one both sides of this one.

When I was in my 20's I had a couple of hard core vegan roommates, at a time in my life when I had no interest in changing my diet. These were the kind of guys who went around with spray cans changing stop signs to say "STOP murdering animals". They also had the worst vegan diet I ever saw, in that, their idea of a meal was spaghetti sauce and "good bread". They ended up voting me out of the house for doing things like leaving the microwave plugged in, so I could see the clock.

Currently moving, more and more, to a raw food diet has it's difficulties because my wife and kids have very little interest in juicing or sprouting. fortunately they have a great deal of interest in my cancer not coming back.

[adobegirl]

When I first started raw, I wanted to share with everyone this amazing "miracle" thing I was doing. Ironically, no one else thought it was as exciting as I did, lol. I got my feelings hurt in the beginning and at one point even started just telling people I was allergic. I was allergic to wheat, my body was weird and couldn't digest meat even with a digestive enzyme, etc, etc.

But slowly I realized it didn't matter. Some people still think I am "extreme." Others think I'm weird (which I am, no doubt, lol). But people who know me just accept me. I think when I finally started accepting me, others did too. I'm confident in knowing raw food is the best thing for my body and so I don't look down when I talk about what I'm having for lunch. I look up, order a salad and ask them to omit the cheese, etc and please add avocado, no thanks on the dressing. And often people don't even comment on it anymore and if they do, they say something like, wow that looks pretty good. When you see their food next to an amazing raw salad, it's pretty obvious which one is prettier (imo).

I don't share my diet unless someone asks now. If they don't ask, they aren't really interested in what I have to say about it.

As you become more confident in knowing what your body needs, the comments and opinions of others will matter less and less. I went through many stages of my growth, from being defensive to making excuses to finally just realizing we all do what we do and everyone is on their own journey. I'm pretty thankful that my journey led me to raw food. :) :heart :heart

[PansyLo]

I'm settling into it a lot more.

I'm not going to let raw food define me or let others define me by my diet but let my energy, passion and good attitude define raw food for other people. :)

[PansyLo]

It's starting to drive me nuts when people moan about how their diet isn't working or ask me what I think of zig-zagging calories etc.

I really want to rant about it but I know they would not follow my advice.

My flatmate eats literally about 2% raw, if that. She eats simple cooked rubbish (breaded chicken with jarred tomato sauce etc), everything comes out of jars or tins or a bag of frozen processed guff. The only things she keeps in the fridge are her diet low cal soft cheese, diet yogurt, diet butter and diet pepsi.

Then she moans about how she never loses weight. Her diet is so void of nutrition is no wonder she doesn't lose weight, she's always suffering from minor ailments and pains. No. Wonder!

Internally it just drives me nuts but if she wanted my advice she could ask for it. I don't want to be that dick who interferes with their weird (factual) notions on food.

And everyone diets by counting cals!! It's so illogical!! :mad:

[/rant]

[Raw Angel Mom]

I'm settling into it a lot more.

I'm not going to let raw food define me or let others define me by my diet but let my energy, passion and good attitude define raw food for other people. :)

That sound like a great way.

Yes be you and enjoy this beautiful energy. I sure do

All the best!

[Raw Angel Mom]

There is a movie that is free It is "Hungry for change" , you need to subscribe. Pass this movie to your friends and family. It is up to them to watch it or not, if they do, they might start to be more aware of what they choose for grocery list.

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/instant_access

[fastfreedom]

For me, I really don't give much weight to the people that were trying to tell me that they knew better...... And really how can anyone expect me to take their advice when they have cancer, are overweight, crippled, riddled with arthritis, take over a dozen different type of drugs, can't jog more than a hundred yards without wanting to fall over, can't pack around over 30 lbs, etc.........

To me what ever they say I listen to, but when I realize that there's nothing of worth being produced from their lips I don't even allow what they say to register.

I feel bad for those that are closed minded and allow themselves to continue to be poisoned and experimented on with drugs, and processed foods while telling me that eating raw veggies and fruits is bad..... LOL Deep down most everyone knows that fruits and veggies are good for ya.

But to sum it up, the quote, "misery loves company", is enough to explain why most people will harp on ya when you are choosing to be healthier. Leave those people if you need to and ignore the ones you can't. Eventually your example will be enough that they will begin to become interested and accept what you are doing.

[blissrunner]

I've only just started out eating raw, I've been vegan and gluten free for a couple of years but a huge part of that is because I'm lactose and gluten intolerant. Getting into raw food is mostly a new things for me.

I was just wondering how people find other's reactions to it?

A lot of people are anti-vegetarian and I had kind of gotten used to that as they just pop occationally (are normally men for some reason) and ignoring them or walking away is easy enough. But a raw food diet is going to get some sort of reaction out of most people.

Some people are going to accuse you of having an eating disorder. People will flat out just tell you you're wrong (as if my personal diet is something that they can judge to be right or wrong). People will try and say your some sort of health food crazy person.

Most people I've talked to who are into raw food aren't crazy extremists. They're just normal people who want to eat well, have lots of energy, be a healthy weight and eat nice food. How do you deal with peoples negative reactions?

I don't generally make a big deal about my eating habits to people unless they ask. Some people will ask things like why my skin glows or other things like that. when they see the benefits they're usually past saying anything negative because it's obvious it's working out well. I've had a couple of people try to force "their" way of eating on me like there is something wrong with the way I eat and it doesn't bother me because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[MysticTree]

people at work know I'm fasting in a general way. It's a small firm and we are all quite fond of each other. They might think I'm odd but they respect my oddness :)

[Rawzula]

I told my mother that I was raw vegan and she said I should eat chicken and fish because I'm not eating "properly."

[Supa]

For the most part I just do my thing and answer the occasional question of why my cup of juice is some bright color covered in flecks of other colors. But I do give tastings of my green juice, fruit juices, and ginger lemon water kefir to anyone brave enough to try them. I enjoy the seeing the diversity of reactions and from a junk food addicts aversion to green nutrition to someone with culinarily adventurous tastes that say "hey this is good stuff! how do you make it?". Most like the zingy fruit carrot fennel ginger juice only but some like green juice too. Some are germaphobes that cringe at the thought of probiotics in the water kefir and some already have brewed their own beer or wine and familiar with fermentation.

One of my office mates really likes the juice regime but does not have time or the special equipment to make it everyday so gives me money every week to fund the produce buys and recieve daily glasses of green juice, fruit juice, and water kefir. I would like to believe we are perceived as some of the healthiest people in our office. Everyone knows our secret of eating allot of fruit and veggies, getting lots of exercise, and thus we rarely get sick. You can't make other people change their lifestyle to get healthier, but you can offer them a taste of yours and lead by example. For most people, like me, it takes a health crisis to get serious about change. My role model for change was my wife and I would like to think we are both stronger now we reinforce each others good habits.

[January Noir]

Most of the people who know I'm a Raw Foodist are more intrigued if anything. I've never had any negative attacks or remarks (a few eye rolls here and there), but I wouldn't care what they thought anyway. I'll care when they start paying my bills and feeding me. LOL!