Holiday Meal Script: When and How to Explain Your Food Choices
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By: Lindsay Taylor
Holiday get-togethers can be dicey, even uncomfortable, for those of us who eat a "weird" diet. Everyone has an opinion or a biting remark. As tempting as might be, you can't just holler, "I'm not weird, YOU'RE weird. I'M eating a SPECIES-APPROPRIATE DIET!" in Aunt Martha's face when she tries once again to put a biscuit on your plate.
You have to say something though, right? Or do you? When do you have to explain your food choices?
I'm tempted to say: Never. End of post.
By and large, your diet is nobody else's business. But communication is vital in relationships, and here's where it gets tricky. On the one hand, you don't owe anyone an explanation, and it's disrespectful on their part if they expect you to justify or defend your choices. Often, though, people are just concerned, confused, or simply curious. You don't owe these folks an explanation, but in the spirit of open communication, you might choose to offer them one.
General tips for keeping the peace:Keep it personal. You won't get as much pushback if you focus on how your diet makes you feel. Don't launch into a lecture about phytates or how soda is ruining our country's health. Nobody's looking for a lesson on leaky gut and inflammation during dinner.Don't overexplain yourself or get defensive. Keep it short and sweet, then move on.Don't try to convert them. If you start to proselytize, you're doing the same thing to them that they're doing to you. Your simple explanations will plant the seeds for anyone who's interested in learning more later.Don't get sucked into an argument. State firmly that you'd rather not discuss your diet. If the other person continues to challenge you, walk away (or, in 2020, leave the Zoom).Beyond that, the best strategy for dealing with diet queries depends on who's asking and why...
