The crazy things people say

[HIlaryDilaryDock]

I walked into work this morning and someone shoved a plate of Peanut butter squares right in my face. After politely declining....twice, my other coworker tells her, "she's on a cleanse".

 

First -- I'm not on a cleanse, I just eat better than she does.

 

The peanut butter offender pipes in, "My daughter is a nutritionist and you have to eat a balanced diet - you will have to start adding things back in – it's not healthy".

 

I just looked at her and said, "Yes, there are definitely differing opinions and theories out there about diet".

 

My other coworker says, “you are eventually going to need to add in whole grains. How are you getting vitamins?â€

 

Seriously?  They need to mind their business. I didn't comment about the square of sugar they inhaled – they shouldn't comment about my eggs and apple for breakfast. Put me in such a pissy mood!

[earthangel077]

Earlier this week was my office Thanksgiving pot-luck lunch. Since everyone either brings a desert or pasta dish I clearly could not attend. While leaving the office to go out for lunch I was approached and asked why I wasn't going to the lunch. I told them that I couldn't eat grains, dairy, or sugar. They looked at me weird and then asked "What about those almonds you are eating if you are not eating grains?"

I politely pointed out that nuts are not grains and then laughed my head off on the elevator ride down to the lobby. 

[Physibeth]

 

 

My other coworker says, “you are eventually going to need to add in whole grains. How are you getting vitamins?â€

 

 

I would have challenged her to find a nutrient that is available in grains that is not available in fruits and vegetables. 

 

This is also somewhere I would have applied my new rule about asking people why they are bullying me.

[melbournegirl]

" You eat that for breakfast?" After I have mentioned i dont eat grains and dairy and they ask me what I have for brekky...

I'm like well if I don't eat grains and dairy then my first meal is the same as lunch or dinner, meat and vegetables.

In my mind....duh!

[AmyS]

I don't live or work with a group of folks who critique my eating habits, but I certainly enjoy this thread.     I had childhood allergies to most (all, maybe) of the Whole30 prohibited foods, so when I tell people I've discovered a way of eating that helps me eat very well and avoid those allergens, folks in my life are generally not just supportive, but they really cheer me on.  However, as I say, I love following this thread.  :lol:

[Bet]

I posted a bunch of pictures on FB of my 'gluten free Thanksgiving' and so many people commented on 'no stuffing!!!!!'.

 

I think stuffing is aptly named. Because it would make me feel too stuffed.

[Megan C.]

People assuming gluten-free can only mean you replace all your packaged franken food with more expensive gluten-free versions of the same garbage:

Friend: But all that gluten free stuff tastes like crap! 

Me: Yeah, a lot of it does which is why I don't buy it - among other reasons.

Friend: How do you eat sandwiches? *look of astonishment*

Me: I don't, I use a fork.  I guess sometimes I use lettuce cups or bell pepper slices as a vehicle for sandwich fixins'

Friend: *blank look*

 

Aunt: Cousin K went gluten-free thinking it would help her health but she said her stomach hurt terribly the entire time she was on it.

Me: Not surprising since she probably went nuts with gluten-free replacement products.

Aunt: Huh?

 

Relative: What causes gallstones?

Me: Packaged and processed foods… low-fat crap… caffeine...

Relative: *rolls eyes* You say that about everything.

Me: Because it's true.

 

A vegan retail clerk at a make-up store: Oh, you're a nutritional biologist?  Are you vegan?  I bet you're vegan.  I'm vegan.  Wouldn't you agree all that red meat and milk consumption are what's killing our society?

Me: *system overload - shocked silent*

 

Friend: I just can't eat bacon after seeing all that grease splattered on my stove last time I cooked it.  I picture it floating around in my veins.

Me: You know it doesn't really work that way.

Friend: Yeah, but I need to be healthy.

Me: *no response* (this friend KNOWS "low-fat" is a farce and agrees whole foods are superior to packaged... but won't consider giving up grain or dairy, even temporarily as an experiment, and still says things like this about fat and switches cream cheese out with low-fat greek yogurt in recipes to lower the calories.  I don't get it)

 

Friend: That broccoli cheese soup is loaded with fat.

Me: Even with cheese, it's probably a better choice than the noodles with flecks of chicken aka chicken noodle soup.  Besides, eating fat doesn't make you fat.

Friend: How do you figure?

Me: Biochemistry.

 

 

Friend: Are you still not eating good food?

Me: Don't be an ass. (this is a very good friend)

Friend: You were more fun before.  When will fun Megan come back and go out to eat with me?

Me: *no response* (this really burned)

 

Friend:  You should never deny yourself a treat if you've earned it.  Besides, it's not healthy to cut out entire food groups. 

Me: What about heroin?  Should I deny myself that special treat?  I'm sure I'd really enjoy it and I have worked exceptionally hard this week.

Friend: Don't be ridiculous.  I'm just saying moderation is the answer.

Me: Should I start smoking cigarettes again, in moderation?  I recall really enjoying them… I don't use tobacco at all and I assume I probably shouldn't have cut out all tobacco products altogether.

Friend: Do you have to be so difficult?

Me: Indeed.

 

Dad: One bite won't kill you.

Me: Right, but me not taking one bite won't kill you. *said jokingly with big smile*

Dad: (took this personally and didn't make eye contact with me rest of dinner.  there are other issues there mind you, but I thought this was quite silly)

 

In line for "healthy lunch" at work lunch 'n learn:

Me: *said under my breath but apparently too loudly* Shoot, it's breaded [chicken].

Coworker/friend: Oh, get over it!

Me: I HAVE CELIAC! (I don't, I'm sensitive/intolerant to gluten but do not have an autoimmune response.  I don't know why I yelled this... I felt attacked by this person I thought was my friend and was very frustrated. I was also super annoyed the lunch was advertised as "healthy lunch of Mediterranean chicken" and I find breaded chicken with oregano flakes as the only option.)

Coworker/friend: Oh, I didn't know that.

Me: (left thinking maybe I need to be more comfortable with my own choices so I can respond appropriately, or not a all, to snide remarks made by acquaintances and "friends" alike)

[Farback]

We recently had a major snow storm here, and we had a standby crew stay at the fire station for the day. (We're a volunteer department, I'm the Chief). We were getting some snacks from the grocery store to tide us over, and the people who were going shopping said' oh yeah, the Chief doesn't eat crap, what would you like?' I asked for some fruit. They came back with the usual processed garbage and a pack of green grapes and tangerines. I was happy to see by the end of the day that everyone had eaten all of the fruit and several bags of chips and other toxins remained unopened.

I occasionally, once every couple months, will have some Chinese food. Way off the reservation, but a treat. About 15 minutes after eating it a couple weeks ago, I said to my wife 'You know, for someone who eats the way I do, eating Chinese is like cheating on your wife. You immediately regret it.'

[Physibeth]

Friend: That broccoli cheese soup is loaded with fat.

Me: Even with cheese, it's probably a better choice than the noodles with flecks of chicken aka chicken noodle soup.  Besides, eating fat doesn't make you fat.

Friend: How do you figure?

Me: Biochemistry.

 

I'm totally using this response. Brilliant!

[bs89]

"Well you'll have to start eating normal again SOMETIME!"- coworkers

"Hey, I've been seeing the pictures of your whole30 food on Facebook. I think to myself; that doesn't even look like real food." -friend All my pics are of grass fed protein and delicious, colorful fruits and veggies....I want to know their idea of "real" food

"Aren't you Hungary, do you get enough to eat?"- family member

[luckylily]

 

...The placebo effect and confirmation bias has made this gluten-free fad an amazing financial success...

 

 

Ha yes! The assumption that because I am gluten free, I'm spending my money on more expensive processed foods labelled "gluten free" drives me insane. 

[luckylily]

I am newish to posting to the board and just spent a couple hours reviewing this thread - so hysterical!!

 

Here's my offering today:

MIL and FIL visit for the holidays. FIL is celiac, he eats gluten free, but otherwise SAD. He always brings his own gf bread when he visits.

 

MIL: Where's the margarine?

Me: We don't have margarine.

MIL with a shocked voice: Then what do you spread on bread?

Me: We don't have bread.

MIL: No wonder you are both so skinny! (Note: I'm actually overweight, but MIL is very obese even though she has had a gastric bypass, so she often calls me skinny.)

Me, ignoring the skinny comment: If you want something to spread, we have spreadable butter. (It is actually ghee, but I know she won't know what that is and will freak out and think it is weird).

MIL with her sad voice: Oh Chris, it just makes me want to cry to see that you eat butter, everyone knows cholesterol will kill you.

[Tina R]

Responses to crazy things people say

 

This forum is hilarious! I think I have heard every one of these crazy things. I was thinking about some responses that might be helpful in these situations.

 

1)      Thank You. Take the dessert that they are offering and toss it when they are not looking.

2)      You're right! – it is very hard for the person to keep disagreeing and arguing with you when you agree with them. This usually takes the wind out of their sail.

3)      Thanks for the info, I will discuss it with my doctor on my next visit

4)      I am allergic to ________. People would never give peanuts to someone with a life threatening peanut allergy (I hope) so this usually works.

5)      Wow, I never thought about that.

6)      ________ interferes with my medication – You might have to have the name of a medication on hand in case they ask.

7)      I am a diabetic. Most people understand that a diabetic can't have sugar and would hopefully not try to push you to eat their sugar filled treat.

8)      If I eat that I will have a hangover for the next few days.

9)       No thank you, I am over my points for the day.

10)   If you are at a party grab a fancy glass of sparkling water and put an olive or two in it or some fruit. People will stop asking you why you are not drinking.

 

We also have to remember that most people do not understand our “Crazy†diet because they don't have to deal with it. They don't understand that if you eat that piece of pizza you will have a pizza hangover for the next three days. They also have no idea what gluten or dairy is and they don't want to take the time to read and educate themselves so they would rather just call your way of eating “Crazyâ€.

 

I think a lot of people would rather take a pill to deal with the symptoms then to try to find out the cause. I have some friends that take steroids to reduce the inflammation that is causing them pain, even though they have major side effects. When I suggest that they try changing their diet for two weeks and maybe they would feel better they say “I can't give up my cheese, crackers and wineâ€. Or friends who live off antacids, when I suggest that they might want to try and avoid those foods that are causing the problem, they say, “I just take _______ and I feel betterâ€. 

[Farback]

Here's another response;

" if I eat that, the voices come back."

They'll walk away.

[Elizabeth!]

Coworker: I can't eat that kind of food. 

Me:  What Kind of food? Meats and vegetables?

[Gaileo]

 

8)      If I eat that I will have a hangover for the next few days.

 

My favorite variation of this that really shuts people up: "If I eat that, I will regret it for weeks." Usually they understand the gravity of the situation at that point, but if they still push it, I go into a little bit of detail about my potential digestive distress and NO ONE wants to hear that 

 

I also have a coworker that always brings lots of chocolate to work to share. He is really extreme about pushing it on people. I've given up fighting it; at this point I just thank him and take a piece. Then I either take it home to my husband or give it to a different coworker. 

 

Edit: I also meant to say I am glad to see this thread is still kicking around, it is one of my favorites and I haven't been around for a while. 

[mchavez]

When discussing why I choose to eat a healthy diet and avoid processed food with an overweight coworker (who is quite up front about his love of junk and poor health)

 

Me: I would rather not eat something that contains ingredients that I have to Google to identify. (referring to International Delight coffee creamers that stock our office fridge in multiple flavors)

Him: But that's what makes it taste good!

Me: Well I don't really think it does. Plus I want make sure I am healthy and around for my kids for a long time.

Him: But you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I would rather die happy.

Me: *eye roll* If that helps you sleep at night...

 

And he has a young child...

[Physibeth]

When discussing why I choose to eat a healthy diet and avoid processed food with an overweight coworker (who is quite up front about his love of junk and poor health)

 

Me: I would rather not eat something that contains ingredients that I have to Google to identify. (referring to International Delight coffee creamers that stock our office fridge in multiple flavors)

Him: But that's what makes it taste good!

Me: Well I don't really think it does. Plus I want make sure I am healthy and around for my kids for a long time.

Him: But you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I would rather die happy.

Me: *eye roll* If that helps you sleep at night...

 

And he has a young child...

 

I guess the next response would be "well I am happy so two birds with one stone" or something like that. I wish it was easier to get across to people that giving up processed garbage doesn't make life miserable and in fact often makes life that much more enjoyable.

[EatTrainClean]

Wow, best topic ever. I feel I could fill this entire thread with things people have said to me. It doesn't help when you're single and dating AND you're a personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist (lots of steel cut oats and peanut butter pushers around me).

 

On a first date, within 10 minutes of meeting:

Her: "Do you take steroids?"

Me: "..."

 

Giving a nutrition seminar:

Her: "But what about lentils?"

Me: "Well, technically lentils are a legume so they wouldn't be a best choice, in my opinion, as we already covered."

Her: "But I really like them."

Me: "Okay, well it just comes down to personal choice then. Whether you want to continue eating them or not, is a personal choice."

Her: "But now I can't."

Me: "..."

 

Dealing with my stubborn (but lovable) grandmother over the holiday. She hasn't eaten vegetables for years, and is now seeing ill health effects. My mom literally asked me to send her a list of foods to eat, even after she went to a nutritionist (they told her to drink Ensure...sigh.)

[scenario: I'm eating 2 grassfed hot dogs, kale, eggs, and chicken, cooked in coconut oil. She stares at me like she is dying to say something.]

Her: "Is that your breakfast!?"

Me: "...Yes."

Her: "All that fat can't be good for you!"

Me: "Well, actually, saturated fat...nevermind."

 

At dinner, later that night, she eats a small portion of steak, with no vegetables, and endlessly complains of how badly she feels. Thank God she's lovable. 

 

Also legit had someone break up with me because I wouldn't eat Italian food or drink alcohol. Not after like a few dates. This was after over a month of dating. Previously claimed that 'I like you because you're like a genius at nutrition.' Sigh.

 

While training clients, I commonly get asked for nutrition suggestions, and I routinely say something paleo, and they get a big smile and say 'is that what YOU eat?' and wink. Suggestively. The most depressing part is they are always married. It's always the ones you think are genuinely good people, with kids and what not. Barf.

 

At family functions I've gotten...

 

"Well I'm really going to lose weight, I've been doing Insanity a lot so now I can eat more chocolate cake all the time and not feel bad!"

 

Them: "I really want to lose weight. What's the best way to do it?"

Me: "Well you really want to re-think what and how you eat. Nutrition will play a much bigger role than exercise."

Them: "Well I really just want a six pack." (Ed. Note: Oh boy, do you get this one a lot!)

Me: "Well that's really a body fat issue. If you lose weight (specifically fat) you will be able to see the ab muscles you already have."

Them: "...this sounds like a lot of work. I thought you could just give me a pre-workout to take or something. Thanks though. I'm really going to do it this time."

 

About 15 seconds elapses, and then I watch them go grab 2 slices of chocolate cake.

 

[jodea]

"I just don't understand why you would do that to yourself!" This was uttered last night by a colleague who trained 6 days a week for a year, and barely drank any alcohol in that time, preparing for an Ironman. If she doesn't understand, who will!

Oh, and my best friend freaked out and practically threw a tantrum today when I said I won't be drinking at her birthday gathering next week. Good to know I'm such bad company sober!

[sjosey77]

I guess the fact that I was eating a ton of veggies made a female coworker ask, "Are you eating for you and the baby?"

 

First of all, I AM NOT PREGNANT, nor do I look pregnant.  

Second: I would never say that to another female even if she was pregnant. 

Third: We are not even friends so she has no reason to speak to me as if it is ok to say whatever is on her mind.

Four: She is much larger than me (I know petty but she just called me pregnant)

Fifth: It took everything I had not to say a snarky comment back about her health. (The comment was incase you were wondering , "Gee, I guess we all can't have your girlish figure and be as fit as you while eating that"  

 

Rant over.

[Roz Griffiths]

Speechless!!

[Nadia B]

Friend reaching out to a fridge, while I am arranging food on the plates for dinner (roasted cauliflower with chicken). 

 

- I am making some garlic butter to HEALTHIFY my meal (bursts out laughing)

- /no reaction from me 

- Nadia, I said a JOKE

- Ehhm ok

- /rolling eyes/ God, you and your "fat doesn't make you fat"

 

Note: He is clearly not on whole30. Butter is not compliant on whole30. Ghee is. Just making sure noone will get confused by my post. 

[Derek`]

Since the recent U.S. News, and subsequently CNN.com, article ranking paleo really low among "diets," people keep pointing this out to me.  The author of the article gave it bad marks for not being sustainable because it's too restrictive. 

 

Better stick to something less restrictive, like Slim Fast.   

 

I can't put enough eyeroll emoticons on this post today...

[Sarah T]

Since the recent U.S. News, and subsequently CNN.com, article ranking paleo really low among "diets,"

 

That article made me irrationally angry. Like "throw the paper across the room" angry (thankfully I remembered it wasn't a paper but my computer, and refrained from doing so). 

 

It makes me so sad that people think eating real food is bad for you. This world has just gone to heck...