How to Handle Food Comments
Unsolicited comments about your food choices are not something you want to hear any day of the year.
“That’s so good of you to not go for seconds.”
“I admire your willpower to not eat that.”
“Should you really be eating that?”
“I wish I could eat dessert like you.”
“Seconds, huh?
“Wow, I never thought you’d eat that.”
“You barely ate anything, have some more.”
Here’s how to go about handling these types of comments:
First decide when to say something and when to let it go.
If it’s a comment that really doesn’t impact you and you don’t want to engage in the conversation, try changing the subject and talking about something else that doesn’t have to do with food or body image. At the end of the day, you really don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Have a response ready for when someone crosses your boundary.
If you do decide to say something, having some responses ready can be super helpful and empowering and help you get the point across in an intentional way. Here are some suggestions:
“Thanks for your concern, but I have a great doctor already.”
“I’d really prefer not to talk about my body or what I’m eating.”
“I’m really trying to not talk about food or bodies in a negative way, it’s just not helpful.”
“Thank you for offering. It looks great but I’m actually feeling satisfied already.”
“Healthy for me means listening to my body and not being concerned about other people’s opinions.”
“Good for you, not for me.” < my favorite
“Yeah, I've stopped stressing about food and my weight and it’s been great.”
“I’m really happy with what’s on my plate right now.”
Remind yourself that everything is okay.
If the comment gets to you and you’re feeling particularly vulnerable (I’m so sorry you have to go through this to begin with) here are some affirmations and mantras I find helpful:
“I trust my body to guide my choices.”
“I treat body with respect and nourish it with what it asks for.”
“The foods I choose to eat do not impact my self worth.”
“I am loved for who I am, not what I eat.”
Let me know which of these you like the most and if you have any others that have worked for you!
If you’re looking for a safe space where you can learn how to let go of dieting for good, enjoy food without guilt, and turn exercise into something you love to do rather than something you “have” to do, submit a client application to get in contact with me! I work with clients virtually all over the world helping those who are frustrated with dieting and want to change their relationship with food and themselves.
Hi, I’m Azul Corajoria, an Integrative Health Coach, Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor. I support my clients in making step-by-step changes so that they can live a healthy and balanced life. By recognizing the interdependent roles of mindset, nutrition, and movement I educate and hold my clients accountable for achieving their health goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments with an emphasis on self-care. Together, we navigate the contradictory world of nutrition through intuitive eating, practice mindful movement, and implement small mindset and lifestyle shifts that empower them to be their best selves in the easiest way possible.
