Felt to embarassed to ask for nutrition information..
 

So Im at Walmart and in the bakery buying whole wheat sub buns. Theres not a nutrition label back there and I wanted to ask the bakery people if they had a list back there and get the info I needed but....

I felt like Im way too fat to ask people that question. Too afraid that they will be like.... why do YOU want to know the calorie count? I guess I need to just get over it. Any of you ladies get this way about dieting stuff? Feel like you have to keep it on the DL or preface your request for the calorie count by showing them a before picture? Lol

I understand where youre coming from, but... I always take the 'I'm paying them for it, so they work for me' kind of view. They should be able to provide you with some sort of nutrition info, no problem... and really, I doubt you'll be the only one asking! :D

I have never liked to ask for nutritional information. After I had my second son, I did Weight Watchers, Curves, and was in the best shape of my life, but I had to work at it. I asked the cashier at Arby's if they had a nutritional information sheet, and she actually laughed and called out another worker to "Come look at this skinny girl! SHE is asking for the nutritional information! Can you believe it? Have a sandwich girl!" I was soooo embarrassed, so thin or chubby, I have never liked asking.

I have the same issues with asking for anything like that. For me, although there's a great deal of personal pride about weight loss, there's also a sense of public shame, somehow, and I find asking for things like nutritional info or dressing on the side embarrassing. I feel that it's silly of me to think this way and I'm not proud of it--why am I more ashamed of being seen making an effort to lose weight than I was of being big?--but there it is.

I take the coward's way out and Google nutritional information or guesstimate it based on other similar items (always rounding up, of course).

Oh, I definitely know where you're coming from!

I really dislike doing stuff like that, and as Nole Celeste said, I will Google if at all possible. BUT . . . this, to me, is one of those uncomfortable things that goes along with weight loss. Just like exercising, or turning down dessert, or dealing with food pushers.

What I tell myself at those times, and what I'm telling you now (and I say this with a sympathetic smile) . . . you're a grown up, so suck it up and do what you know you need to. :)

I thought it was just me. I asbolutely feel shame when asking for or even looking at nutrition info. I went to the grocery store this morning, and I wanted to get a salad dressing...I swear there's half an isle dedicated to dressing, and I wanted to find something low calorie, plus lower sugar and salt...I had to keep picking up bottles and turning them over to look at the back. Thankfully I was the only one in the isle at 8am, but had the isle been busier, I would have been mortified to be checking out the nutrition info.

And asking for nutrition info? I dont! I give anyone whose asked for it credit! I'm just so embarrassed, and I dont know why. NolaCeleste, you are so right that there is some kind of pubic shame attached to asking for info or dressing on the side or making a effort to know what you are eating, but it seems it only if you are fat!! (I will ask for dressing on the side, but I'm more embarrassed if the waiter is an attractive man. Weird, huh??)

And here's the weird part...I would think it would be more shameful if we just went into a food palce and loaded our carts with crap, crap, crap. Eating healthy shows that someone who is over weight has begun to take responsibility for their eating habits, and that should be something to be proud of...but some how I'm not.

I seem to think other people look at me (over weight) make the immediate assumption I eat garbage all day and sit on the couch. They dont know I've been working on losing weight for many months, that I've already lost like 30 lbs, or that I was not this heavy before I had kids (and despite any of that no one should judge an over weight person, but lets face it, people do)...
THEN they see me ask for lite dressing, or grilled chicken or the nutrition info on something and they think "How silly that this fat person thinks by ordering lite dressing on the side she is going to cancel out all the snickers bars she probably just ate."

I get really embarassed about checking labels and asking for nutritional information. I swear when I'm shopping sometimes and I check people give me really funny looks! I don't even like people seeing me exercising outside of a gym. If I exercise at my house, I do it inside with the blinds and currents drawn closed. One day someone saw me power walking and mocked it and I turned beat red. My sister asked me what my problem when she noticed me being weird about it and I said, "As far as people outside a gym are concerned I don't exercise. It's embarassing to exercise all the time and still be fat." I know the whole thing is silly but in a weird way I am very self concious about dieting and exercising and extremely self conscious that I do so much and I'm still very overweight. I hear ya.

I think that the people who have the courage to ask for nutrition shouldn't be made to feel bad but that's just the society we live in.

I'm the same way with a lot of things like that. When I was bigger than I am, I was ashamed to ask because I thought people would think, "Good god, why does she even bother?"

And now that I'm a "normal" weight, and people no longer avoid the topic of weight around me or point out that I'm fat, I'm afraid to ask for the info because people will think I'm obsessed or something. Which I kinda have to be. But it's especially hard when I'm around people I know - they give me this stare that I hate.

But hang in there and do what you've got to do for yourself! Other people will get over it.

I feel like I'm prioritizing ME when I ask questions like that! I might ask the waiter at a restaurant how food is prepared, or to give me food with no butter, etc. And I have asked for calorie count info at places.

Again, this journey is about prioritizing me. Why not give myself all the info I need and all the tools to do it well? :)

Oh! I feel for you but just go ahead and ask. If it helps, explain to the person that you have a fat auntie on a diet or something ;-)

And esp. now...remember you are trying to get healthier and eat better...and knowledge is POWER!

I think you might also be able to look online and just google stuff by brand, such as "great value hamburger buns nutritional information". Or call the stoe to find out. It won't help if you're already there, but it can help you plan your trip.

I ask about stuff all the time. And I let people know that I'm trying to eat well. And that I've lost X number of pounds so far. Helps put it into perspective I guess. They usually are happy for me and very encouraging, esp. with all of the tv shows on now etc. I think that's helped the general population understand more.

Good luck, you CAN do this!

Barb

Same here, when I was bigger I felt ashamed and then when I hit "normal" I felt like people were going to think I was anorexic or obsessed.

You know what, WHY are we having to go out of our way to ASK for this stuff anyway? This kind of info should be readily available, especially in most restaurants (not that they aren't going to fudge the numbers or try to anyway!). The whole situation just presents itself as one of those places that don't post prices next to the menu choices hoping you won't ask out of fear of sounding like some kind of cheapskate.

I remember asking at Arby's once and the employee just looked so "put out" because she had to walk a few steps aaaaaall the way back to office to get one. They should be on the counter for anyone who wants one!

I used to be like that. I think at first I felt like I was "faking"--pretending to be this healthy, energetic person when in reality I was the sort of indulgent eater I always had been. I hated ordering a light dish because I thought it was obvious that I was a cheeseburger-fries kinda girl, and I felt like a little girl dressed up in mom's fancy dressing, thinking she looks like a princess but actually pretty ridiculous. I didn't think I had the RIGHT to be healthy in public.

I will say this: it gets easier with practice. I used to practice OUT LOUD in the car. "I'll have the chicken breast, and roasted vegetables. Can they steam those without butter?" or "Do you all have nutritional information?" or "Does the fruit come with a glaze?" I'd say it over and over until it sounded natural to me, like it was something I did all the time. And after I'd asked these sorts of questions a few times, I came to believe that I was the sort of person who can ask those sort of questions.

And sometimes, when I started to have all these doubts and question in my head, I'd remind myself that these people are total strangers, so &#$* them.

I've never even thought twice about checking out nutrition information at the grocery store. Not when I was 110 pounds, or now as fat me. Maybe because my mom (a health nut) always did it, too. I remember looking at nutrition information when I was a kid.

think of it this way... how many people walking down the aisle really pay attention to what everybody else in the aisle are doing? aren't most people are fixated on themselves and their own shopping? I know I am.

This is me, exactly!

I'm not embarassed... I just ask. Or if I feel like I'm getting the run around or would get faster/better service/my point across easier, I tell a white lie and say "I'm diabetic and I need nutritional values. Could you help me?" (I actually have PCOS, but people know about diabetes more than they know about PCOS).

Or just look it up online. Google "nutrtion wheat bread" and it will get you close enough. It is

http://caloriecount.about.com/calori...repared-i18075

And then all you need is a food scale to weight it. One slice is usually about 1 oz though.

A.

I'm not one to be too concerned what others think. I don't like over 50% of the people in Walmart at any given time so... :shrug:

But, if you're really concerned, I'd just say "May I see the nutritional information and ingredients to check for allergens?" Then it has zero to do with your weight and they're not going to tell you no because it could be life threatening. And hey... getting fatter is life threatening right? ;)

Just always realize you are the consumer and whatever you say is what they need to do to help you out. Don't be ashamed, people should see you doing this and think "she's trying to better herself/himself and that's amazing" people should see this and be inspired and if they do make you feel bad about it realize they are going to be like that forever and aren't worth the time.

I spend tons of time in the aisles looking at nutritional information and putting stuff back. It wouldn't occur to me that anyone would even notice that. I probably wouldn't ask for it because interactions give me anxiety sometimes, but if it is there I wouldn't be ashamed to look.

I'm working really hard on overcoming this. I do still find it easier to use an app or google to look up NI for more common stuff though.

I remember the first couple of times I went running outside. I ran past this guy on his front step smoking and drinking a slurpee. I was convinced that I saw him snicker at me. The next time I ran past him I realized that I was exercising my body while he was out there smoking and drinking a sugary drink again. I immediately felt better about myself and just kept running.

Think of how much or how little you notice others in the grocery store. I know that I rarely pay attention to others and what they're doing (unless they're in my way! ;)) because I'm too focused on my shopping and reading NI labels! I'm sure most people are off in their own worlds too.

Just remember - you're doing all this to improve yourself and your health. If anyone finds that laughable or shameful, then perhaps they are the ones who should be embarrassed. I've got a couple of snappy retorts rehearsed if anyone ever gives me attitude or judgment.

Well said. This is how I feel.

And to peanutt, kudos for running outside! I can not being myself to do that. I tell myself when the day comes that I'm thin, I will...And I hate even thinking like that.

I want to throw this out there about maybe why some of us are more concerned with people's judgements that others. I remember growing up, even though I was over weight, actually probably obese, my dad used to make rude comments about people, but namely "fat women" in my presence. The older I got, the weirder it was, because HELLO!! I was fat! But if he saw a fat woman coming out of a McD's or something, he'd have a commetn to make. He said to me a few years ago, after my step mom went back to work as a more active job, that he was glad because she was going to get as big as a house...Also when he sees famly members that he hasnt seen in a while, the first thing he comments on (never ever to their face, ALWAYS behind there back) is how FAT they got, or if they lost weight! BUT only if its a female...

My dad, I think is even more of a weight bigit than I'm aware, and I'm pretty aware. I wonder if this is why I think everyone else is secretly judging me.

Is there anyone in your life that lets you in on all their judgements of others? Could that be why?

Well said peanutt. :)

What's weird about my reticence to ask for nutritional information or to "bother" a waiter with a special request is that I've been on or near the other side of that. I've been a thin woman selling books about exercise and weight loss to heavier customers. My husband's worked as a chef and has told me what he thinks of special requests from diners when I asked him about it.

When I was a bookstore clerk, I doubt I even consciously noticed the physiques of the vast majority of people buying diet/health/exercise books. If the buyer was at a heavy extreme, I thought, "Good for you for taking action!" As for special requests, the only one my husband ever scoffed at was the woman who didn't want flour on her fish, then complained when it was served without its breadcrumb coating (hel-LO, breadcrumbs are made from flour too! :D). He never minded other unique requests and even looked at some as a chance to strut his culinary stuff by making special orders truly special.

So I know exactly how ridiculous I'm being when I feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about such things. It's something I'm working to overcome. In the meantime, though, thank goodness for Google so I can look that stuff up. ;)

Hey...I used to work in a bookstore too! I had the same reaction to people buying health/fitness books.

I am very thankful to have online resources at my disposal right now. I think it's wonderful that we can find all sorts of ways to get info that we need as we work on changing ourselves and our habits. All hail Google! :D

I think that the observation made above about our fears/embarrassment having to do with someone close to us and their judgments is quite true....both when comments about weight made were positive or negative. What I mean by this is that I remember very clearly my 500lb father making negative comments about skinnier people ordering "rabbit food" in restaurants when we were out as a family. I'm guessing that many of us can think of examples like this that have maybe contributed to our fear or embarrassment.

Sorry. back to the topic at hand. I don't even notice whether people are or are not looking at nutritional information. And I certainly wouldn't think anything bad or weird about a bigger person reading them. Honestly, there are SO many things to worry about, this should be one you try and let go. That said, I don't like to run outside because I am always afraid someone is going to say I run like Phoebe from Friends.

I have never had any problems with looking at nutrition labels, but I have had problems asking for it when it wasn't there. For me it is a combination of embarrassment and a shy personality. I'm lucky to have a hubby who will ask for me if needed. For restaurants I always google ahead of time.

As for the wal-mart bakery in particular, he has been told by several bakery employees that they only have an ingredients list and that for products that they have nutrition info they have already labeled them. So he asked if he could get the exact ingredient breakdown, including amounts, in order to be able to determine the nutrition info himself. He was told that would be the equivalent of giving him the recipe and was therefore, proprietary. So, Jonesie, while I do hope that you (and I and everyone else who has trouble) are eventually able to ask for these things for yourself, it may or may not do you any good if you are at a wal-mart bakery.

Unfortunately being overweight seems to go hand in hand with being insecure. (but we all knew that!) The last thing we want to do is draw attention to ourselves and our food. I almost feel "damned if you do, damned if you don't" sometimes in that situation. Will I be judged for asking for nutritional info vs. filling my cart with junk food. Thankfully, making the decision to take better care of yourself is not a decision you have to consult anyone on. Also along the lines of those who worked in a bookstore, I don't work in retail, but I work in the medical field and I encounter hundreds of people a day. I think when that's your job you just don't hold onto it. You take care of your customer and move on. I hope you'll take a chance and ask the questions you need the answers to. I wouldn't worry about other customers. Your courage may be contagious and give someone else the courage they need to ask a similar question or to simply make a better food choice because they saw someone else (you!) do the same thing.

http://www.myfit nesspal.com/nutrition-facts-calories/walmart-bakery
I found this a couple months ago when I was jonesing for one of their cupcakes. All I did was google "Walmart bakery nutritional info". Good luck!
Edit: hmm, just realized it edited out part of the url.
enter in the abpove url without the space between "fit" and "ness"

Well, I'm generally a confident person in most regards, but asking for special requests or specific information about food is tougher.

For me, I think that part of it is the "I don't want to be a PITA" syndrome. I remember working retail; I remember how much I loved friendly customers, how pleased I was to answer questions or place a special order or just chat a bit. I also remember the few persnickety sacks o' doo-lolly who ran me ragged without ever a word of thanks or so much as a brief smile. They were few and far between, but they were day-ruiners.

I dread being one of those.

It's really foolish, though, because if I think back, I never minded going above and beyond--not for anyone who was even mildly courteous. It was a source of pride that I could guess a book from even the vaguest description ("Uh, hi, I'm looking for a book? It's got a blue cover? The author's first name begins with 'J?' Do you have it?") or procure even an obscure special order. Not only did such requests not bother me, they were welcome as they gave me a chance to look like Super-Bookstore-Chick. :D

So why on earth should I quail at asking the waiter to serve my dressing on the side as long as I accompany the request with a winning smile, some "please" and "thank you," and a good tip? ****, I would love waiting on my table because I am an awesome customer--even if I DO make a special request. :)

Please don't feel bad asking for help. Please. Because you may not know this but there is a very good chance you are a hero to someone at your local Wal-mart. You have already lost a good deal of weight, and people notice that.

I shop at our local (smallish) Wal-mart frequently. Matter of fact I'll be going there in a little bit. I've been shopping there for years and because we live in a very rural area many of the employees there have been there since the store opened. They have watched me transform. I can't even begin to tell you how many of my Wal-mart "girls" have complimented me or asked me about my weight loss over the last few years. SO...even if you think they are talking behind your back and making fun, just keep doing the awesome job you are doing. Before you know it they'll be asking YOU for nutritional information! Seriously.

While you have absolutely every right to want to know what you're buying, and are aware of that right, doesn't take away the embarrassment of asking for some of us in my opinion. I feel the same way you do. I always try to camouflage when I'm looking at nutrition labels... and even though I know it's irrational to feel embarrassed, and no one is probably paying attention to me anyway it still doesn't change the way I feel. I just suck it up... it is just one more reason to be motivated to lose weight. I know once I'm in shape I'll feel smug and proud as I flaunt my nutrition label reading at the grocery store;)

I'm the opposite. I'll ask for nutritional info at the drop of a hat. I'm a little OCD about reading, and nutritional labels are one of those things that I have to read. I carry a mini-book of common restaurant chain nutritional menus in my purse. :o

My husband isn't thrilled by my enthusiasm, since he's a lot like most other people. He hates asking for nutritional info. He's like, "We're eating at MCDONALDS. Why are you asking about nutritional info?! This is far from nutritious!" Why do I? Well, because I HAVE to know what's going into my body, good or bad. ;)

Next time you go in there, go on and request it. You have every right to as their customer.:hug:

chickybird - that is awesome, thank you. I can now eat and log a couple of bread that I frequently go without because of not being able to log them. WooHoo! Off to WM now.

I feel that way... not with just asking for calorie counts but also for asking things to be cooked with no oil or sauce, dressings on the side. I think I feel like I'm being high maintenance or people might think I'm OCD about my diet... I wish I could prance around like a naturally skinny person that doesn't need to worry about calories. but you know what, it all comes down to not caring what others think and doing what's best for you. Either people worry about other's weights, then they worry about what and how you are eating. ;)

I absolutely know what you mean. I'm sometimes even ashamed to order salads or diet sodas because I'm afraid people will thing "Who are you kidding?" Anything that could call even the slightest attention to my size terrifies me.

I have no qualms about looking at nutritional information on packages, or making special requests when ordering food. I don't notice what other people are buying in a grocery store, or whether they look for nutritional info on packages, so I guess I just assume others wouldn't do the same to me.

Label-reading isn't an issue for me because I've always done it; it's fascinating to me what sorts of things companies will do to make their product look better than it is. (Did you know that fat-free graham crackers actually have ten calories more per serving than the regular kind? Gotta love when they replace fat with sugar.) It's just stuff that requires me to involve another person like a waiter or a clerk that makes me uncomfortable.

The phrase you used, Ringmaster--"high maintenance"--that's what I fear being. Not just with food-related stuff, either; this thread has made me realize that I won't ask a clerk to find a dress in another size, won't call back to check on a prescription unless there's an automated system instead of a person, won't return an item most of the time, won't ask a waiter for anything. It all goes back to not wanting to be a bother, not wanting to be high-maintenance--it's totally silly because I am a sweetheart customer and a big tipper. I know too much about what it's like to be on the other side not to be that way.

This thread has made me resolve to be a little more assertive (but I promise to be courteous and tip well still). :D

Glad you like it!

I ordered a salad in a restaurant one day and the waiter looked up in surprise because I ordered it just as it came with no changes. He said most customers customize their orders.

I've never had a problem requesting items to eliminate things I dislike, like mayonnaise or paprika. I never thought about the waiter was thinking.

Why not read labels in the store? They're giving you the information you want to choose which item you'll buy. For all anyone else knows, you're looking at the ingredient list to make sure *** is not included. I price compare for different sizes and brands as well and don't think about what people think of that either. I really only pay attention to other people when they're blocking the aisle or blocking the merchandise I want to look at or buy.

I have had to ask for special requests for a long time due to my lactose intolerance and being vegetarian. In fact the joke in my family is to tell the waiter do you want the hard order first or last. I never once have had a waiter complain.