Food is not just fuel. For some its an expression of love or nurture. It's also family culture or family bonding time. And then there's other people's self esteem weirdness.
So when you break away from the typical food culture of your family, don't be surprised if some take it as you are rejecting their love/nurture, some take it like you are shunning the family or bonding time, or some take it like you are judging or dissing them personally and it is an attack on their self esteem somehow.
Quote:
We are going on a camping trip in June and July and I was telling my Dad that I don't think I will be eating with them, because I can't have a lot of stuff (I'm going to always be strict on sugar...as much as I possibly can).
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I agree with being assertive about your needs but consider how you put things across to others.
I assume Dad is the camping host/leader person. I've been the big family organizer and it is a PAIN. :P
"I can't eat your food. I will bring my own and make my own" sounds different than "How can I help you with planning the food?"
One can be seen as rejection, setting you apart from the herd.
The other is an offer of help and trying to maintain the family unit while putting you in a position to make sure your needs are going to be met.
A.