Sorry, I'm Not Having Any

You know these people. We are surrounded by them every day of every week.  You may even be one, for awhile I sure was.

They offer you food all the time, usually junk food.  They want you to eat it.  They mean well.  They equate food with friendship.  Or happiness.  Or love.  Or whatever. 

I have a name for them.  I call them force feeders. 

Here's how the exchange goes:

Them: "We're having _________, here have some!"

Me: "That's really nice of you to offer, and I really appreciate it, but I already had breakfast/lunch/dinner, so I'm good."

Now, at this point about half of the people respectfully say "Oh, OK" and walk away.  To those people, I say thank you. Keep up the good work. 

But then, there are the people who won't take no for an answer.  They are the force feeders. 

"Come on, we're all eating. Have some!"

"Are you starving yourself?  You should eat!"

"Just have a little...it won't hurt!"

Here is what I tell these people: "I really appreciate the offer, but I'm not having any. Thank you, though."

And, a few of these people have really become heated. And I know they are insulted that I won't eat their food.  Politely declining is not enough. 

And here is why I am not having any, no matter what it is, healthy or not. 

I plan the food out I am going to eat.  Not eating food I didn't plan on eating before I left the house helps control compulsive overeating.  I don't have to worry about situations where surprise food might be available because I am simply not eating it. 

So don't be a force feeder.  Enjoy your food, eat what you'd like.  It's a free country.  Just don't try and make me eat it, because it will be a waste of time.