How do you tell people you can't eat certain foods?

jnalowd · 04-18-2005, 04:58 PM

I have severe IR and my Dr. put me on a very restricted diet. I can't have more than 30-50g of carbs a day. I also have to eat at least 80g of protein a day. I find it really hard to explain this to people without having to go into the whole mess of the list I have wrong with me! It's especially hard because I teach second grade. The kids and parents are always bringing in treats and there's always treats in the teacher's room. It's also hard to explain why I eat my sandwiches without bread. Everytime someone asks, I end up talking to them for 1/2 hour about it! I like to get the information out there, but then I have no time to do what I really need to do! Does anyone have this problem? I guess I'm just getting tired of explaining it all to people. This weekend, I had to bring my own dessert to a dinner party! It's embarrassing!

MaddyCake · 04-18-2005, 05:23 PM

I have the same problem except mine isnt as severe. Usually when I'm out with friends and I eat something that triggers my IBS, I take some medication right in front of them before or after I eat. They always ask me what it is and I say "Oh nothing I have IBS, LI, IR and PCOS and I need to take these meds for those" and they're like "ABCILBR whaaa?" and I just tell them its a long story and change the subject. Or I say "Oh, I have really bad food allergies" and they're all ok with it. You just gotta somehow be cool about it, tell them what it is but like I do. like "Oh, I have IBS" or "I have severe food alleriges" and leave it at that. They dont need to know the details really.

Kissyboo · 04-18-2005, 06:19 PM

Just tell people you're on a low carb diet. They dont have to know all the ins and outs of why. Unless you want them to of course.

.

wina · 04-18-2005, 06:20 PM

Most people just assume and say "oh you're not on that Atkins diet are you?" and proceed to tell me how dangerous it is and carbs are good for you, blah blah blah. It's actually worse for me now that I'm pg, because even though I'm eating more of the "good" carbs and not low-carbing, I won't eat chocolate cake and I still eat my hamburgers without the bun. There is absolutely no nutritional value I need from a hamburger bun, I'll get my carbs from veggies and whole grains thank you very much. :p But of course anybody who sees me eating a bunless hamburger while pg freaks out about how I shouldn't be "dieting". They just don't understand.

I sometimes get snippy about it... if someone has the gall to question how I eat, I tell them I simply prefer to not eat JUNK and challenge them to show me how white sugar and white flour contribute any nutritional value.

Kissyboo · 04-18-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wina

I sometimes get snippy about it... if someone has the gall to question how I eat, I tell them I simply prefer to not eat JUNK and challenge them to show me how white sugar and white flour contribute any nutritional value.

Ya, dont you wish some people would just mind their own business?!?!?!

naomi123 · 04-18-2005, 06:49 PM

Hiya I just say Im on a low carb diet and to be honest as yet I have had no negative comments about it! So many people have said that I am looking so much better, not just thinner but with more colour to my cheeks etc that they can see Im obviously getting on with it really well. If they ask more questions about it I say Im taking part in a study comparing the effects of a low carb diet to a low GI diet (Which I am) but hardly ever go into details about PCOS unless I know and really trust the person.

choirmissy · 04-18-2005, 07:43 PM

I agree about the low carb diet as probably being the easiest explanation. You could always say that you have problems with your blood sugar. Most people understand that too. As for the 2nd graders, when the kids bring treats for me, I thank them and tell them that I need to save mine for later. Then I generally take it to the workroom & if it doesn't get eaten by one of the other teachers, it's thrown away OR I tell them that I'm not allowed to eat anything with sugar & that they can take mine home with them and eat it for me. Both seem to work pretty well.

snowbunny · 04-18-2005, 08:02 PM

I simply tell them, "I have a medical condition that necessitates a strict diet. I'll spare you the boring and unappetizing details of my illness."

amberstrength · 04-18-2005, 08:21 PM

People need to mind their own business! I just started a new job & have numerous business lunches to attend I get so much slack & teasing from people about how I order my food and what I eat, it makes me sick!! Depending on the mood that day I either want to cry or just get up & leave but I can't of course. Anyway just wanted to share!!

jnalowd · 04-18-2005, 08:24 PM

Thanks everyone! I was just getting tired of all the questions! When someone asks me why I'm eating a certain way, I think I'm just going to shrug my shoulders and smile. I guess I really don't have to answer them! I don't want to have to deal with others, on top of my family! My DH is really good about it, but my mom refuses to understand and acts like she doesn't even want to know. She just tells me that it's because I ate badly all my life. Kinda of like "I told you so". That's enough to deal with on its own!

Ammaarah · 04-18-2005, 08:25 PM

I always say, "Oh, I have sugar issues, y'know, kinda like diabetes." Then smile sweetly and tune out any unwanted advice.

Jashobeam · 04-19-2005, 12:32 PM

The best explanation for me (for those not close relatives) is to say I am at a very high risk for developing diabetes (something EVERYONE has heard of) so I have to be on a very strict diet. I then can follow this up with how much better I feel since going on the diet, and that helps deflect additional "helpful advice." Going into a long explanation usually ends up wtih people getting that glassy-eyed look LOL.

I do feel odd giving this explanation when around diabetics and people who are IR who are eating foods I am politely turning down. They are usually the ones more likely to insist I just try "one small piece" of whatever they are having.

bethers · 04-19-2005, 01:00 PM

I've just started saying that I'm eating this way on "doctors orders". Sometimes I get a follow up question as to why, and I say that I have food sensitivities. The usually does it.
Occassionally I'm tempted to ask them why they eat the JUNK that I'm not eating. But, of course I don't

Jashobeam · 04-19-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethers

Occassionally I'm tempted to ask them why they eat the JUNK that I'm not eating. But, of course I don't

LOL, I feel fine asking DH that, but there are some people I really want to walk up to (my aunt and uncle) and say, "You have to be in complete denial about what that food is going to do to your blood sugar!"

OmShantiOm · 04-19-2005, 08:41 PM

I have had this problem since I was 11. I became vegetarian then (31 years ago) and have been explaining it ever since. I am now vegan and it's such a hassle dealing with those that don't know. The minute I say I'm vegan, they offer me chicken or fish and I go into the whole explanation that chicked and fish aren't even vegetarian!

And right now I am having SE's from the Met and take Immodium with my food. I tell people that I have health issues and leave it at that. I have often thought of typing up something on a small card and handing it to them. I want to explain what vegans do and do not eat and what PCOS is. That way they could read it later!!