Food Pushers

Last month, the focus was on spending time with family and enjoying the traditions, meals, and time together. This month, as parties start to increase in frequency and duration, many people find it harder to calm their anxieties. The hardest part for many is something that should come very easy to us, saying the word, “No.” While you certainly will sample old favorites and have a drink or two; truly being healthy means knowing when and where to exercise control of yourself, especially when in direct fire of a “food pusher”. A food pusher is a person that has good intentions deep down (think grandma), but will coerce you to consume food and drink until s/he feels you have consumed enough.

First of all, the worst approach to handling the phrase, “have another cookie/meatball/cocktail,” is to exclaim you are watching your weight. This only stirs up other questions and will likely extend the “push” at hand until said item has been consumed. The best phrases include focusing on what you can’t wait to dive into such as, “Wow, those green beans look divine,” or “I can’t wait to have seconds of the crudité.” Sayings such as this help calm the pusher into feeling like you want to consume, in mass quantity, other items at the party. Another trick to try, especially after the main dish has been served is, “I am so full; I can’t imagine another thing crossing my lips.”

Remember, if all else fails a simple, “no, thank you,” is polite and to the point. Enjoy the holidays!