Food Pharisees

I've seen that term a few times on different blogs, and, being accused of such (not with such creative words, though), have spent some time thinking on it.



And thinking on it almost always translates into blogging about it.



In case you're not sure: The phrase is usually used to describe a person who eats healthy (their version of it, anyway) as often as possible. It's usually used in blogs to say, "we're doing x, y, z, but we're not Food Pharisees or anything." Apparently this is said so that no one reading, who happens to NOT be doing x, y, or z will feel in any way judged or offended.



I think I'm finding a double-standard. I say think, because I'm open to other explanations that I may not be seeing here. Feel free to educate me.


But so far, the double-standard I see is this:



The phrase, indeed the judgment, is almost always applied to healthy-eaters exclusively. Usually fresh-food lovers, organic/local eaters.



I've never seen it used to describe anyone else.



Which is strange, to me.



WHY does someone adhere to 'healthy eating?' For myself, it's because I'm thoroughly convinced that to take the best care of myself (my temple) I need to be making conscious, careful decisions, in what I buy, how I cook, what I eat. I do it because I want to be a good steward of my body and it's health and strength. Because I have so many responsibilities which take so much of me. Because I have a husband and children who I want to be with for many more years. Because to accomplish what God has called me to, I must be at my best, and I think nutrition plays a huge part in that. Nutrition is doing my part.



Apparently that is offensive to some.



But take, for instance, another similar person.



They have a lot of weight to lose. They become convinced that they must lose the weight so as to be a good steward of their body. Because they want to 'be all they can be' in God, and the weight is hindering that. Because they have others that depend on them. Because they want to extend their healthy years... When this person starts Weight-Watchers, or goes on the Atkins' Diet, I don't see anyone terribly annoyed. When this person declines cake and ice cream at a birthday party, no one takes offense or assumes they're "too good" for what's offered.



Celiacs avoid gluten (i.e. a HUGE percentage of American food) for their health. No one feels judged when they bring gluten-free dishes to a potluck.



ADD/ADHD sufferers find some help in avoiding dyes and additives.



Autism shows positive responses with diets high in raw- and fermented-dairy products.



So what is it with the healthy/organic/natural adheree? Why do they enjoy special status? Is it because they don't usually lay their convictions at the feet of another (i.e. "Atkins' Diet, Feingold Diet, Vegetarianism, Kosher")? Is there some unnoticed compound in organic food that causes the eater to exude offense whithersoever she goest?



*I* don't feel offended if someone declines some freaky healthfood I might offer. I may tease them about it, acknowledging that it might not meet their beer-and-twinkies preference, but that it won't kill them either. Too, I think it's only appropriate to inform people about what's in something they might eat. I often write ingredients on a shared dish, or tell it's intended recipient what's in it. Perhaps that may come across as a criticism.

Have you heard the term "Food Pharisees?" Do you see it as a double standard, or are there other meanings I'm missing here?