As I was working really hard on Friday, I read Gracie’s post about friends commenting on her eating pie despite being a “health food blogger”. And I loved her response, something along the lines of health having a definition outside of food that included things all that increase her quality of life – like pie! Amen, sister! I loved that response.
Unfortunately, I am not as big a person as Gracie. I really dislike when people make comments like that. Not only am I nutrition blogger and dietitian, but a PERSON! I mean, hello?! Am I the only one that finds is slightly…rude…to dictate the appropriateness of what another is eating? It’s like verbally judging someone for their actions. A lot of people would look at a drive-through line wrapped around a parking lot 4x and think to themselves, “Wow, what people won’t do for some fast food” or see a grocery cart filled with Koo-laid, hot dogs, and Doritos and think something like, “Geez”. Point being, you may think it…but not many people would (or should) say it. Yet, when it comes to those in the limelight (blogger, dietitian, dieter, or otherwise), it’s appropriate to comment and judge?
“Dieters” get this all the time, too. You make the mistake of telling people you’re trying to lose some weight, you enjoy a piece of cake to celebrate a co-worker’s promotion, and BAM! Co-workers will comment. “Oh, are you off Weight Watchers now?”…”Is that on your diet plan? I want to be on that diet!”…”Hm, cake. Does that mean lettuce and vinegar for dinner?” Okay, I might be exaggerating…but you know it happens!
Rant over 🙂
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This week I tried stuffed turkey burgers. After KT gushed over her stuffed turkey burger rendition after seeing these stuffed turkey burgers, I figured…why not? I followed something more along Kristin’s recipe and simply stuffed 2% shredded mozzarella into the burger after seasoning the ground turkey breast with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, garlic, pepper, and some salt. And then we just grilled’em up!
Brushetta Turkey Burgers
Add a second layer of pounded ground turkey…
Grill’em!
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with tomato and basil on a bun…
Result: They were disappointing and DRY 🙁 Ground turkey breast is virtually fat-free and I think you need some fat in burgers to make them good. I think next time, I’ll add some extra-virgin olive oil to the meat in order to add healthy fats versus buying higher fat turkey meat.
Of course it was to my pleasant surprise that this month’s Cooking Light features burger recipes! Lily and I perused the issue this morning and dog-eared lots of pages!
Question: Do you catch heat for anything “unhealthy” you eat? Does it bother you like it does me? Or am I just a bit sensitive to the comments?
Some of my co-workers are throwing me an out-of-office going away party today. SO sweet of them! I work with some truly amazing people! And then this afternoon I have a hockey game! 😀 Busy day! What are you up to?
Have a wonderful day!
I could write an entire post on my history with the “food police.” The worst is when people in your family make comments about what’s on your plate. I have an aunt who makes me feel very uncomfortable b/c she made quite a few comments about my plate as a kid. That is HARD to take at any age, but especially at a young age. It even bothered me when I got skinny… once a man said, “oh you can eat that?!?!?!” Maybe I’m just overly sensitive, but seriously, people just need to mind their own plates and not worry about what anyone else is eating. I love that response about pie increasing the quality of life! That is awesome and I plan to use it if I ever need to in the future!!
First off, APPLAUSE !!!! Food is a part of life, and life is not perfect. It never was meant to be perfect ! Health is not about a number on a scale, but a BALANCE of mind, body and spirit . Nutrition is NOT simply a matter of calories. There are macornutrients and micronutriants to consider. There is emotional satisfaction to consider. There are traditional foods to consider ( connecting with your heritage and culture which brings satisfaction and balance to your mind and spirit). All of these things must be considered, or you become a carbon based organism attempting to be human, and not an authentic person. Authentic people make the world go round. I have had some negative comments, and most always they are by anonymous posters . My policy is to delete any anonymous comment and move on. Life is too short . As Wayne Dyer says The opinions of others are none of my business. My business is simply to live my holistic life to the best of my ability , keep all the balls in the air and make lists and so forth to keep my family happy, healthy and present at the appropriate place and time. A cup of coffee at my side and I can move mountains !
I don’t catch heat, but I get looks. A girl in our office has been eating lean cuisines- seriously ONLY lean cuisines for lunch for the last year. And I feel like she always gives me judgy glares/raises eyebrows when she looks at some of the stuff I bring in or if I talk about what I ate at a new restaurant.
I eat what I want. I feel no need to apologize to her about it. And I would never make remarks or give her looks for eating tv dinners everyday (which there are things that could be said about the nutritional value)- but don’t sit there thinking you’re so much healthier than me. “Healthy lifestyle” is soooo subjective. And is more about what works for you.
Ha ha- rant over! :p
Enjoy your Saturday!
I’m so lucky that I am surrounded by people who have no judgement about food, and eating. I grew up eating self-farming products and learn cooking with organic ingredients. Now a day the world isn’t the same, we have been explosed to so many food- delicious food…sometime healthy and sometime not so healthy. I’m agree with Diane food is a part of life… a really big part of life. And we really do wanna try almost everything. I’m trying to be healthy doesn’t mean I wouldn’t bite a cake!
I really try to fight KFC…. I know I know … but I haven’t go there for few months now… 🙂
Tes
gosh I wish people just never made comments about food. I’m not sure anyone has ever seen me indulge in something and if they have im sure they were just encouraging me. (now a days at least)
I remember back when I was 14ish someone made a comment about the chips and food I was eating and saying I was chubby. Blehh… I think if someone made a comment about something I ate now I would probably jump down their throat about the hell Ive been through and indulgence is a perfectly healthy thing. Probably not the best response but it’s probably better then just saying nothing (for me).
Great post! I wish people just kept their judgements to themselves. I guess its our jobs not to affected by it though.
Dana xo
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
Oh I could not agree with this more! Thank you so much for bringing this up. No matter who we are or what we “stand for” or are “known” as – we all deserve not to be judged by the food or health choices we make…indulgences are necessary and a part of life! Happiness comes from doing things and eating things we want and enjoy, no one should suffer criticism for that. Amen sister! Those burgers look awesome, and I love that pup picture – Lily is too cute 😀
Meg
I don’t appreciate unsolicited comments about what I’m eating at all. I think food choices are very personal, and a piece of pie can fit perfectly well into a healthy diet. So, no, you are not too sensitive! 🙂
Have a great weekend, Nicole!
I hate when people get all up in your business about your diet. It’s one thing to say words of encouragement, but to criticize someone usually stems from jealousy. I hate it.
Gawd, I hate when outsiders make comments about what you eat. Luckily I’m not around people like that anymore, I think it’s so rude. I agree with KT, healthy is also a state of mind. And doing things to make yourself feel good emotionally + physically IS healthy. 🙂
Your turkey burgers look YUMMY to me! I actually like them dry. Try a creamier cheese next time, like gorgonzola.
Jenn
First, I’m disappointed your burgers turned out dry–they looked so goood!! The Olive Oil would work, but I would also suggest trying egg whites or ketchup to moisten them up (that’s what I do a lot!)
Anyway, onto your question. While, I don’t think we should judge each other’s eating habits and I have received negative comments base upon my eating as an RD (like if I have dessert at a party or something like that)–I do think my role is to be a good example. A lot of times when my husband and I are around others while eating food, I try to make my plate as healthy as can be so others can model my plate if they want to. We may not realize how much people watch what we are eating as RD’s, but they do.
All that being said, sometimes I do think I put too much pressure on myself as an RD to eat well and “look good” all the time. I don’t want to be mid-cookie-bite and be asked what I do for a living, nor do I want to give up every food just because it might not be the healthiest.
Ugh, I’m writing a book now. But I this discussion definitely has so many points to it. I’d love to talk more about it!
I actually get more curiosity and catch more heat for eating *healthy* fare…
YES and it sucks! I hate it when I am eating something and someone says you are gonna eat that? I am always like um…yeah I am. I am a human. I may be a nutrionist but that doesn’t mean I don’t also crave cookies (or insert any so-called “unhealthy” food). I always tell people that really (in my opinion) indulging every so often with foods that aren’t good for me is NORMAL and actually more healthy than the person who deprives themself all the time. I would rather eat a cookie and enjoy it and move on then NEVER have cookies and always want one. I mean how fun is that?!
I LOVE your rant, NO ONE eats “perfectly” all the time. Life is about balance in everything especially food. I spend alot of time trying to make recipes healthier but I don’t always want healthier. Sometimes I want the carrot cake of my childhood, I just don’t eat the whole cake.
For your turkey burgers, boooo on being dry. I have 2 tricks, the first is some quick cooking oatmeal soaked in milk mixed in with the turkey, adds great moistness and you never even notice the oatmeal. I do this for turkey meatloaf too. the other is to add ice chips to the turkey, it melts as it cooks and helps keep it moist. The oatmeal works better.
Aww, I’m sorry the burgers were dry 🙁
It’s all about eating things in moderation, being active, and enjoying life in my book. People can be so rude sometimes.
Those burgers were lookin good. I might have to whip up a batch of my own. And yes, of course it is about moderation. If I had kids, I’d take them to Mc Donalds once a month. I despise the company and food, but kids like that sort of thing.
I am SO with you!!! I HATE when people make comments about my food choices. People seem to say things all the time, either “Look at that, that’s SOOOOO healthy, way too healthy for me!” or “Wow, the healthy eater is eating a cookie – call the press!” It doesn’t matter to me if they’re calling my choices too healthy or not healthy enough – I find it rude either way!
I hate it when people comment like that as well, in either direction. I hate it when people comment on me eating a piece of cake. And I also hate it when they say that I’m obsessively healthy because I eat veggies at every meal. Why can’t we all just be well balanced?
I’m sorry those burgers were dry. My favorite way to juice up a turkey burger is to add salsa to the meat…especially salsa verde. So low calorie and it makes for THE tastiest burgers!
I have been there many times where people have commented or judged what I ate. What was the worst was when I was training for my fitness competition and got crap for people because I ate FRUIT and not simply chicken and greens. Holy cow!!! The double standards really are so frustrating.
I find people are incredibly judgmental when it comes to food. It’s one of the reasons that I never say I’m vegetarian because meat eaters think I’ve committed a moral sin if I do taste a bit of someone’s meat dish. Errr.
Argh! I get that alot!! People will bring candy into work to put out for whoever wants it, and right away people say things like “oh, Leah wont eat that, her body is a temple”. Actually, if I want it I damn well WILL eat it. I agree with you, its rude. I even get comments from people at the grocery store, once the cashier even commented on the fact that I had all orgainc produce, but then asked for plastic bags instead of bringing my own. I use them instead of buying garbage bags thank you very much. But you can bet she didnt say anything to the lady behind me who had chocolate bars, hot dogs, and more bottles of Coke than Ive ever seen in one place, plus a bag of salad.
I completely agree with your rant — judgemental comments don’t do anyone any good. I view my comments as I do my words: if I don’t have anything nice to say I think it’s better to keep my thoughts to myself. About the turkey burgers, you’re right they can be super dry. I like to add sauteed veggies (like spinach, onion, carrot, bell pepper, etc.) to keep them moist which really helps a lot. I LOVE the idea of bruschetta burgers and I’m definitely going to be trying them! 🙂
Your rant has me thinking. I’m not sure if I’ve had someone verbally judge me for eating something. I do realize that people generally think I eat healthier than I really do. That being said when it’s important for me to eat how I eat with out feeling judged as it shows balance and real life eating habits.
I am really glad that you mentioned this. I feel, especially as an RD and food blogger, there is a lot of pressure to eat a certain way. We are only human. I like dessert just as much as anyone else. I am always worried I will get a comment like that.
Those burgers look delish, too bad they were so dry.
This is what I do to keep turkey burgers moist: 1) Worcestershire sauce, 2) a little breadcrumbs and 3) an egg or egg white. Yes, its a little more work to keep them ooey gooey, but they are sooooo good when they come out right!
Oh my gosh, I hear you. A good friend of mine is a dietician and she says the SAME thing. It’s just not right of people to comment in either direction. Sure I might want a cookie – or I might eat salads every day. Why judge someone for what they EAT?! It just seems so silly to me. I try to shrug it off, but it’s really hard sometimes.
Great post! I can completely sympathize with all of you that have gone through this. I eat healthy most of the time, but I tend to indulge on desserts. I’ve been caught at work or at parties stuffing my face with a huge plate of cake, cookies, and brownies. People automatically assume that I must have some kind of eating disorder because I’m thin and I’m pigging out. No, I eat healthy and I work out regularly so I like to indulge on desserts. Stop staring at me and making assumptions!
I don’t care if people criticize my eating. I put it on the web and make myself vulnerable to it, so like me, dislike me, agree with me or not, if I putting it out for the world to see I can expect to hear their feedback.
I’ve been fortunate this time around not to have to deal with the food critics. Part of this is due to me not eating with others much.
The funny thing is the ones that usually criticize or joke usually shouldn’t be having it either!
Like many others, I HATE when people comment on my food choices, so I practice the golden rule and don’t say anything to them about theirs unless asked.
But yes, when I even catch a look of judgement about my food, I get pissed/hurt. I wouldn’t let it show, but I do.
Georgie Fear RD
Those burgers look delish–I love using balsamic for meat dishes!
Nicole, you are so not alone. I have struggled a lot with people judging my food choices but recently I’ve learned to just not care and embrace MY choices.
It’s ridiculous – either I get picked on for NOT indulging or doing just the opposite! I try to eat more healthfully during the week because I know how much I love food and I choose to indulge on the weekends, so what usually happens is that coworkers are under the impression that I eat ONLY healthy food. So it’s like, either way, they judge. But I just remind myself that I am in control. Maybe I’m passing up a cookie at a meeting because I know I want an ice cream sundae this weekend with my hubby. Or, maybe I’ve decided that today is a perfectly fine day to eat a piece of cake at work because I know I have been good and will be good the rest of the week! And those people making the comments – they have absolutely no idea, do they.