Random title? Yes! But it is a topic I have considered writing about for quite some time now as I have discovered over time that people are quick to comments judge when it comes to what is on your plate.
Those who have worked with me will know how much I HATE it when people comment on my food....Is someone who eats healthy really that fascinating? Is it so wrong?
I wanted to share some of the comments I sometimes receive re my food... and hopefully someone can shed some light on why people ask these? I have my answers and opinions but I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts!
I think it is fair to say that when people see you eating from tuppaware boxes they are quick to judge. This week I have had comments re my food, what I eat (that's your breakfast?? Looks more like dinner!!!), about how much I eat (you're meant to be on a diet aren't you??), the fact I have meals prepped with labels on (how do you even have time to do that??).
Let me state one thing, all of these comments are annoying. :)
First up:
1. Who determines what constitutes a breakfast meal or lunch? So today for example I had 4 Ryvitas, some plum tomatoes and 3 egg whites - To me, this is normal breakfast food however it appeared a number of people thought different! How does something like this differ to a bacon butty? Is the norm a bowl or coco pops? My breakfast was 1. High in carbs (Post work out) 2. High in Protein 3. Relatively low in fat as I am cutting my fats at the moment. What is the norm? What is the social consensus on what you are not allowed to eat for breakfast? What's the cut off time?? (Serious question!!) I love food... I would pretty much eat anything at anytime, I definitely need someone to educate me on this one I think.
2. "She's on a diet" - I get this every time I say no to a chocolate, or to a cake. My response? No guys, I'm not on a diet I just choose not to eat that crap every day. I don't feel like I am on a diet at all, I eat well, I fuel my body, I eat nearly 2,000 calories a day of GOOD balanced food (I have a grenade bar a day, I have had a crunchie 3 days so far this week is that a diet?) It seems like someone who eats healthy must be on a diet, or must be trying to lose weight. I eat healthy to be healthy, there's quite the difference. What is a diet? Again, that is a serious question. Do people only say "she's on a diet" because they think I need to be? Awkward........
3. "I cannot believe how much you eat!!!" - I get this so so much. I remember once I was in the kitchen at work (my old job) and the woman next to me was buttering a couple of slices of thick Warburton's bread (yum yum), she was slapping loads of butter on. I was re-heating a vegetable omelette served with some asparagus. A massive plate of food.
Her comments to me "Wow!! You're really going to eat all of that for breakfast??? I hope you have a small lunch and dinner!".... just to clarify at this point, no I do not have a small lunch and dinner!
My point though - My breakfast was more than likely less calories than hers, it also kept me full for longer, it contained a hell of a lot more fibre than hers did and had a good balance of macro nutrients.
Volume of food doesn't mean you're a pig! Let's make that clear. I bulk up all my meals with foods like courgette, cauliflower etc to add some volume, fill me up and make sure my eyes see that I am having a good time!!
If volume was the best indicator then would it be fair to say that a mars bar which is relatively small will get you better results than a massive salad from subway? Have you seen the size of those? Volume is irrelevant even if we do wish a Mars bar would give us better results.
4. My final point for now.... MEAL PREP!
So let's be honest here, how many of you have looked at someone eating from a tuppaware box and rolled your eyes thinking "they're one of them!!".
How many of you look at someone like myself who preps 20 meals on a Sunday and thinks "she has too much time on her hands"? I'm guilty of it myself from a few years ago before I was "one of them".
Meal prep is the best way to get results in my opinion. It enables you to plan ahead, always have a back up plan and know what you are eating. I meal prep to save time, not because I have too much time.
To run you through my day briefly, my alarm goes off at 5am. I get up, pack my bags for work, have a crumpet and some BCAA then head off to the gym for a 90 min session! I work, get home around 6.30ish, then I study for my PT qualification. I get in bed by 9pm, asleep by 9.30pm. I sometimes try to fit an extra training session in at night too!!
If I didn't prep my food I would have to make some sacrifices to my day to day schedule... possibly sleep!! I love sleep and like to get a good 7hours minimum, so sacrificing this would be too painful! I prep my food on a Sunday so when I get home I can chuck something straight into the microwave and I have food within 10 mins of walking through the door.
I'm not a typical tuppaware box eater of "chicken and broccoli"... I opt for a whole range of food, I am a massive foodie after all. It is strange that we judge people based on them being organised with their food though don't you think?
It is fair to say I definitely experience more judgement / comments now than I used to when I would sit eating a McDonalds meal plus a sandwich, or a massive bag of crisps. The people I come across appear to comment more on the healthy person than the unhealthy, is this because it is rude to say something to someone unhealthy? or is it because unhealthy is the norm?
I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on this.
Also...as promised to many people, my next blog will be on MEAL PREP - how, why, what, the approach! I get messages asking for tips on meal prep all the time & since it is one of my fave things it is about time I covered it!
xx
