This post was originally published on December 6, 2016.
How often do you think about what you eat as being influenced more on social expectation than what your body needs? Does what other people think influence what you eat? When do other people have the right to have an opinion on what you eat?
The Saga Of Trying To Eat Healthy
I have had varying experiences when it comes to eating at conferences I attended for work, especially when they are catered. Do I pack food or take a gamble on what is offered?
Experience #1
I knew ahead of time that the first was catered and since it was my first day back to work I was all prepared and packed a lunch I kept in a cooler in the car. When the sessions broke for lunch, I went to see what was offered (standard fare: sandwiches, pasta salad, bread and cookies). I could have made myself some lettuce wraps with the luncheon meat (who knew what was in it) but I knew it wouldn’t be very filling so I went to the parking lot and ate my lunch by myself.
Experience #2
The second conference I took my chances (mostly due to being less prepared) and I packed some carrots and a nut bar hoping that what was provided would be enough. They did have some healthy snacks (I would hope so, it was at Fred Hutchinson) but lunch was a two salad option Mexican style (read: beans, cheese and nightshades) buffet. Basically, I had iceberg lettuce and carrots available (there was avocado originally but that was pretty much gone by the time I passed by in line).
Experience #3
But this last conference brought a new experience for me. I didn’t know for sure if the event was catered but I knew it was close to a grocery store that has healthy options so I again opted to take my chances. Maybe my coworker would want to go out for lunch? What I didn’t know was that the time allowed for the meal was a “working lunch” session with a great speaker presenting.
I went to where they were serving the food in hopes that there would be something I could work with and be able to stay for the session.
Nope.
It was a burrito already wrapped, prepared salad with dressing, and tortilla chips.
So, I left and drove to the store where I picked up some ready-made sushi, apple and greek olives from the deli and drove back to conference hoping I hadn’t missed much. As I was walking back in from my car, I was followed by another attendee coming from her own car.
As we both quietly snuck back in and found a place to stand along the back wall, she turned to me, saw I was eating from a bag and asked me a question I completely didn’t expect.
“Are you vegan? Gluten free?”
“Kind of, I’m paleo.”
She nodded and I asked her the same question. She replied, “I’m gluten-free. I had my lunch in my car.”
I smiled back at her in camaraderie.
There we were, just two “Gluten-Frees” standing in the back behind everyone else who was already sitting and eating together at the tables. So much for networking.
I know I can’t expect to be catered to everywhere I go, intolerant or not. I acknowledge that what was served was felt to be “healthy”. But there is just something about knowing that someone else is in the same boat you are and can empathize when you don’t follow normally accepted eating habits. It can be socially stigmatizing when you can’t “just follow along”.
I love these videos: I can laugh at myself. I’d like to think I’m not this bad but I’m sure it may seem like it at times!
Healthy Eating Is An Option We All Should Have
I know that how I eat is my choice for health but for many people it is not. I choose not to eat food with gluten because it makes me feel better but mostly because those foods usually are nutrient poor. There simply are better options for me to feed my body.
The thing that gets me to thinking is, how what we eat is more than just the nutrition it provides for our bodies. It has a social element, too. Whether or not you choose to eat something can hurt feelings, make you seem strange or cause conflict. It isn’t just food; it becomes a statement. Intentional or not.
What about choosing not to eat Aunt Betty’s homemade pie? Not being able to participate in Communion at church? Traveling with a group and feeling comfortable to ask for a restaurant choice you can eat at Sometimes I have the confidence to say, “No, thank you.” and sometimes I eat just to keep the peace.
What do you think?
Do you follow a diet that varies from the mainstream? Do you feel supported? How do you meet your specific health needs but also keep up with social expectations? Have you just eaten something so as not to draw attention to yourself or deal with the questioning? Tell me in the comments below!
P.S. It’s kind of fun to read up on some science around eating and social norms and compare it to your own experiences. We human beings are interesting things.
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