To be upset by MIL's comments

You definitely have to be firm and tell her that you don't want to hear comments about what and how much you eat. Tell her if she says anything, you're going no contact for a time. She likely is jealous of your size and that you can eat normally and maintain it. I'm guessing she eats more than you're seeing. Alcohol and crisps aren't filling, and alcohol makes you gain weight like crazy.

Can you speak to your DP about it? What does he say? Had a similar issue with my MIL, remind yourself she is the one in the wrong, you have escaped disordered eating and she is still trapped in it, feel sorry for her and try and not let it get to you

Sounds like some form of projection. From what you say your MIL has a very poor diet consisting mostly of junk calories (alcohol and crisps), so maybe the comments about your food intake are a deflection of attention onto you in order she can avoid having to face up to her own poor eating habits. Remember that ultimately tactics like that don't work, since when you have parted company she is still lumbered with her own issues whilst you are enjoying life, no matter what she has said to you.

It reminds me a bit of a large woman in the bridge club many years ago when I was a very slender build who commented to me I need to eat a decent meal. I was far too mature to respond by saying it is difficult to get a decent meal after you've helped yourself.

I would hate the fact that I'm being watched like that,full stop,surely there's something more interesting going on than watching you eat.my own mother was picky like that,stayed with me a long time,so I moved 500 miles away.

"welcome to my world .. won't you come on in" 🤣 but with mother and grandma in law!!!

My MiL also keeps a very close eye on what I eat and always comment (rudely) on it.
I am a size 8 and say how lucky I am that I can eat whatever I like and stay slim. She absolutely hates it!
She also very much enjoys telling me if she thinks I've put on weight... recently I acted delighted and said "ah thanks, I think I look great!" Haha the face!

Say this, " luckily for me my metabolism is as fast as a mans, yours must be awfully slow to be forced to eat like a bird!"
😂

She should think before she speaks! She is obviously the one with the problem. Don't give it a second thought hun, sounds like you have a good healthy appetite please keep it that way and don't let her make you want to go back to your old eating habits. Ignore her spiteful, pathetic comments, she should sort herself out. She is WELL OUT OF ORDER! You have yourself a wonderful,happy and healthy new year hun.💜

She's jealous, plain and simple. Enjoy your food with a smile and try to ignore her comments. People that say things like this usually want a reaction so try not to give her the satisfaction

Yep I’ve had this loads of times from family, I think a basic fu*k off you’re being rude, does the trick !

or you explain, ‘you know as I’ve had issues in the past with food, I eat more consciously now and my portions are fine thanks’ (so F off ) x

This. On repeat.

I really feel for you, so tricky to deal with comments like that particularly when you have a history of issues with eating. However, in my experience passive aggressive put downs rarely work and often leave me feeling on edge if I make them. If your DP were to respond about how it looks like a regular portion to him and he loves a woman with a healthy appetite, she might just shut up…..

Another passive/aggressive person, sorry it's your MIL ,she needs stopped in her tracks....put your food on your plate,wait til everyone is sat down to eat,I'm guessing around the table?hold your plate up to your MIL to inspect and ask her in front of everyone,if that's ok for you to eat,since she comments on what you eat.that should put a stop to it.hopefully....

Smile, and say nothing... and continue eating.

If you need more responses, I think you should smile serenely and say indeed good food has been one of life’s true pleasures for thousands of years.

I like this approach, as from what you said she is looking for sore points to put you down a bit, probably some jealously over her boy? Even if you’re not confident, I would feign confidence and don’t rise to her provocations this Xmas. Good luck!

I would have not have been able to resist saying "mind your business" as a reflex. You should tell her.

Have you asked her to stop making these comments? What was her response?

Where is your dh? ‘Dh you weren’t listening and you haven’t thought about me here. I have a history of disordered eating- my mental health is sensitive to these comments and I need you to support and say something. It might just be I think x looks amazing, but if you can’t commit to that I can’t go.

snd if you have a daughter or are still having dc: add Also, if our daughter gets any kind of eating issues and I haven’t seen you capable of shutting comments down then your mum can’t be in her life, full stop.

That is so rude of her. Seems like she can't believe that you can eat normal portions and still be slim. Whereas she has to watch what she eats to maintain her figure. Definitely sounds like envy. But she could just say nothing, the fact that she repeatedly says something is the issue. She definitely needs to be called out.

I'd grab the turkey leg and chomp it slowly while staring at her.

The best (and funniest) thing to do in these situations is to take her words as a compliment even if she is trying to insult you, and respond accordingly. Something like, ‘Thank you, Mavis. You’re right - I do love a good big dinner and your cooking is great so I want to do it justice. I’m lucky I have a pretty fast metabolism, aren’t I?’

Inclined to agree.

also noticed your username is an amazing response in itself ‘How Festive of you Brenda’ would be an Excellent response all by itself.

"It's very kind of you to be concerned about my food consumption Karen. I'm actually on this awesome diet right now, since you mention it. It's called the what other people eat is none of your fucking business diet. I think you should give it a go!"

Agreed