How do you respond to nay-sayers?

[singlemom]

My question is, how do you respond to people that say a generic 'that's not good for you' when you tell them you eat lc? Obviously I've read up on the issues and I know this is better for me than a high carb, low fat diet, but sometimes you don't have ten minutes to go into the scientific stuff. Please share your quick answers and responses you use when somebody in your life says this. It happened to me today at work and I wish I had a couple short things to say to defend my way of eating, instead I just shrugged and walked away. I don't care to convert the world but I DO want to be able to explain myself. Thanks!

[Paris]

I used to do the round and round with people, now I just eat.

If they bring up my food and/or weight loss, I say that "I endeavor to eat healthy" and/or "thank you, yes, I've lost some weight."

[acwakip]

I think that "you do it your way, I'll do it mine." is the best response when you don't have time to argue science.

My mom is apprehensive about me LCing since I did Atkins before and quit. Therefore gaining my 30 pounds lost plus another 13. She thinks it is LCing's fault. I don't get the logic, but she is just concerned. I tried explaining to her that it was MY fault and my habits that caused me to gain back all the weight. She thinks it is the diet.

Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and go on. Results will convince them. And if they don't, the person wasn't going to be swayed by your argument anyway.

[Ayustar]

If anyone I know asks why I eat like that...they should know. I mean if I lost 60 + it must have worked, right? Usually that is all I say. No one can believe it. They always look at me like I am nuts.

[Samantha22]

Now that i'm a little more comfortable with the LC way of eating...and i'm a little more knowlegdable on its benefits....i just smile and say "I dont want to eat what you're eating..i've lost 60+ pounds eating this way....i like it and dont wish to go back to my old ways of eating".....if they're actually interested...you'll know..if not...screw em..it aint worth your breath and energy.

[singlemom]

Samantha that sounds like a good reply, thank you!
Thanks for the replies but I have one point here...not every way of losing weight is healthy for your body and organs, etc. So just saying 'I lost 60 pounds so it must be good for me' is not a good argument in my opinion. A bulemic person may have lost 100 lb by throwing up but that doesn't make it healthy for their bodies. Yes, you're right, I don't owe anybody an explaination for the way I eat, but I WANT to have one lol...know what I mean? It just would be nice to be able to compress it all and articulate it in a thoughtful way for those people who DO care to listen...thanks for replying :)

[Ayustar]

But ....if they see the way we are eating then they know we aren't throwing up right? Unless we are lying to them lol. If they are aware of the eating style. Just tell them it is the only way you can lose weight and it has worked for alot of people. I tell people that diabetics control their problems with it too. Pretty much say that sugar is no good for me. That is it. Why would I change my eating habits just to gain back the weight again? That seems counterproductive, if you ask me.

[bigted]

I am insulin resistant - pre diabetic call it what you like but my body and carbs don't agree. I keep it simple and I say I am diabetic and I keep it under control by being very careful about what I eat. I don't feel like I am lying as I know that if I eat a standard NA diet I would be diabetic and in serious trouble in very short order.
Generally I feel it's no-ones business except mine and I don't try to convert the naysayers. I just like to marvel at how much food is out there is masquerading as healthy when most folks wouldn't recognize healthy food if it sat up and bit them.

[kwikdriver]

Here's how I would handle this.

Suppose you are eating a low carb burger -- one of the ones that are just like a regular hamburger, but they are wrapped in lettuce. If someone starts talking about how unhealthy it is, ask them this question:

"Would it be better for me if I ate the bun and some french fries with it?"

My guess is it will end the discussion quickly. You can do the same thing almost no matter what you're eating. "Would it be better if ate this and added a baked potoato?" "Would you think it was better if, after eating steak and broccoli, I had a piece of cake for dessert?" The variations are endless, and easily tailored to whatever you eat.

[singlemom]

Great point Kwik. What about when people say 'your body needs carbohydrates'....to what extent is that true?

[Ayustar]

I don't see how it NEEDS them. I don't feel tired, shakey or weak without them.

I just tell them "Sugar converts to energy...I am not a marathon runner and my metabolism doesn't enjoy sugar so much, so it turns it to fat."

[ProfGumby]

The best I have ever found is to tell them you are doing this under Dr's Supervision.....

Shuts em up every time. :cool:

[kwikdriver]

Great point Kwik. What about when people say 'your body needs carbohydrates'....to what extent is that true?

"No it doesn't." Is a little rude, but under certain circumstances perfectly appropriate. Or how about this:

"Your body needs carbohydrates."

"I get plenty in all the vegetables I eat."

Kind of puts the lie to the "low carbing is about eating meat" thing.

If they persist in being churlish and say something like, "You need more than that," then it's easy to say, "No I don't," or, "Really? How do you know how much I need?"

When going in to these things, I think it's important to stay away from the idea that it's a verbal chess game, and feeling as if you need to plan out everything you say in advance. In chess there's a limited number of moves an opponent can make in response to anything you do; in life, the array of stupid and ignorant things people can say is infinite, and trying to have an answer for everything will drive you crazy. So it's best, I think, to have an approach: turn everything back on the ignorance of your questioner. "How do you know?" "What should I be eating?" People don't like having their ignorance exposed and will learn to give it a rest. And for those who persist, simply flat out disagreeing with them and cutting them off is like a verbal fly swatter.

[Yaberhoo]

I have always liked: "I'm allergic to high levels of carbs. They make me puff up."

[Aquamarina]

I say something similar to Yaberhoo. "I'm allergic to sugar." Btw I have never mentioned the word Atkins. When we eat with friends my bf asks the perfect question : "CAN you eat this?" implying that there are medical reasons for not eating this. (Which btw is true, but that's another story :) )

[Nancy LC]

I find that breaking into song and singing, at the top of your lungs, "I did it my way" is usually the best way to short circuit this sort of conversation.

[Samantha22]

All very good ideas! I'm often one to say "I can't have the sugar"....and most people say..."oh..you're diabetic"....and i reply with a simmple "Yep"....who's going to argue with you on that one? even tho i'm not a diabetic..lol

[Beeblebrox]

I sometimes play the vegetable card:

"I eat more vegetables now than I ever have. Do you eat a lot of vegetables?"

[Beeblebrox]

Great point Kwik. What about when people say 'your body needs carbohydrates'....to what extent is that true?

For most people, a simple response of "Why?" would probably shut them up! They don't know the answer, and they don't even know what a carb is. I've found that many people think carbs are just grain products, potatoes and the like. Sugar never pops into their heads.

[CindySue48]

Depends. Most people don't really ask. If they do, I simply say I avoid processed foods and refined carbs. I also say that I don't worry about fats as long as they're natural and fresh. I don't mention grains unless asked specifically and then say I eat them only a few times a month.

If anyone persists, I simply say that it works for me....has allowed me to loose weight, stop several medications and "improve" my lipid levels.

If people persist, THEN I start spouting pro-LC articles, research, etc.....if all else fails, bury them in facts. :lol:

[JaneDough]

Here's how I would handle this.

"Would it be better for me if I ate the bun and some french fries with it?"


Oooooh...I am lovin' that! Much better than my cattier, "Oh, so you've tried this plan after reading the book and consulting your doctor?"

[DietSka]

I stopped bothering detailing the plan and explaining my food choices. If someone has their mind made up about LC you can go all day long about how many vegetables you're eating and the numerous health benefits... they will still believe you're killing yourself. True story: I was in a restaurant with this person who believes Atkins in dangerous. When my grilled salmon and sauteed broccoli arrived he remarked in disbelief: "oh that looks so HEALTHY!". To which I replied "but it's Atkins and it's going to kill me!". Do you think he got the message? I doubt it, after all, my radiant health or my food choices as a layman don't hold up to "the experts", you know, all that media garbage that gets so much credit.

[jun keater]

I NEVER tell anyone I am "doing low carb". I say high protein! They NEVER have a problem with that!!

[singlemom]

Lots of great thoughts and ideas, thanks! I'm glad I started this thread.

[Mousesmom]

I usually stick with "I eat this way because I have allergies" or if it's someone I don't know or like, "What do you care?". That stops MOST people, but not all. Some who remember my LF/HC days still question me. To them I say, "I used to be fat and sick on LF/HC, on LC I am healthy, which do you like better?" That stops them too.

Last night my SO was giving me a hard time for turning down fried rice at a family dinner. My answer to him was, "What do you care if I don't eat it, leaves more for you!"

Julie

[galatia]

I read on a thread where this topic was discused and someone said that they just say something like "This is my chosen form of suicide." I thought that was so funny. I tried to find where I read it, because it really was quite funny. But I can't find it now. :)

[littlejohn]

You guys are too polite.

I say: "Hey I have lost 80 pounds, normalized my blood pressure and cholesterol. My skin in much improved. I now exercise regularly including weight lifting. I feel better, look better and lab tests prove I am better. What were you saying about this not being healthy?!!"

But I do like the "I did it my way" idea. And to less hostile questions I am polite. And I find when I had lost 30 pounds there were more critics than there are now at 80. After a year and 80 pounds maybe I do know what I am doing.