I was reading an article in today’s Parade magazine about how kids can teach us to eat better. It touched on a topic that hits close to home for most food addicts.

Often with someone who has a food addiction or anyone who is working to lose some weight, it is family and friends who present the greatest challenges.

Food saboteurs may come in different shapes and sizes, but most of the ones I’ve met are not overweight.

They seem to have the collective goal of getting us to eat things that will inevitably trigger our food addiction and yank us off plan.

Why bully someone into eating something you know will cause them to fall off the wagon? It doesn’t make sense. Family and friends should support you, not use the relationship to pull rank or shame you into doing something they know you don’t want to do.

It happens all the time. When drinking was expected of any respectful guest back in the 70’s, I was continually barraged with demands that I join the party so I didn’t make the hostess look bad.

Being a non-drinker, this made me feel embarrassed and irritated. It ruined many evenings for me. Later, when I began using food to stuff down my feelings, I considered myself lucky that I was only a food addict and not an alcoholic.

Today’s article made an important point. Kids turn down food if they don’t want it. They don’t worry about offending people.

Joy Bauer’s article rightly points out that adults usually eat what’s put in front of them. Add a little coaxing or subtle bullying and there goes the trigger.

So, don’t be afraid to offend. Be polite, but don’t eat something you don’t really want, whether it’s something that might trigger your food addiction or something you just don’t care for. It’s okay to say no.

No wonder kids feel so empowered. Too bad that many don’t stay that way. All the more reason to listen to your inner child.