How do you deal with someone who makes food their entire identity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

I’m a scientist as well. And no one here is being ignorant. You can cook, eat and follow whatever science you want. But no one needs to hear about it. That’s the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really still drink pop?

What is pop?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really still drink pop?

I love it!!!!!

I just gave it up because of the chemicals. I still love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just don't offer them stuff and keep the conversation on other things.

It’s inevitable when we go out to eat together. Ordering is madness.

And that affects you how?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people really still drink pop?

I love it!!!!!

I just gave it up because of the chemicals. I still love it.

Do you don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people really still drink pop?

What is pop?

It's a regional colloquium for soda pop - can be soda, pop, soda pop, fizzy drink, or whatever - english nor your first, second or third language? You can use context clues to understand.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do food things, nod and smile and change the subject if you’re not interested in their health bugbears

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just don't offer them stuff and keep the conversation on other things.

It’s inevitable when we go out to eat together. Ordering is madness.

And that affects you how?

DP
It’s probably annoying as fück. No one needs to be lectured about someone else’s food choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

Oh, FFS, it's not about brutal ignorance, research scientist.

Eat however the heck you want. You can do most of these things while having the self awareness to spare your dining companions the lengthy commentary on all of it (which I know is possible, because I do it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

Or maybe you shouldn’t discuss it because we don’t care. Seriously not trying to be snarky but your kids IBS and pre diabetic diagnosis isn’t really my problem. As a parent you need to be concerned with these things but it isn’t the responsibility of others. What do you want from these others? Should we all do exactly what you are doing in solidarity? I mean leave me alone with my Diet Coke and little Debbie’s. I’m not making you eat them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just don't offer them stuff and keep the conversation on other things.

It’s inevitable when we go out to eat together. Ordering is madness.

I would avoid that. Go for a walk instead. I'd do the fade to a large extent too. IME, this food obsession or exercise obsession often masks an untreated anxiety disorder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

I’m a scientist as well. And no one here is being ignorant. You can cook, eat and follow whatever science you want. But no one needs to hear about it. That’s the issue.

It's because OP is pushing back, probably. Acting all surprised, etc. If you don't give any air to a person's particular hobby, they generally tend to get the message, unless they're neurodivergent. In that case, you need to verbalize: "It's OK, really. You don't need to explain your choices, Mabel. What book have you been reading, lately?"

[Anonymous]

I have a relative like this. Kosher, Vegetarian, no white sugar or white flour or dairy...and now it is Passover. I think Passover just amps up her food focus. We are of course all entitled to eat as we wish but it is hard to entertain ..and yes I would mostly be happy if I did not have hear about it all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

I’m a scientist as well. And no one here is being ignorant. You can cook, eat and follow whatever science you want. But no one needs to hear about it. That’s the issue.

+1 I am a scientist too and I agree with pp. Also being a research scientist doesn’t make you an expert on everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is dealing with a kid anaphylactic to nuts who is also prediabetic, and a kid with IBS symptoms for whom we're trying to eliminate then reintroduce foods. Our cooking has had to dramatically change over the years. We used to be "eat-anything" sort of people.

We are now trying to eat less sugar, less refined carbs, and yes, I am concerned with microplastics in our environment, because I'm a research scientist and I happen to follow endocrine changes in populations as they relate to environmental modifications.

But since I know there are brutally ignorant people like OP out there, I don't ever discuss it. We do what we need to do. You do whatever the heck you want. End of story.

Or maybe you shouldn’t discuss it because we don’t care. Seriously not trying to be snarky but your kids IBS and pre diabetic diagnosis isn’t really my problem. As a parent you need to be concerned with these things but it isn’t the responsibility of others. What do you want from these others? Should we all do exactly what you are doing in solidarity? I mean leave me alone with my Diet Coke and little Debbie’s. I’m not making you eat them.

This! It’s hilarious that PP doesn’t discuss it because “people are ignorant.” Please. No one GAF about your family’s eating habits. THAT’S why you don’t discuss it.