Guest guest Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Hello, I've found that when I mention ahead that my diet is vegan, some people tend to project obsession onto me because I don't eat what they eat. I think they mistakenly think discrimination is obsession. One common comment is that is must be hard to shop. Well food is something we should take in to nourish us and there's no need to obsess over it. Be thankful for the life-sustaining properties it has and enjoy it, then go about your work full of energy and life! Ron , Jeff Rogers <jeff wrote: > > While " Orthorexia Nervosa " is actually about obsession, some may > actually judge raw foodists as having the disorder simply because we > choose healthful raw foods. Making such choices certainly doesn't > require obsession, just choices! I spend less time thinking about food > (one of the " symptoms " ) now, than before I was raw and before I was > vegan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I find that people don't project obsession or anything negative on me when I don't use labels and limit my explanations about why I eat a low fat raw vegan diet. I usually avoid calling myself vegan, and instead say that I enjoy eating fruits and veggies over everything else. I don't go into the moral reasons or into the health reasons. If they ask questions and uncover that I do eat a vegan diet (without me using that word) and show concern over whether or not I get enough nutrition, I explain matter of factly that I used to have lots of health problems when I ate a healthy vegetarian diet and a healthy carnivorous diet. They can see in my eyes and in my energy that I am healthy and vibrant, so when I tell them that those have all disappeared since I started eating this way, they often leave it alone. I noticed that the tone of voice and the matter of fact manner in which I speak really impacts how people respond. I usually add that I don't object to others eating however they wish to eat and respect each individual's personal decision. If I don't speak this way, people can get self-conscious about their junk-food laden diet and/or feel like I am disapproving of the manner in which they eat (which is uncomfortable for them). The more selective I am about my words (and the less I say) in a manner of fact manner, the less they ask questions from a non-open standpoint or push and the more they become open to the fact that maybe this diet can work for some people. Rarely will I share further nowadays. I will if someone has a sincere interest and a really open mind. And I watch for cues in their body language and their words about how far I should go into explaining. Ron, I think it's great how you respond by educating them in a positive manner. -Caroline Ron Koenig Sunday, September 07, 2008 6:34 PM Re: 20/20 - Obsession Hello, I've found that when I mention ahead that my diet is vegan, some people tend to project obsession onto me because I don't eat what they eat. I think they mistakenly think discrimination is obsession. One common comment is that is must be hard to shop. Well food is something we should take in to nourish us and there's no need to obsess over it. Be thankful for the life-sustaining properties it has and enjoy it, then go about your work full of energy and life! Ron , Jeff Rogers <jeff wrote: > > While " Orthorexia Nervosa " is actually about obsession, some may > actually judge raw foodists as having the disorder simply because we > choose healthful raw foods. Making such choices certainly doesn't > require obsession, just choices! I spend less time thinking about food > (one of the " symptoms " ) now, than before I was raw and before I was > vegan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Exactly. It seems obsessive because we are trying to be healthy in a culture inundated with unhealthy people and choices. We seem too " picky " at restaurants, social gatherings, etc. But if we just eat " a little bit " of unhealthy food every time we're in a situation with others, in order to appear less obsessive, pretty soon we're eating a lot of unhealthy food overall. And it can be hard to just eat a small amount (remember the Lay's potato chips slogan, " Bet you can't eat just one, " or something?). But most of the society doesn't understand how addictive so many of the foods are. This lifestyle choice is literally like being an alcoholic and having people trying to get you to drink constantly, and criticizing you for not having " just one drink. " (At times, anyway...!) Laurie , " Ron Koenig " <theveganking wrote: > > Hello, > I've found that when I mention ahead that my diet is vegan, some > people tend to project obsession onto me because I don't eat what they > eat. I think they mistakenly think discrimination is obsession. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Great points, Caroline! Thank you, Laurie , " Caroline Jeannot " <liberum wrote: > > I find that people don't project obsession or anything negative on me when I don't use labels and limit my explanations about why I eat a low fat raw vegan diet. I usually avoid calling myself vegan, and instead say that I enjoy eating fruits and veggies over everything else. I don't go into the moral reasons or into the health reasons. If they ask questions and uncover that I do eat a vegan diet (without me using that word) and show concern over whether or not I get enough nutrition, I explain matter of factly that I used to have lots of health problems when I ate a healthy vegetarian diet and a healthy carnivorous diet. They can see in my eyes and in my energy that I am healthy and vibrant, so when I tell them that those have all disappeared since I started eating this way, they often leave it alone. > > I noticed that the tone of voice and the matter of fact manner in which I speak really impacts how people respond. I usually add that I don't object to others eating however they wish to eat and respect each individual's personal decision. If I don't speak this way, people can get self-conscious about their junk-food laden diet and/or feel like I am disapproving of the manner in which they eat (which is uncomfortable for them). The more selective I am about my words (and the less I say) in a manner of fact manner, the less they ask questions from a non-open standpoint or push and the more they become open to the fact that maybe this diet can work for some people. > > Rarely will I share further nowadays. I will if someone has a sincere interest and a really open mind. And I watch for cues in their body language and their words about how far I should go into explaining. > > Ron, I think it's great how you respond by educating them in a positive manner. > > -Caroline > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 I've found that if I show how content and happy I am about eating the meal I have chosen (salad, fruits, etc.) that others don't ask me to try a little bit of what they're eating. If I look disappointed at my choices, they tend to feel bad and want to rectify that by giving me food that they (and most others) enjoy (those addicting cooked foods). If they do ask once, they don't tend to ask again and accept that I am really enjoying myself. (I've got to show sincere enjoyment though. Even if they don't understand why I find lettuce so yummy, or a type of fruit so yummy, they tend to smile with curiosity when they see this enjoyment and we often joke about how silly or amusing it is that I enjoy a fig, romaine lettuce, dates, etc. so much that I eat x large quantity or that I eat a little bit very slowly as if I'm at a gourmet restaurant and am satisfied, or that I carry around a bag of fruits -e.g. at school- or....so many possibilities to find pleasure in how absurd this lifestyle seems to be to others! -Caroline Laurie Swanson Tuesday, September 09, 2008 9:27 AM Re: 20/20 - Obsession Exactly. It seems obsessive because we are trying to be healthy in a culture inundated with unhealthy people and choices. We seem too " picky " at restaurants, social gatherings, etc. But if we just eat " a little bit " of unhealthy food every time we're in a situation with others, in order to appear less obsessive, pretty soon we're eating a lot of unhealthy food overall. And it can be hard to just eat a small amount (remember the Lay's potato chips slogan, " Bet you can't eat just one, " or something?). But most of the society doesn't understand how addictive so many of the foods are. This lifestyle choice is literally like being an alcoholic and having people trying to get you to drink constantly, and criticizing you for not having " just one drink. " (At times, anyway...!) Laurie Recent Activity a.. 2New Members Visit Your Group Sell Online Start selling with our award-winning e-commerce tools. Ads on Learn more now. Reach customers searching for you. Discover healthy living groups and live a full life. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 And the fear that most people live with over health is amazing to me. I have just walked out of my second benefits fair at the school district I work for. I was starting to listen to the panic in people's voice over their choices for health insurance. I almost bought into it but caught myself. Why would I want to put more money into an insurance company? I wouldn't do what they would say anyway if I were ever to be ill. Besides they probably wouldn't cover me when they found out I went skydiving and want to do it again!!! I know my school buddies are going to ask me tomorrow and we will have to have " the " talk about health and insurance. Oh well, makes my day much more interesting. Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 I looked at my company's " health " (actually " disease " is a better term) insurance coverage and it is geared toward covering the costs of drugs, which I don't use. I don't see MD's either, so I have no use for their disease insurance. Generally, it's the ones who are dependent upon medical doctors and drugs that are missing out on health. Ron , " SV " <shavig wrote: > > And the fear that most people live with over health is amazing to me. I have just walked out of my second benefits fair at the school district I work for. I was starting to listen to the panic in people's voice over their choices for health insurance. I almost bought into it but caught myself. Why would I want to put more money into an insurance company? I wouldn't do what they would say anyway if I were ever to be ill. > > Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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