Holiday gatherings with family are often fraught with negative comments surrounding food. When this happens, you have two options: let people comment on your body and food choices, or stop them before they begin. Here are some tips to prepare for gatherings and scripts to use if someone makes an unwelcome comment about your body or food choices.
Unwanted Comments About Your Body
There is no way to predict how our words will affect others; diets, food, and bodies are also intrusive and boring subjects. Consider changing the subject or leaving the conversation if you are uncomfortable dealing with this topic head-on.
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Commenting On Your Portions Or Choices
Instead of demonizing dessert or celebrating skipping meals in preparation for Thanksgiving, it’s helpful to speak about food neutrally. The following scripts may be useful: “That is not up for discussion. Why would you ask me that?” or “I won’t talk to you about this.”
Dietary Comments You Don’t Want To Hear
If you can’t eat certain foods or have a food intolerance, offer to provide a dish for the host. Give the host enough time to prepare a menu that includes everyone. Don’t talk about your body or eat harmful foods.
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Food Judgments (Store Vs. Homemade)
The value of food is cultural and social, so we shouldn’t judge or denigrate others’ choices when it comes to food. It’s essential to be aware that not everyone can prepare a beautiful homemade dish because of economic or physical limitations.