how to answer

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
how to answer
6
Fri, 07-22-2005 - 10:37am
How do you answer people who criticize your being a vegetarian? We know a married couple and the man is critical of healthy eating lifestyles, like those who buy only organic foods, or who are vegetarian/vegan. He says organic foods are a waste of money. His own health is not that great to be honest. He doesn't exercise or eat properly and is about 50 lbs overweight. His wife is obese and can't walk properly. But he think their diet is superior to mine because they eat a lot of red meat.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2003
In reply to: leafygreens
Fri, 07-22-2005 - 11:55am

The man you're referring to sounds a lot like my husband! I'm anxious to read how others cope, to help me as well. There is a natural food store I like to go to called PCC, anytime dh sees the grocery bags I get the "organic is just another name for expensive" lecture. The only real coping mechanism I seem to implement is a sense of humor and, on occasion, a good long meditative walk. I see his point. I mean, w/o the nutritional education and drive to live better, be more healthy, I can't really blame him on his views. I like to choose my arguments carefully, and my hope is by being impassive and making conscious healthy choices when we are out togeter, perhaps he'll get curious and more receptive to my ideas. Thus alleviating my being a nag about his lifestyle. In the meantime, I do feel like I'm internalizing tons of guilt on maybe spending too much money. In the end, I guess its all about balance. Again, I'm curious to see how others have dealt.

~Jen~

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2004
In reply to: leafygreens
Fri, 07-22-2005 - 7:15pm

Well when people insult me about it I just say something about it being my choice and it is what I feel most comfortable doing.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

~*

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
In reply to: leafygreens
Mon, 07-25-2005 - 3:41pm
I am not sure what to say to people who criticize my diet. Its not so much the vegetarianism they criticize, its the organic foods, being health conscious, etc. To be honest some of it may be resentment that I can control my food choices, and they can't. If I had a child, I would tell people to mind their own business about what I feed my child.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
In reply to: leafygreens
Mon, 07-25-2005 - 3:44pm

Its hard to tell someone that they are overweight or don't seem so healthy. I mean I could say "yeah, but look at you and how big you are". But I can't say that because it would be rude. At the same time, they are being rude by criticizing my healthy eating habits. Its more socially acceptable to criticize someone for being a vegetarian/vegan, than to criticize someone for overeating or being overweight. That's what is so tricky. This man in particular has lashed out at me about ordering healthier menu items. Like corn tortillas instead of flour. Or a large salad as my entree. Etc, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2003
In reply to: leafygreens
Wed, 07-27-2005 - 8:26pm

For the last two years, people have been so shocked at what I can't eat than what I won't. Explaining that you can't eat wheat, barley, rye, oats, or the number of food additives derived from them because you have a disease they've never heard of... and then adding that you will not eat meat...


One thing I can tell people is that the chemical fertilizers only add the phospherous, nitrogen, and whatever the third is... One speculation for some of the chronic conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is that crops are containing less of the trace minerals and other good stuff that they have if fertilized with compost, manure, and so on. And there are others with fibro who have discovered that avoiding certain chemicals (I was raised by a biochemist so have to point out that the compost, etc, are made of chemicals, but I'll keep using the common usage of the word), especially the ones in cleaners, makes a huge difference in their health. Our medical situation may well just make us more sensitive but that doesn't mean that it's good for everyone else! Of course there are also those who believe that anyone who believes they have fibro, CFS, etc, is really a lazy hypochondriac, and pointing out that there are abnormalities in the bloodwork of CFS patients and in the spinal fliud of fibro patients doesn't seem to help.


I know what the body needs. I know how much protien I need. I know what vitamins and minerals I need. I have had extensive bloodwork done, in part to ensure that I really do have the half dozen or more disoreders I have and not a nutritional deficiency or such. I have a copper deficiency. It's a fluke, since the normal source for it is wheat and I have a disorder that causes the same symptoms as a deficiency so any lack is magnified several times. That is all. And I know that I am not injesting huge amounts of fats, and most of what I do eat is from sources like olive oil- which are actually good for you. I know that I am unlikely to have cholesterol issues. I have good genes, and if you look at my dad, who only eats meat a few times a week and is overweight, and my uncle, who eats a pretty good diet with "normal" meat consumption and is only 10 lbs or so overweight, it's my uncle who has the issues (if it was them who were related, not Mom and Aunt Karen, the arguement would be stronger- but Dad is amazingly healthy considering his weight. All his tests come back very well)


I believe I have the right to take care of myself. I know I will almost certainly end up in a wheelchair in a decade or so. I lost the genetic roulette, as my doctor said. But I intend to be a healthy woman in a wheelchair. Mom is constantly trying to lose weight to save her shoulders and arms from pulling her weight or transferring from chair to bed or wherever. And she doesn't have any other health issues. I have far too much at risk to take chances. Anyone who wants to gamble with their future is welcome to, but if I'm fighting all these issues at 26 what would my future be if I don't pay attention?



Jaseann



co-cl: Celiac Disease


co-cl: Vegetarian Living


People saying you look healthy doesn't men your symptoms aren't valid. Just because some physician didn't listen doesn't mean it's all in your head. Just because there is no definitive test yet doesn't mean the disease doesn't exist. You know you body- trust yourself!

Jaseann

co-cl-Celiac Disease

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
In reply to: leafygreens
Thu, 07-28-2005 - 4:58pm
I think everyone's body chemistry is different. I believe I am very deficient in chromium and that is why I take chromium picolinate supplements.