Firstly, apologies to regular readers for being late with this post. I have been busy learning wonderful hypnotherapy skills with the awesome Marisa Peer, and I am now ready to welcome new clients. If hypnotherapy could help you with any issue, I’d love you to get in touch.
Who would have thought that a coffee cup could make a non-coffee drinker happy? Last week, it did.
I was at the London Business Show, when I realised that I hadn’t eaten for 24 hours. Luckily there was an outlet nearby with lovely salads. Unfortunately the portion I was served was huge; far too huge for me.
I was brought up never to leave food. When I was a child it was considered a virtue to be a good eater and not waste. My friends were fussy, but I ate everything and asked for more. I was hard-wired to clean my plate.
Before this challenge I would have scoffed every bit of that huge serving and enjoyed it. Today, however, I know I have a choice. Today I chose only to eat half of what was there.
Nevertheless, I still hate food waste. The amount of wastage in the UK is appalling. Take a look at this infographic and you’ll see what I mean.
I asked for a box to take away my leftovers. They didn’t have one, so I ended up with a coffee cup. This coffee cup.
Who knew that a simple paper cup could make a person so happy?
It was ideal. I was able to put half a plate of food into it, and to have it for my evening meal later (it didn’t spill at all; those coffee cups are made of stern stuff). Not only did I avoid food I didn’t want without throwing anything away, but I got two meals for the price of one. A win:win situation.
And it felt good. It felt so very good and empowering to be able to refuse food I didn’t want, and only eat what I was comfortable with.
The festive season can be a nightmare for those of us who are determined to stick to an eating plan. There is always a party or event, groaning with foods we prefer to avoid. We are afraid of hurting our host’s feelings if we turn down food. If this is an issue for you, here are my top 5 tips for refusing politely:
- Don’t take it personally. It may seem as if the whole world is ganging up against you by trying to sabotage your plan. This is unlikely to be the case. Most hosts are simply generous, and show their prowess by providing indulgent food. If you can accept their good intentions, you will avoid feeling antagonistic, and this will help you refuse with grace, and avoid upsetting yourself or others.
- Be a boy scout or girl guide. In other words, be prepared. If your host asks you in advance if there is anything you don’t eat, say so. You could even contact your host and let them know. They will appreciate it, as it will avoid awkwardness. If it’s a corporate event with a set menu, ask for something that’s not listed. When I went to a Christmas lunch last week, I pre-ordered fruit instead of the dessert on the menu.
- Practice makes perfect. Sometimes it is not possible to contact your host in advance, or you may be offered food unexpectedly. If so, it is helpful to rehearse your refusal in advance. This will allow you to say what is right for you comfortably and easily. The remaining tips are suggestions for refusals that are polite enough for even the most starched-shirted Brit. Pick one that suits your personal style.
- Keep it Simple. “It looks delicious, but I don’t eat sugar” is the explanation I use most often, and it is surprisingly effective. If people then ask why, simply say, “It doesn’t suit me”, or “I feel healthier without it”, or “I don’t really enjoy it any more”. On the whole, you are likely to gain kudos for your apparent willpower. If you really hate refusing, ask if you can take the food home to eat later. Then give it away or throw it away.
- If that fails say: “My doctor has advised me against eating that”. People who will argue with you usually won’t argue with your doctor. If they launch into a rant about why the food will do you no harm, you can say, “Well, that’s very interesting and I’ll check with the doctor, but for now I’d prefer to be on the safe side”. Alternatively, you could try saying, “I’m taking part in a clinical trial and I have to avoid these foods until the trial is over”. The downside is that people may ask you what the trial is about, and you will have to find a creative answer. In really difficult cases, claim a food intolerance. If people ask what happens if you eat the food, explain that you will be violently sick. That should be enough to deter even the most determined saboteur!
I have promised you my take on an exciting new paper about individual variations in response to glycaemic intake. This last fortnight has been especially hectic, but now I have a few more minutes to review the paper. Tune in next week to find out what I have learned, and how it is relevant to our challenge.
Until then, stay healthy. Your homework is to refuse something you don’t want in a way that feels right for you. Let me know how you get on!