The not-diet

[Blueberry]

My family is where I have the most difficulty. I suppose we don't eat out that often with friends (since I'm not in an office that dynamic is gone). Our diets are fairly open - reducing here and there, but not that many absolutely won't do's. However, we do not eat beef or pork and haven't for 10 years. It's always an issue at family holidays - particularly with my grandmother (who is otherwise a delightful person). She just can't wrap her brain around that requirement, and makes snide comments every time.

[Irulan]

She just can't wrap her brain around that requirement, and makes snide comments every time.

How sad for her.

[shootingstar]

'Saving room for X' works well too

That's an excellent comment to help deflect attention to some food that is more "positive" for oneself.

[Veronica]

Family issues are hard. Thom's mom likes to cook with Splenda, which gives me a headache. My family never met a deep fried thing they didn't like.

And Cool Whip... I've always thought that stuff was nasty.

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

see- I'm totally different. I eat a plant-based diet, so often people will ask if I'm vegan and I say yes. Mostly they're curious about what I eat (they don't think you can eat anything but raw vegetables), so I try to educate when asked. I don't openly go around boasting that I eat like a Vegan, but if it comes up I will not back away from it. I often have to ask servers at restaurants for tips about what to get on the menu (although I'm getting good at piecing meals together from various menu items).

This isn't a diet (although technically it is). I haven't lost much weight, and even though I need to, that doesn't bother me. What matters is that my cholesterol has dropped 45 points and I don't have to be on statins. And that my nails are longer and stronger than they've ever been in my life, and that I sleep so much better, and recover from hard workouts faster. Diet sure has become a 4 letter word in our society, and that's really quite a shame.

[margo49]

It's a language problem too.

I know in Hebrew the word for diet is "dee-etta" so it is a straight borrow from English. It is the word people use for a Special Temporary Eating Plan Towards a Goal.
But a food discussion on life-long (long term) plans or changes uses the word for "Nutrition". Which is much more accurate of course.

How can we distinguish in English?

[lph]

How about "No, I'm not on a diet. I just like to eat this way "

[Reesha]

I think what irks me the most is when I go out for lunch with my mother and sister (both overweight for many years now) and I order a healthier choice they sometimes look at me accusingly and ask what fad diet I was on now. They have also been known to order dessert and eat it as indulgently as possible to spite me. I think they see my choices as a critique of them, but that's their issue not mine.