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Thanksgiving Health Tip #7: Dealing with Food Pushers 

12/10/2014

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Do you know what's really hard? Not going back for seconds after eating a heavenly meal. Not licking your plate clean when you're no longer hungry. Not picking away at the table full of food in front of you. 

Do you know what's even harder? When you have made the decision to stop eating and someone continues to offer you "just a little more" over and over and over again. When you decline dessert and the response is "but I made it just for you!". When people unknowingly tempt, entice, and guilt you into eating more. 

Let's talk about dealing with food-pushers. You certainly want to express to your host how gracious you are for the lovely meal and how delicious everything tasted. You certainly don't want them to be offended when you stop eating because you are full. But at the same time, you shouldn't have to sabotage your healthy eating efforts because of someone else's feelings. After all, it's not about them; it's about you. 

Here are 5 strategies for dealing with food pushers: 
  1. Before you eat, tell the host that you are trying really hard to keep your portions under control. Tell him/her about your plan to enjoy a small plate of food and a small piece of dessert. With this in mind, the host may not bother enticing you with a second helping, or at the very least, when you politely decline the offer, they'll know why. 
  2. Let the host know how you feel about the food. Comment on how great it smells, looks, and tastes. When you've decided to finish eating thank them for the scrumptious meal and let them know then and there that you "simply can not squeeze in another bite". 
  3. If the host continues to offer you more and more food try a different strategy.  You could say "I couldn't eat another bite but I'd love to take some home to enjoy tomorrow". 
  4. Decline "for now". Let the host know you are "too full to enjoy the dessert right now, but may help yourself to some later in the evening". 
  5. For the really tough food-pusher you may have to use a separate strategy. Try taking a small helping of food, knowing that you'll need more to be satisfied. Let it be known when you go up for another serving - "This was so yummy - do you mind if I have some more?". 

Do you have a strategy for dealing with food-pushers? Let me know in the comment section below! 

Click here for more Thanksgiving Health tips. 
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