How to Outsmart the Biggest Food Pushers: Your Relatives

Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine

When you're visiting family (especially over the holidays) some things never change. Your mom whips out embarrassing baby photos, you fight over the remote and Grandma always pressures you into eating another slice of pie. Read on for smart ways to indulge at family gatherings--without gaining an ounce. (Trust me, you'll be using these tips all year!)

I'm visiting my parents in California now, and the house is a diet minefield. There's orange junk food--my absolute weakness--everywhere! This year, I'm vowing to be a little more restrained, but that doesn't mean I'm turning down any home cooking. For example, my mom makes huge, fatty breakfasts every morning. Instead of eating a sad bowl of oatmeal while everyone else enjoys sausage and eggs, I cook up a few egg whites and help myself to one link so I don't feel left out. Another time, under the guise of "helping" my mom, I went grocery shopping and loaded up the cart with fruits and veggies. I made dinner, but didn't tell anyone that the chicken enchiladas I made were on the lighter side. (I guess the secret's out!)

What holiday foods make you weak in the knees?

But as Margarita recently mentioned on her blog, other people are more tricky--and less tactful. My relatives sometimes ask me uncomfortable questions like, "How much do you weigh? You could use some extra padding!" while handing me another helping of ham. As I've gotten older, I've learned to politely say, "No, thanks. I'm full, but I'll have a little bit later." And guess what? That usually does the trick.

How do you deal with all the food at family gatherings this time of year? Do you have a comeback when a relative asks nosy questions about your weight? Please share!

Check out more tips from our Healthy Holiday Eating Survival Guide.

by Maridel Reyes

image via commons.wikimedia.org

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