Dinner party without Paleo options -- or More like without *willpower*
madwells1
Posts: 510 Member
Tonight I had the wonderful experience of having a birthday party thrown for me. To my friends that did this, I thank them, but I also want to post how hard it was for me, and how awful I feel physically after the fact.
In short, my friends had a dinner party for me, and one spent hours making a beautiful dinner of homemade Italian meat sauce, with homemade Italian sausage and meatballs. The unfortunate thing (for me) is that they served it on pasta, and had the most beautiful french bread as a side.
One thing I have a true problem with is bread. And wine. After a glass of wine (or two), I become ambivalent to what I put in my mouth. It's not to say I am drunk, but I get this really flush and happy feeling when drinking a nice Cabernet that just seems to pair nicely with all the food that is in front of me.
Anyways, I felt obliged to eat the meat sauce with a little pasta, and of course, soak up my plate with a nice chunk of fresh french bread smothered in butter. I rationalized this as 'it isn't that much' and it won't have that much of an impact on me....of course that would have been okay, but when dinner was done, out came TWO beautiful birthday cakes for me...they didn't know which one I would like better so they made both. Of course, not to be rude, I supplemented my after dinner coffee with two small tastes of cake.
Now, a few hours later, I feel awful. The sugar rush from the wine, pasta, and bread has pretty much made it's way into my system and I feel nauseous and almost hungover (note I am not drunk nor was I). I reflect on how I could have said 'no' to what I was offered without appearing ungrateful. I honestly don't think that type of behavior is realistic sometimes, but if anyone has any insight, please feel free to share it.
The main point is. I don't expect my friends to always supplement their meals with 100% paleo things especially because I can usually easily choose the smartest options with what is put in front of me--the unfortunate part comes when I simply can't say no, especially in social situations where I feel obliged to eat what is front of me (thanks mom)! For example, if I would have declined cake, I would have really felt like a putz, especially since they made the cake for me.
All in all, it was a great dinner, and I love my friends so much for going out of their way. On the flip side, I feel pretty awful right now, particularly because I have been pretty strict paleo for over 100 days, and the sugar is kicking my butt.
I thought I'd post this as this has been something that happens to me from time to time, and I don't particularly no how to deal with it as food sometimes is such a 'social' thing in my life.
I guess tomorrow is another day, and I should enjoy my friends thoughts and jump back on the wagon.
**Side note for all the CICO MFP zealots, I did come in under my calories, and that isn't so much what I am feeling bad about. More so its the type of food I put in my mouth tonight, and the affect it has on my body. Sugar and refined flour kills me....
In short, my friends had a dinner party for me, and one spent hours making a beautiful dinner of homemade Italian meat sauce, with homemade Italian sausage and meatballs. The unfortunate thing (for me) is that they served it on pasta, and had the most beautiful french bread as a side.
One thing I have a true problem with is bread. And wine. After a glass of wine (or two), I become ambivalent to what I put in my mouth. It's not to say I am drunk, but I get this really flush and happy feeling when drinking a nice Cabernet that just seems to pair nicely with all the food that is in front of me.
Anyways, I felt obliged to eat the meat sauce with a little pasta, and of course, soak up my plate with a nice chunk of fresh french bread smothered in butter. I rationalized this as 'it isn't that much' and it won't have that much of an impact on me....of course that would have been okay, but when dinner was done, out came TWO beautiful birthday cakes for me...they didn't know which one I would like better so they made both. Of course, not to be rude, I supplemented my after dinner coffee with two small tastes of cake.
Now, a few hours later, I feel awful. The sugar rush from the wine, pasta, and bread has pretty much made it's way into my system and I feel nauseous and almost hungover (note I am not drunk nor was I). I reflect on how I could have said 'no' to what I was offered without appearing ungrateful. I honestly don't think that type of behavior is realistic sometimes, but if anyone has any insight, please feel free to share it.
The main point is. I don't expect my friends to always supplement their meals with 100% paleo things especially because I can usually easily choose the smartest options with what is put in front of me--the unfortunate part comes when I simply can't say no, especially in social situations where I feel obliged to eat what is front of me (thanks mom)! For example, if I would have declined cake, I would have really felt like a putz, especially since they made the cake for me.
All in all, it was a great dinner, and I love my friends so much for going out of their way. On the flip side, I feel pretty awful right now, particularly because I have been pretty strict paleo for over 100 days, and the sugar is kicking my butt.
I thought I'd post this as this has been something that happens to me from time to time, and I don't particularly no how to deal with it as food sometimes is such a 'social' thing in my life.
I guess tomorrow is another day, and I should enjoy my friends thoughts and jump back on the wagon.
**Side note for all the CICO MFP zealots, I did come in under my calories, and that isn't so much what I am feeling bad about. More so its the type of food I put in my mouth tonight, and the affect it has on my body. Sugar and refined flour kills me....
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It's hard for me too, but it gets easier and easier as time goes on. The key for me has been to talk about how I eat with people before social events so that there are no awkward surprises. I talk about my food sensitivities, why I follow a Paleo diet, and explain why I don't eat certain things anymore. Then I always try to bring a few Paleo friendly hors deurves and bring plenty to share (Whole 30 hot wings made in the air fryer with paleo ranch are always a huge hit and a safe food for me). Now that my friends and coworkers understand, I feel a lot less pressure. I am starting to realize that the guilt I felt/feel about not eating everything that is served at a party was something that I imposed on myself. I think I also used that guilt as an excuse to cheat. There is a lot of freedom involved in just saying "Thanks but no thanks!" Keep up the fight!!1
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