How to Eat Healthy and Not Alienate People

1. Be an Includer Making lunch for yourself? Make a little more than usual and invite a friend to have a taste. When they get to taste your healt…

At Lifesum, we’re obviously big fans of healthy eating. The thing is though, there’s a good way and a bad way to get about it. You can be a person who is mindful of the way they eat in a way that’s impressive but inspiring, rather than intimidating, or you can be a person who is mindful of what they eat and somehow makes those who don’t feel a little guilty, negligent, or just plain uncomfortable. Here’s how not to do that.

1. Be an Includer

Making lunch for yourself? Make a little more than usual and invite a friend to have a taste. When they get to taste your healthy but still edible and delicious food, they’ll get their own silent revelation that healthy can be delicious, without you having to prove it to them.

2. Don’t feel like you owe anyone explanation

Businesswoman try to maintain a healthy diet

It can be tempting to explain why you do everything the way you, or why you eat what you eat. Resist. If friends and family are asking questions, go ahead and answer them, but if not, it can feel preachy to constantly be explaining the motivation behind everything you do.

3. Try to understand normal perspective

When you find your healthy mojo and develop a different way of thinking about food and fitness, it’s easy to forget that you were ever anything but healthy. Remember that others are back where you were, and try not to sound like you’ve found the light and their sitting in the dark. Think different, rather than better.

4. Don’t be afraid to eat out

overhead view on people clinking wine glasses at christmas table with traditional german food

While it might seem like a challenge to adjust to a healthy lifestyle and still go out to eat with friends, it’s easier than you think. If you’re counting calories, try to save the majority of calories for the meal out, stick with water, and if you’re particularly nervous about it you can call ahead and ask about the calorie content of different entrees. If your diet restricts or limits certain types of foods, such as carbs, it definitely pays to look at the menu ahead of time and work out which options you have, and where you might need to make some swaps.

What are some other ways you think you can practice healthy eating and still stay in touch with friends and family?

All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice. If you have or think you are at risk of developing an eating disorder, do not use the Lifesum app and seek immediate medical help.