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Wow, that is really audacious. I would flip it back on them and take the opportunity to really soapbox. Bring in articles, visuals.
“I am actually really glad that you guys brought this up with me because I have just been dying to tell you about the amazing benefits that eating raw can bring. Generally I don’t like to push it on people until they really show an interest, but as you guys seem to want to know all about it, let me tell you. I have to admit that I have been a little concerned about your health and size as well.”
If not, as mentioned before, to let them know that it is not their place, instead of saying it is religious thing, say it is due to a health problem. Diabetics never get shit for the way they have to eat. Just tell them that you have to eat this way for health reasons. Which is true. I think it is wild that they would do that to you at a job. Jeez.
I think it’s important to remember that most people say something because they are truly concerned- not because they are trying to be malicious. I had a difficult time with my last pregnancy- very low iron and, despite all efforts to get my levels back up, it just kept dropping. I had to transfer care from my mid-wife to a high risk doctor. I was hounded by nurses and the doctor that it was my diet ( I wasn’t raw, just vegetarian and my iron levels were always great when I wasn’t pregnant) and that I was putting the baby at risk. I finally agreed to take a presciption that was made with cow’s blood and had wonderful results for people with low iron (please understand I was trying to do what was best for baby- I was pretty scared- doctors were talking about transfusions after delivery and the inability to produce breastmilk when it came time to nurse). It turns out my problem is absorption during pregnancy, so I could eat 50 steaks a day and still have problems with my iron. I took those damn pills and they didn’t do a thing to help. Fortunately, I was able to have a normal delivery (with my midwife) and everything turned out okay.
My whole point to this story was that I was pretty mad that so much was taken out of my control during pregnancy (I come from a belief that pregnancy is natural- not a medical conditon) and that I had all these “professionals” labelling me a difficult patient because I fought so hard for my beliefs (I knew I was taking enough iron). People were constantly at me to go eat meat- that it would solve everything. In retrospect I see the concern was partly due to their training, partly from their ignorance to nutrition, and partly as a genuine desire to help others. I think the same can be applied to your case- people just don’t know any better. Just try not to get too angry (like I did- it’s a terrible waste of your energy) and remember it’s because they care!
What bothers me most is, why aren’t they calling in obese people and asking them about THEIR eating disorders? Heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol problems – these are some of the biggest risk factors today, all due to being overweight and eating a standard AMerican diet.
You should all go to Mercola.com and watch the video there – it’ll give you a laugh and some food for thought.
I don’t think your coworkers are being busybodies, or are they jealous or malicious. Eating disorders are very real and many of us who follow ‘non-standard’ diets, especially if we change appearance in a short period of time can draw attention from people who mean well. It would be a good idea not to get defensive or angry with people who do mean well (or if a company wellness policy means they officially want their employees healthy).
But ask yourself these questions:
1) are you eating raw in order to be thinner?
2) Are you happy with your body the way it is or do you look in the mirror and say “I wish I could lose a few pounds”? Be honest.
3) Do you think about food a lot (raw or not) and are you hungry a lot, without letting yourself eat?
4) Do you frequently feel guilty about food you do eat? Even if it’s raw?
5) Are you brutally anal about measuring and controlling portions? Do you feel ‘fat’ or unhappy about your appearance?
6) Does strong control over food take precedence over other factors in your life? Do you feel a lot of pride over controlling your food intake and feel emotionally weak if you slip up?
Of course the biggest eating disorder of all is eating way too much crappy food. But on the other hand, eating raw and taking care of your health is admirable, warning signs can occur. If you answered yes to more than one or two of those questions, then look into things more closely. It doesn’t mean you are a bad person, but it does mean that food issues apart from health are playing a part in a raw food lifestyle and help is available.
I don’t want any raw foodists, or anyone, punishing themselves when we are all beautiful and healthy human beings.
Take care!
joseegonthier,
Eating disorders are real. Cargo discusses it well in his post. For this post, I am assuming that you are healthy. What is your BMI? Is it in the healthy range? Just tell them, here is my BMI, it is in the healthy range, I don’t have any health issues, etc..
According to the World Health Organization, there is a worldwide obesity epidemic . I am sure your workplace is full of overweight people. You can ask your HR person whether they have pulled all of them as well. Obesity and overweight are so common nowadays that people don’t think twice about it. Yet, these are serious conditions.
Also, as others have noted, the HR person is probably genuinely concerned. So, thank them for their concern, etc.
looking at your picture, you look beautiful. people with eating disorders look pale, weak, they lose their hair, poor circulation results in a bleu tint to their hands and feet. they also isolate, and tend to be very non social. you look great, your company has a problem with that? too bad for them…..
my source is my own expirience with an ED.
I have a similar problem at work, there is always jokes for my behalf about my mostly vegan lifestyle (I have back-slid) from time to time, and now with the raw diet.
I have been sick a very long time and have moved to vaganism and now raw food to try and correct those problems. Whenever I feel ill, due to rising blood sugar, or pain from arthritis in my neck and spinal chord their response is always the same. It’s because I don’t eat meat. Pure ignorance. I have been diabetic for 8 years, a vegan for 6 months and a raw foodist for a a few weeks.
But I let them have their jokes, all I know is that in the last 6 months I went from 190 to 155 lbs (my doctor is encouraging 10 more lbs for my ideal weight) and my sugar levels are starting to improve. So I think I’ll stick with this.