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How to Defend Against Diet Bullies

Learn how to keep your diet and friendships intact with these diet tips
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The Over-Orderer
A close cousin to the foodie, the over-orderer thinks of eating out as the perfect time to indulge. Buttered biscuits, spinach-artichoke dip and oysters with three kinds of dipping sauces to start, red wine all around, and multiple courses before you polish things off with a few samples from the decadent dessert menu is just a standard night out with this buddy. Before you know it, your stomach is beyond full (and your wallet is pretty empty after splitting the check).

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The Over-Orderer: How to Defend
"A social environment increases the likelihood of eating less mindfully," says Simpson. She suggests planning ahead for your big night out (i.e., restricting your diet in the days before), so that you feel comfortable enjoying it. In fact, according to Conason, indulging occasionally will help your diet stay on track. "A night out of eating shouldn't trigger a panic attack. Instead of white-knuckling your way through a meal with others, tune in to your body and allow yourself to have what you want," says Conason.

As for the 15 appetizers you could do without ...
If you're not in the mood to eat multiple courses, just say at the beginning that you brought cash and you'll be ordering your own food," says Conason. Try suggesting vegetarian restaurants, which are likely to have healthier options. Or invite everyone over for a potluck style supper club -- they're less likely to harp on your healthy choices if you're not announcing them from the menu as you put in your order.

Whether it's splitting a pizza over episodes of "The Bachelor," going on late night fro-yo runs after a long day, or nursing a hangover together at your favorite brunch spot, food plays a huge part in our friendships. The operative word being huge, since new research suggests your friends are making you fat.

Just how fat? Well, that depends on the friend. Alexis Conason, a licensed psychologist specializing in body image, and nutritionist Paula Simpson, RNCP, gave us some advice for when you come up against the most dangerous kind of diet bullies: Your friends.
BY EMILY WOODRUFF | FEB 6, 2015 | SHARES
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