How to handle judgement from others on a raw/vegan/vegetarian diet

Based on my experiences, this is how I recommend handling judgement from others on a raw/vegan/vegetarian diet. I also talk about how to deal with criticisms...

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Comment by Yuliya SC on January 24, 2013 at 2:33am: great video :)!

Comment by MaRaw DoberVegan on August 1, 2012 at 6:14am: From my first post, I mean, I think it's a mistake when I focus too much on my body and past experiences, rather than present experiences.

Comment by MaRaw DoberVegan on August 1, 2012 at 6:12am: I think mainly I get stuck in judging myself from my past, which isn't helpful.

Comment by MaRaw DoberVegan on August 1, 2012 at 6:07am: I think it's been hard for me to eat raw, simply because, as Ben said, I'm not sold on it enough myself.

When I became vegan, it was easier for me to deal- or not deal :) - with the crap people said because I anticipated that everyone would probably be against my diet. Paranoid or not, I was prepared, and since I anticipated the worst, I realized more often than not that people will ask a couple questions, like, "So when did you become [ ]..?" and "So why did you decide to become [ ]..?" And if you answer firmly, simply, and with "data"/"research", they typically say, "Oh, interesting" or they ask you "Where do you get your protein?" For vegan, it was easier to answer, but now I basically say, "Well, most people think that we need a lot more protein than we actually do. There is adequate protein in all foods if you get enough calories." And I leave it at that.

Since I've joined 30BaD and connected with 30BaDer's over FB, I have had the idea that people do not judge you. While I do not want to create fear inside myself, I think it might be good for me to become a little paranoid again in the goal of being able to present myself and be ready for other people's opinions, so that when they come, it is easy to talk about myself and my choices.

I also think I have made a mistake when sharing with others in focusing too much on my experiences. While your own firsthand experience is awesome, when first starting going from SAD or cooked vegan food to hclfrv, of course my emotions, my body, my sleep, habits etc. are not going to look the way I want them because of my past, and it's not anyone's job to judge me from my past. I would rather people judge me from the choices that I am making in the present. If I say I'm hcrv, and I eat cooked food, I will gladly take judgement- "I don't think you should be eating that. Eat raw vegan.. now." - however, most people just look at your body and see the past and judge you on that, which can also be a blow to self-esteem. My body is my past, not my present. So, when I talk about my diet/lifestyle to others that don't know me well or are asking for the first time, I talk about my present choices, not my body, not what I could have done, not my mistakes, etc. unless they are in an open mindset to learn, care, support, and desire to be raw themselves.

So, in my experience, I work best with the opinions of others when I anticipate the worst, have backup in my mental understanding of what I am doing, and focus on my long term goals- talk about what I am striving for and why. No one can argue that, and if they try, you stop talking and walk away.

Comment by Anonymous Person on June 8, 2012 at 3:19pm: Diarrhea milkshake hahaha....Funny how the Greek meaning of diarrhea is "following through" so in a way it sorta is ;-). Other people can naysay all they want and live that SAD lifestyle, with all of its issues. Sing it proud.

Comment by Caitlin Anne on May 20, 2012 at 7:20am: @ Lidia that is hilarious!! I need to mess with more people like that, lol

Comment by Steve on May 20, 2012 at 7:09am: @Athena. Everything happens for a reason! :)

Comment by Athena on May 20, 2012 at 6:21am: Wow, what a coincidence. That's a good one Steve! I say coincidence because I just recently posted something similar on Candace's page. LOL.

Comment by Candace Thibedau on May 20, 2012 at 6:15am: @Steve lol last week was nurses week, I should have gotten her one of Freelee's shirts as a gift!