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