Eating at Social Events

loseweight3838
loseweight3838 Posts: 10 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm curious about the approach people take at social gatherings when there is lots of unhealthy food around.

For me it seems no matter how much I tell myself to limit eating bad food I always end up eating more than I should. It's particularly difficult when your offered the food and you don't want to offend the host. Or even that you don't want to look out of place by not eating what everyone else is.

I'm wondering should I just not worry about it and splurge ? or find a way to resist overdoing it

Any feedback / suggestions would be welcomed

Replies

  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    I typically know when I have an event. I try and have a "defacite" through the week, work out more, eat healthy that day, step up the water and have a healthy snack before you go. You won't get AS hungry.

    moderation in everything.

    including moderation!
  • Schmetterling14
    Schmetterling14 Posts: 35 Member
    I've gotten to the point in my life where I don't care if I am eating differently than the people around me. I have to do what's right for me.

    As for events where someone is cooking, I tell the host I'm trying to watch it, and try to less food than I normally would. Most people are very supportive of weight loss efforts, if you let them know. I also always offer to bring a side dish, salad, etc, and I make sure it's something that's pretty, appealing, and low-cal. That way I'm not the only person at the party eating it.

    Good luck!:smile:
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    I eat before so that way I'm somewhat full and only eat a little of the stuff there. Just be aware of how much you're eating when you're there. Sometimes being with friends you gorge becuase you don't think of how much and what you're eating, if it's healthy or not
  • sarahcuddle
    sarahcuddle Posts: 349 Member
    A difficult one. Someone suggested to me to tell people you are full, not that you are watching your weight. I would say if its a buffet then take a small plate and try to chose the best, healthiest that there is, and don't go back for seconds! Alternatively have filling but low cal soup for lunch so you know you will have lots of calories left to splurge a bit.
  • myownadvice
    myownadvice Posts: 95 Member
    For me it depends on the situation. If it's a party with "grazing" type foods (set up buffet-style) there are many techniques you can use. 1. Eat healthy before you go. If you are satiated, you are less likely to graze your way into a frenzy. 2. Make a small plate and walk away. Standing at the chip/dip container while you carry on a conversation can cause you to eat a lot more than you think. 3. Look for healthy options. Even in the most unhealthy buffet, there is usually a cheese/cracker or veggie/dip area. Choose things you know you can eat without guilt. 4. Engage people in conversation. If you are talking, you aren't eating. LOL.

    For the dinner at someone's house: 1. Have a snack beforehand if you are concerned at what the choices may be. 2. Eat what is offered but watch your portions. 3. If you are handed a plate that's already full, don't feel like you have to eat it all. You can assure your host that the food was delicious without having to "clean your plate". Warning-this doesn't work well with Grandmother's and Mother-in-laws. :laugh:
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    I successfully navigated a BBQ yesterday afternoon. Here was my strategy:

    1. Had a smaller breakfast to save calories.
    2. Drank a protein shake right before leaving the house so that I would feel full as I arrived and could survey the scene with a rationale mind rather than a warped hunger mind.
    3. Assessed the situation right away after arriving and made my mental plan so that I could then relax and not have to chose while distracted by socializing.
    4. Decided to eat the BBQ shrimp rather than the burgers because I know what's in the shrimp and I could eat them "clean" without extras. By announcing that shrimp were one of my favorites, nobody noticed that I was abstaining from burgers.
    5. First, I planted myself near the fruit plate. Yummy cherries!
    6. Then I planted myself near the raw veggie plate so that every time someone else reached for chips, I was able to reach for cauliflower. I munched on the veggies without dip so that I could shovel as much as I wanted without paying attention while talking and laughing.
    7. Two of the food I selected left a "trail" on my plate. The shrimp tails and cherry pits. I didn't throw the trail away as I got more so that I had a "count" at the end of what I had consumed. I pulled out my phone in the corner and logged the quantity in while still at the party. Everyone thought I was just checking my email.
    8. I drank sparkling water with a lime in it so that it looked like I was drinking a cocktail. I enjoy a gin & tonic so I'm sure some friends thought that's what was in my hand. I turned down a beer from some guys I was talking to by saying "too hot for beer today, I'm having a drink". No need to mention that it was a non-alcoholic drink. I kept my glass full so that few people would offer me a drink.

    Next time, I'll try and do it with beers to see if I can stay on track while getting a buzz. I think that will be harder.
  • loseweight3838
    loseweight3838 Posts: 10 Member
    I "un"successfully navigated a BBQ yesterday which is why I started this post :smile:

    the beer thing might be a challenge, I was drinking low-carb beer yesterday and because it's so light and it was very hot it was like drinking water and I went through 6-7 cans fast !
  • MorbidNTT
    MorbidNTT Posts: 43 Member
    Bring your own food.... Being "That Person" or "That Couple" isn't a big deal. People generally learn to respect it, or don't... Of course I guess you could try to hide that you are trying to eat well, like a crazy person.
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    the beer thing might be a challenge, I was drinking low-carb beer yesterday and because it's so light and it was very hot it was like drinking water and I went through 6-7 cans fast !
    That's a good idea. Maybe I should try and bring a six pack of really light beer next time. Nobody thinks you're obsessive when you contribute beer. Otherwise, I'm a sucker for wheat beers or dark beers. Not good choices!

    ... Of course I guess you could try to hide that you are trying to eat well, like a crazy person.
    Yup, that was me. I was definitely being that crazy person! I guess I just didn't want to get into a long explanation - especially since there were some new people there that I didn't know. :blushing: And, I wanted to flirt.

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