Dealing with social and peer pressure about diet and nutrition can be difficult, but it is important to remember that you are in control of your own body. You should never feel guilty or ashamed about the food choices that you make – this only leads to negative feelings and unhealthy habits. In this blog post, we will discuss how to deal with social and peer pressure, as well as some tips for making healthy choices for you and your loved ones.
Don’t be afraid to say No
It can be difficult to stand up to peer pressure, especially when it comes to food and drink. However, it is important to remember that you have the right to make decisions about what you put into your body. If you are not comfortable with eating or drinking something, don’t be afraid to say no. Explain your decision calmly and confidently, and don’t let others convince you to do something that makes you uncomfortable. It is also important to remember that you don’t need to justify your decision to anyone. If you are someone who doesn’t do well with confrontation, then you can always resort to safe excuses for why you do not want to eat or drink it. Try some of these examples next time you are in this situation:
- The doctor told me to watch my blood sugar.
- Sorry, I’m allergic/sensitive to that.
- My doctor has me taking medication that I can’t mix with that.
- I’m gluten free.
- I’m avoiding XYZ right now.
Plan Ahead
No one wants to be put in a situation where they feel like they have to choose between going along with the crowd or being left out. If you know that you’re likely to be put in a situation where you might be pressured to eat or drink something you’re not comfortable with, it’s important to plan ahead. Decide in advance what your boundaries are, and make sure to communicate them clearly to your friends. It can also be helpful to have an exit strategy in mind, so that you can excuse yourself from the situation if necessary. By being prepared ahead of time, you’ll be more likely to stay true to yourself and resist any unwanted pressure.
Be willing to step away
We change as individuals over time through our unique experiences. While it is romanticized about people being lifelong friends since childhood, it doesn’t happen that much anymore. People move to new cities and meet new people much more nowadays than even 50 years ago. Sometimes, you just have to realize you have outgrown some of your friends. Maybe you no longer want to party all the time and become healthy instead. If your friends still love getting belligerently drunk every weekend then you may want to cut back on the time you spend with them. It’s not easy to stand up to peer pressure, nor is it easy to walk away from being friends. But sometimes the best decisions you can make are the toughest ones.
