Food Pushers

Food Pushers

By Karen Asp
Fight Food Pushers

Everywhere you turn, it seems like someone's trying to get you to eat. It's fine to indulge -- when you want to -- but when you and your diet face an unwanted attack, it's time to take action. Here, we identify the top food pushers and give you strategies to defend yourself with your relationships -- and your diet -- intact.

Not-So-Happy Hour

What do you do when you're out for drinks and your buddies are pushing calorie-laden cocktails when all you want is seltzer? To appease your friends and still imbibe in a low-cal way, choose a light beer or a wine spritzer. After one drink, all good judgment goes out the door, says Deborah Arneson, M.S., licensed clinical nutritionist in Chicago and author of 'Fries, Thighs and Lies.' "So stick to a single-drink policy," she says.

Pushy Partners

Dining with a partner who isn't watching his weight can be tricky. He may order food you're trying to avoid and insist you have some (not to mention the temptation of having off-limits dishes around). Your move? Talk to him. Tell him that you're trying to improve your health and ask for his help in making better food decisions. Your partner may be more cooperative about making the change if he feels included in the process. Another tactic: Agree to healthy, low-cal meals the majority of the time and one weekly splurge meal where you enjoy your favorites together.

Overpowered Lunch

It's difficult to turn down food at a working lunch so try these tactics: Don't show up hungry or you'll have trouble passing on high-calorie foods so have a healthy mid-morning snack, says Suzanne Farrell, M.S., R.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Then avoid making a fuss or you'll invite more attention and opt for the healthiest foods available. If you get stuck with something you don't want, or the pusher is focused on you and confrontation isn't an option (i.e. it's your boss), take a few bites and put down your fork.

Caving to the Kids

When you're in the market and your kids urge you to buy their favorite treats, you usually end up worn down, buying junk, and eating it as well. The solution: Before you shop, create a list with your kids, Farrell says. Include a few fun snacks for them and let them pick them up and put them in cart. But don't veer from the list when shopping. If you're still tempted, buy something similar to your kids' treats but with fewer calories.

Meet the Parents

You're eating dinner at your in-laws' and worried about the fallout when you decline the majority of the meal, which is swimming in calories and fat. The solution? Call ahead and offer to help out with dinner by bringing a low-fat dish. When you dip into the other food, take small portions and have only a few bites of each.

The Cubicle Crew

When it's time for the office birthday party, the cupcakes are always piled high, and no thank you never works. What's your best move? Before the celebration, pop a handful of nuts (or even half a sandwich) to help you feel sated, which will prevent you from being tempted to give in. Then to avoid standing out by not eating, apply the take-and-toss rule: Take a slice of cake, but only take one bite. Then pitch your plate.

Dating Dilemma

Your dinner date seems concerned that you're not ordering enough food and you don't want to seem like a woman who doesn't eat. How to cope? Discussing your diet on an early date is probably out of the question, but rather than being embarrassed about how you eat, stay committed to your diet goals and order a healthy dish you enjoy, Farrell says. If that doesn't suffice offer up a couple of excuses, such as, you had a huge lunch or you ate a big slice of cake at the office birthday party.

Family Pressure

It's pretty typical for mothers and grandmothers to express love through food, so saying no can be highly loaded. But don't be afraid to speak up and say you're watching your weight. They may listen more closely if you present it as a health issue. If you don't think they'll understand your diet concerns, fill your plate with the healthiest options and take very small portions of the heavier foods. If they push you to eat more, tell them you're full or ask if you can prepare a plate for later -- then toss it.