Food bullies
At Dr. Fuhrman's Weekend Immersion in Princeton, New Jersey last month, sharing scrumptious meals together with others was a highlight for me. That’s when I had the awesome opportunity to step away from my computer screen and interact with so many wonderful people from all over the country! I loved listening to the heartbeat of what’s happening in the day-to-day lives of those who’ve committed to a lifetime of eating for health, and especially those who were making the commitment to eat for health over the holidays.
Unfortunately, pushy in-laws and overbearing relatives and friends were a topic of discussion for many in overcoming obstacles during the upcoming holidays.
Hmmm, shall I be so bold to call these pushy relatives and friends, “Food bullies?”
Bullies have a strong need to control and dominate, and usually envy and resentment are at the root of their behaviors.
If a food bully’s intended target exhibits a “defeated attitude” in response to the pushiness, then the bullying is likely to continue.
However, as in most all cases with bona fide bullies, if the intended target responds with a clear attitude of self-confidence and a strong boundary line, the bully’s attempt to dominate will quickly diminish.
Recently I asked Dr. Fuhrman about food bullies, and the following was his response:
"One has to tell relatives and friends now, not later at the dinner table, that he/she is on a special, healthy diet prescribed by Dr. Fuhrman to lose weight and prevent cancer so don’t be offended that conventional foods will not be eaten at the holiday get-togethers.
Giving into food bullies is just another dysfunctional excuse to continue in food addiction. The inability to speak one’s feelings for fear of a reprimand is also toxic and may be cancer causing. By not addressing it, and by not taking a stand with pushy relatives and friends, giving into food bullies is ill-will and selfish; because one is not giving loved ones a chance to learn what they should be considering for their lives also; whether they do it or not."
How about you? Do you have a tangible plan of action to deal with the food bullies in your life this holiday season?
Related post:
Is pleasing Grandma ruining your health?
image credit: flickr by Dinner Series
