Wow! You're Eating Again? How to Fire the Food Police.
/Do you ever feel like you’re being patrolled by the Food Police, whether it’s a family member, partner, friend, co-worker or even a stranger?
Food policing sounds something like:
Should you really be eating that?
Wow! You're eating again?
Are you sure you need another serving?
You sure can put it away!
I can't believe you're eating that!
Don’t you know how bad that is for you?
Dang! You must really be hungry!
Are you really going to eat all that?
Looks like you'll need to hit the gym tomorrow.
Someone's being naughty!
If you’ve ever been the victim of food policing, you know it’s never helpful. More often than not, it leaves you feeling humiliated, guilty, ashamed, angry, resentful or rebellious—or all of the above!
Regardless of the food cop’s intentions, you have the right to eat whatever you want—whenever, wherever and however you want it—without having your choices criticized, judged, ridiculed or questioned.
Fire the Food Police
When the Food Police show up, you may feel compelled to say something to them, perhaps set a boundary or reinforce one.
Of course, how you respond will understandably depend on the situation.
Many factors may dictate what you do or don’t say, such as the person commenting, how safe or comfortable you feel, how important it is to you, your mood, your energy level, or the environment you’re in.
If you do choose to respond, either in the moment or via a private conversation, text or email later, here are some replies to consider:
I know you mean well, but your comments aren’t helpful.
What I eat is none of your business.
I trust my body to tell me what it needs.
I trust myself to give my body what it needs.
Please don’t say negative things about my eating.
Yes, I’m going to eat it, and I won’t stand for being shamed for it.
Who hired you to police my eating? Please don't do it again.
You mind your own plate and I'll mind mine.
Your negative comments aren’t welcome here, now or ever.
You’re out of line. It’s absolutely not okay to criticize my food choices.
If you keep slamming my food choices, I won't eat with you anymore.
Say nothing, look at them strangely, then walk away to enjoy your food in peace.
Despite what our diet culture, including the Food Police, wants you to believe, you can be trusted to make your own food decisions. And, you never need to justify, defend, explain or apologize for your choices.
