Be Steadfast: The Right to Bear Snacks

After last Monday’s blog about pickiness, I had a funny experience that made me think about boundaries and challenges we are all presented with in our everyday decisions to eat better.

The other day, I was on my way to a baseball game with my boyfriend. That morning, In preparation for an entire day sans breakfast in the sun with no food options available, I reliably packed my usual survival smorgasbord of goodies: Zico (coconut water), almond butter packs, larabars, vegan muffin, banana, water. I was fully stocked and feeling great that I wouldn’t have to risk turning into a crabby, hungry witch once my metabolism started revving from my yoga class. When Brian asked me how I would make it all day with nothing available but hotdogs and beer, I proudly showed him my stash. When he mentioned the rule against outside food and drink in the stadium, I got fired up…Was this serious?? The possibility hadn’t even crossed my mind. They couldn’t really deny me access to a game over some little snacks, right?

It was bad enough that there wasn’t one thing in the entire stadium that could qualify as healthy and now they wanted my food. Unbelievable! It’s almost as if there is an unwritten code of entertainment establishments, ie: stadiums, movie theaters, and many bars, prohibiting anything that can’t give you a heart attack on the spot. It is interesting that these are the same places where it is “forbidden” to bring in outside food. Yes, I realize I am not their target audience but we have a hard enough time working to be healthier and the last thing we need are rules that almost force us to eat junk.

Just as a matter of principle, I decided to put up a fight. Since I was with a group of twenty people, I opted for the discreet approach instead of speaking my peace to the security guard while holding up a hundred-person line. And although I knew my little snacks were the least of their problems and they probably wouldn’t confiscate them, I decided to hide everything, just in case.

As I strolled up to the checkpoint with everything stuffed but my bra, I realized the lengths I go sometimes just to be healthy! By the 5th inning when my stomach started rumbling, my contraband Larabar saved the day.

Even when we attempt to have healthy food around, there are times when it is awkward, uncomfortable, and difficult to make it happen. Maybe you have a southern belle mother-in-law and a dinner at her house is filled with comfort food, or you work in an office that peer pressures you into daily mid-afternoon baked good gossip sessions. Certainly, there are times when it is not easy to go against the grain. It doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. It just requires a little creativity and confidence in your better choices.

Aside from bringing out your inner rebel and taking food into entertainment locations, here are some ideas for tricky food situations:

**When attending anyone’s house for a social gathering, take the time to make and bring a dish. You would bring something anyway, so even though it takes more time and effort, bearing a delicious homemade item will also give you something to eat if you are hungry, and takes all pressure off of the cook, especially if they know you are discriminatory about your food. Just find out what is being served and make something to compliment it.

**Even when healthy choices are slim pickings at catered events, weddings, and restaurants, more times than not if you are really sweet about it--that part is key--it is sometimes possible to get something special made. Ask for dressing on the side, inquire about a vegetarian option, ask for steamed instead of sautéed, if you can’t control your portions, ask to have the remainder wrapped to go or just have the server take it away.

**Before going on a trip, spend 10 minutes on the internet and research food establishments in the area. Know where the closest health food store or better restaurant option is, it might be completely achievable to pick up some great food instead of eating whatever is available or just grabbing junk food from the hotel gift shop.