How to Respond to Relatives Who Feel the Need to Comment on Your Food and Body
You can also be more direct, she says, and go with something like: “Why yes, it is high-calorie, and I’m going to enjoy every single bite.” If you’re comfortable, you can also say: “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make comments about food and calories around me,” or “I’m working on my relationship with food right now and comments like this aren’t helpful.” “It all depends on what feels authentic and safe to you,” Tsui says.
4. “I agree that it’s all delicious! I’m full for now though.”
A friend, family member, or coworker who diets regularly might feel totally out of control at a holiday dinner or party, where food (often the kind dieters try to avoid) is plentiful. Because of that, they may have trouble understanding how someone who’s more at peace with eating can be so calm when surrounded by so much delicious stuff. This might result in comments like, “How are you able to leave pie on your plate!?” or, “I can’t believe you didn’t go back for seconds!”
“Depending on your relationship with the person, you can choose from a variety of responses,” Kate Regan, RD, dietitian and owner of Wholesome Chick Nutrition in Philadelphia, tells SELF.
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If you aren’t very close to them, Regan says, you can try something like: “I agree that it’s all delicious! I’m full for now though. How are you spending the rest of your holiday break?” to change the topic. If you feel cornered and they won’t let it go, say, “I need to use the restroom” and walk away.
If it’s someone you are close with, however, Regan suggests considering a more in-depth answer such as: “I’ve been working on listening to my body and right now it’s telling me that I’ve had enough. I’ve enjoyed every bite and will come back for more whenever I’m ready. I’m no longer restricting myself so it’s much easier to stop when I’m comfortably full.”
5. “I like to fill my plate, but I also love leftovers, so I can always take the rest home with me.”
Particularly boundary-less family members might even critique how much food you’re enjoying, with comments like, “Are you really going to eat all that?” When this happens, one course of action is to ignore the remark and move on. Or, you can push back.
