You’ve changed your eating habits for the better. You’re losing weight. As your new habits become obvious, suddenly everyone seems to have an opinion about what you’re eating and what they think you should eat instead. Here’s how to deal with food pushers and food police during weight loss.

What are Food Pushers?
Food pushers are people who push you to eat.
They say things like,
“Here, have a brownie.”
“Come, on, just one more won’t hurt.”
“I can’t believe you aren’t going to eat this after I went to all the trouble.”
You’ll know you are dealing with a food pusher when they act personally offended if you don’t eat the food they offer.
Sometimes these people are well-intentioned and have gotten into the habit of loving others with food.
Other times, their intentions are passive aggressive. They might have their own food issues and are jealous of your healthy efforts.
I’m not sure why but it often seems like food pushers are someone close to you like a mother, mother-in-law or co-worker so it makes the situation a bit tricky.
How to Deal with Food Pushers
Use 2 words to deal with food pushers.
“No, thanks.”
You, and only you, control the food that goes into your mouth and this is deeply powerful.
If you give in to a food pushers and eat what they offer even though you don’t want it, you are responsible for this choice. It’s not the food pusher’s fault that you ate. Own your choices.
You owe no explanations, although you can give them if you want to.
If you know you have a food pusher in your life, having a statement prepared in advance is helpful.
Here are a few ideas of statements you can have ready if you have a food pusher in your life:
- “Thanks, but I’m way too full.”
- “No thanks, I’m not hungry.”
- “Thanks, but not today.”
- “I’m not hungry now but if you wrap it up I would love to take a piece home for later.”
With these strategies in place, you don’t have to worry that someone who pushes food at you will derail your weight loss goals.
What are Food Police?
Food police are the opposite of food pushers.
Food police are people who have taken it upon themselves to make it their personal job that you follow your diet correctly.
I’m a pastor’s wife and a few years ago at a church potluck, a lady came up to me, surveyed my plate with a critical eye, then asked, “Should you really be eating all that?!“
I wanted nothing more than to go back to the buffet table, load up my plate with 15 more brownies and start chowing them down right in front of her. Seriously!
Food police often have good enough intentions. This person might be a worried spouse, a concerned parent, or a fellow WW member who is just a bit too self-righteous in their endeavors. (Then again, it could also be a rude person sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.)
How to Deal with Food Police
While food police and food pushers may have different behaviors, the way you handle them can be the same.
Say, “No thanks” to their offer or intrusion.
Have a prepared statement will help if you run into food police.
- “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”
- “Thanks, but I know what I need to eat.”
- “Thanks for your concern but I’ve got my eating under control.”
- “I only discuss my food choices with my doctor.”
- “I appreciate your concern, but what I eat is up to me.”
While it might be tempting to come back with a snarky comment, I encourage you to offer grace. You’ll feel so much better about yourself when you take the high road.
Have you had to deal with food pushers or food police during your weight loss? How have you handled it? Share in the comments below.
For more on this topic, I recommend the book Boundaries.

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Wow, Cheryl, that is some pretty serious food police issues you have going on. It’s so great that you recognize it and have found ways to tell her that you have it under control. I know that’s not easy to manage on an ongoing basis, though. Keep up the hard work.
Oh My Goodness!!!! You just hit one of my sisters perfectly. She drives me crazy – I feel like I am 5 and she is my mom… Heck I am the older sister… LOL She will throw out the shadiest comments.. mean, hurtful things. NO support at all. If you call her on it she will say sorry you took it that way -still laying the blame on me. she is sorry that I took it that way??? what other way would you take a comment like “you need to put the food down and back away from the table” Or letting everyone in ear shot hear “OMG I thought you were on a diet” Or “you are so stupid for wasting your money on WW, you know what you need to do, just do it.” The worse part is we share a house. I have even caught her going through my garbage and then telling my other sisters what wrappers were in there… This has been almost impossible for me in the past – Now I try really hard to just say – thanks, but I’ve got this. I still get the eye roll or the huff of disgust.. but I really do try to to let her in my head. She is one of my only sisters (7 of us girls) That has never had a weight issue. Even at her biggest during pregnancy she was a size 12… RIGHT! how does this have the right to call me out? The bad part is I am not just an over eater, I am a emotional eater, stress eater and a hidden binge eater. I love your page! I love your support, and I have learned so much through you. Thank you for what you do!
Great insights. Thanks for sharing!
Love this! My mother remained my food police well into my adulthood, and it resulted in me sabotaging myself by eating more in response to her behavior (and consequently gaining weight). Thankfully since my most recent weightloss, she seems to have learned a thing or two and has been much more supportive. As far as the food pushers, I think asking to take some food home to eat later is a great approach.