Strategies for overcoming your health saboteurs

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The health eating saboteurs are everywhere you turn. They are at work, school, your neighbors, friends and let’s not forget those meddling relatives. Staying focused on your new healthy food plan takes commitment and it’s certainly much more difficult when you don’t get the support of people you’re spending time with every day. Let’s face it there is nothing worse than making it through a tough day and coming home to pizza calling your name!

Over the years here is what I’ve found works  for me when confronted with this situation.

First I bring my own food to work. I’ve made a habit of doing this for years in order to have more control over what I eat and the way it’s prepared. And I also do this to save money!

I’m not advocating you eat in hibernation either. In fact an interesting thing happens when people you work with and have lunch with start to notice the healthy fair your bringing to work. It actually opens up conversation about all kinds of stuff, but mainly it gives you a fantastic forum to teach others about your food preparation. Just don’t get preachy or judgmental or you will be eating by yourself!  This is actually an opportunity to lead by example.Same goes for ordering at a restaurant. Most people actually are waiting for an excuse to heat healthier. So you can lead the way.

Ok, so what about the inevitable birthday cake, cupcakes, donuts, bagels and other home baked goodies people often bring to share at work?  I admit, this can be tricky because you don’t want to hurt other peoples feelings here. Go for the celebration but don’t partake in the treats. If anyone questions why just tell them you’ve discovered your allergic to or are sugar sensitive to what ever it is that being offered. This usually does the trick nicely and people back off rather quickly. (Yes a little white lie- omg!)

BTW – this is a great tip for eating out ; just tell your wait person your allergic to ____ and to please have the chef prepare your meal free from that food. Most good restaurants are actually happy to prepare your dish just the way you like it.

Socially, this is a great opportunity to invite friends over and introduce them to some healthy great tasting foods. Get others in on the act with a theme party. In the summers I like to do farm fresh fare themes where each person brings a dish they put together using locally sourced farm produce or other products.

Pressure from family members can often be the toughest. If going to celebrations at another family members home you can always offer to bring a dish (or two if your like me). This way no matter what they serve you will have at least one “safe” food to eat. And if desert is the issue – again bring your own healthy fare such as fresh fruit.

And you can always just politely explain you’ve now taken up a preventative lifestyle and made some changes to the way you used to eat. Just be matter of fact about it and move on to the next topic of conversation.

I find most people will respect your healthy choices these days. If they don’t and you feel really uncomfortable maybe it’s time to increase the size of your circle of friends.