I'm visiting my bf's family for 2 weeks and cannot eat the food they eat?

Question

I am visiting my boyfriend's family in Iowa for 2 weeks. I am from California and do not slab butter, fat, and a ton of salt on everything. I'm too much of a 'healthy' eater. I am really offending them by not eating all the meat and buttery stuff.-- i rarely eat meat at all unless it's fish.They don't offer anything else. What should I do?!!!

Answer 1

bring your own food or you can cook your own meal and explain that you are on a strict diet. they should understand, if not dump your bf.

Answer 2

You sound a little bitter since you used the words "slab butter, fat and a ton of salt"
You might want to consider your tone.
It's ok to not like the foods in front of you. I'm a very picky eater myself and I'll just eat around those items I don't like. My husband is allergic to poultry and most fish. He cannot even eat food that has been prepared on the same surfaces as poultry or fish items. My brother in law pretty much only cooks poultry or fish. So when we visit, I usually run to the grocery store and buy a few items my hubby can eat and then I make him a small meal on the side. I wouldn't ever suggest my BIL make two meals, we try to be as little imposing as possible. But we also do it in such a way as to not offend my BIL by his cooking, or somehow imply that he is cooking badly or needs to change.
You should adopt the same attitude. Maybe make yourself a small meal on the side and eat it with them. If they ask why, explain that you have a different diet than they do, but you didn't want to impose on their menu. If you do that in the most respectful manner possible, and they still get offended, then there really isn't much else you can do. Some people will be offended no matter what. But chances are, they aren't aware of your tastes/preferences and will only be slightly embarassed by assuming you ate as they do.

Answer 3

You are going to be there for only two weeks. The food isn't going to harm your health for that length of time. I would say if she doesn't offer you anything else, or doesn't ask you what you can eat, then eat as much of it as you can. I would be offended if someone didn't eat what I cooked. And she shouldn't have to change her meals to suit only one person.

Many people in the Upper Midwest grew up in families where the husband did hard manual labor, and a salad for a meal wouldn't have kept him going very long.

I'm sorry if this offends YOU, but you sound a little snobbish to me! Maybe I am reading it wrong, and if so, I apologize! You will soon be back home, and can eat whatever you like. Try to enjoy your visit with them!

Answer 4

Have you visited these people before ? Or are you just assuming they SLAB butter, fat and salt on everything?

Yes it can be seen as offensive to stick your nose in the air and not eat something of what is place on the table.

My daughter is allergic to 25 different food items, on top of that her bf eats nothing with onions in it, NO fish (the smell makes him vomit), no stuffing or crust foods but pizza. So I can understand finicky eating habits. Over time we compromised - our table now has some foods she can eat , he likes and the rest of the family likes. It took time to see if he was going to be around for a while. :)

Try your best to eat something his family takes the time and effort to prepare - it is common courtesy. If all else fails - take them out to eat. Taking over his mother's kitchen is not a good idea , if this guy is important to you.

Answer 5

That is a tough one - good luck. I do agree with some of the other comments made about working with what you can. Perhaps take some fruit along that you can keep with you to snack on after dinner, or go out and get a salad after dinner. I think you can still eat what you prefer without insulting them - although I agree that enough butter is enough...

Answer 6

Eat what you can. You should be pretty much in charge of your own seasoning and condiments, so the butter, salt, etc. shouldn't be a problem. If they're completely unwilling to make things you can eat (I assume they already know), then just grin and bear it, eat what you can. Since you are not a vegetarian, they probably don't think it's necessary to make changes.

Answer 7

Since he's your boyfriend he is aware of your eating preferences. What has he suggested? If he doesn't seem to care you might have the wrong boyfriend!

Eat out as often as possible and when at home choose the healthiest foods on the table. It won't kill you for a short time. Please don't be rude. These could wind up being your in-laws some day.

Answer 8

i have been a vegetarian for nearly 20 yrs....
as a young teenager our family was planning to visit my grandparents....and my grandma was very much a know it all....and before we went on our trip she told my mom that everyone was expected to eat whatever she cooks, including meat....so my mom said "well, i guess we won't be coming to visit then"....she immediately realised that visiting with family was more important than enforcing her beliefs and she changed the eating rules....
....here are some suggestions i have:
you could offer to help with the preparation of meals (and even the grocery shopping), so that you know your food is prepared the way you like it
you could eat out as much as possible
go buy your own groceries and prepare your own food
make do with whatever you ARE able to eat
make sure your your bf is supportive of you and will "stick up" for you if his family gives you a hard time
good luck...i'm sure it will work out!

Answer 9

When you get there go to the store and make a big enough salad everynight for dinner for all the people there. Just fill up on this as much as possible, and go very lightly for the things they make. I wouldn't avoid their cooking altogether or there might be hurt feelings, but this will keep you from starving and show them that you want to help out with dinner.

Answer 10

Well, eat their food if you can. But in all honesty, your boyfriend should have a nice talk with them in your defense and make it a point to have something there that you prefer to eat. It is his place in my opinion to step up and do that much for you since you are the guest. I would feel pretty let down if he didn't at least try to do that.

Answer 11

Tell me about it! I'm in Taiwan- and let me tell you- they HATE boneless skinless chicken breast, and that's the staple of my diet- you can't find it anywhere. So, I have to cook, or eat at this one place that has it. Anyhow, maybe if you tell them that you get physically ill from eating butter, etc... They will be more willing to make accommodations if they know that it isn't just because you don't like their cooking. Good luck :)