Eating healthy makes you lose friends. Trust me, I have tried

Dieting made me feel lonely and miserable.

Sarwat Fatima Sarwat Fatima
सितंबर 04, 2017
No one wants to go out with you if you want to eat spinach instead of pasta. Photo Courtesy: YouTube/ Kellogg's

 

Two things happened when I cut down on junk food and started eating healthy. One--I lost weight. Two--I became friendless. Wondering what's the connection between eating clean and a thriving social circle? Well, apparently there is.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, clean eating devotees are judged almost as negatively as those with anorexia. And no, this ain't just a research. This is the gospel of truth.

The Decision to Eat Healthy

So, a couple of months ago I was trying on some old pair of jeans when I realized I could no longer fit into them. This instilled in me determination to eat healthy. That meant no fried momos, no pasta, no chips, and so on. The first week went by fine and I stuck to eating salads and boiled vegetables. However, trouble started when some of my friends called me to confirm an outing we had planned for a Saturday night.

Dieting Is a Lone Journey

It's hard, really, when everyone around you is eating scrumptious delights while you are munching on kale and spinach. It takes every ounce of strength in your body to not let go. So, when I finally went out with my friends to our favourite restaurant, things went a little different for me. When I ordered a plate of Caesar salad instead of my classic favourite macaroni and cheese--my girl gang was taken aback. When I told them about my new resolution to eat healthy, they laughed it off and said it was just a phase. Some even went onto place bets, saying that I will not be able to hold in my urges for more than a week.

And that led to…

A No Temptation Week

When I realized that I was alone in this battle, I refused to go out with friends on lunches and dinners, fearing that I will actually give in to the temptation. Plus, being judged all the time for eating boiled vegetables instead of creamy pasta was really getting on my nerves. I started cancelling plans and turned down all social outings. After a couple of weeks of staying at home on the weekends and eating healthy, I lost almost three kgs. However, I had no one to celebrate my victory with.

I Became a Social Pariah

Okay fine, that's an exaggeration. But, it certainly felt like that. In order to stay strong, I had distanced myself from all my friends who had no plans to lose weight. Moreover, they too felt uncomfortable eating junk food around me, so they let me be. My social calendar looked empty as there were no invitations to parties, brunches, or dinners. I was all by myself with a bowl of salad in my hand, sitting in front of the idiot box on a Saturday night. It was then I realized that my decision to eat clean had rendered me friendless. I am not proud to say this, but I gave up on the whole idea after a few weeks because I was itching to go out and sit in company of my friends without feeling guilty or unhappy.

So, I started binging on junk food again and my friends were more than happy to let me in. Some friends, I tell you.

Also read: Wanna diet to lose weight? Watch this video first

Also read: 3 reasons why yo-yo dieting is the worst thing you can do to yourself

 

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