What to eat at a party??

Luvs_Rage_Phish
Luvs_Rage_Phish Posts: 87 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all - First time poster here and pretty new to MFP. I am going to a party on Saturday and am concerned about eating poorly when I'm there. I know one solution is to bring a healthy snack myself but I also know there will be plenty of crappy options there. Any advice on how to steer clear of them?

Replies

  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    Most parties have a veggie tray out. Hit up the lonely, neglected veggie tray. Cauliflower, carrots, broccili, etc are all very good for you. My being good party rule of thumb is that I don't eat any other foods besides the veggies until the veggie tray (excepting broccoli which I hate) is done. By that time I am usually so full there isn't really room for poorer choices.
  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    Cocaine and Cigarettes
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    Take a shrimp platter and veggies with your own low cal ranch and make your own hummus. Bring your own low cal drink to spike.:drinker:
  • Iceman420
    Iceman420 Posts: 195
    Most parties have a veggie tray out. Hit up the lonely, neglected veggie tray.

    Agreed. Most people ignore the veggie tray, so it's easy to eat a full meal from that.
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    Cocaine and Cigarettes

    While I LOVE this response, I'm afraid the smoking might offend your host. :drinker:

    I always eat a big (healthy) meal before I go to a party. Makes avoiding the junk so much easier if you've got a happy stomach when you arrive.
  • MJannelle
    MJannelle Posts: 20
    Ask the host what's being served and if you can bring anything to help them. That way you'll know what's going to be there as well as bring a health food you can enjoy.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Fill up on booze.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Don't bring a snack just for yourself- it will make you stand out, and then people will ask you questions, which will lead to them giving you diet advice, and workout advice, and make you feel all confuddled.

    Make something or being something pre-made and figure it in to your calorie allowance for the day, and leave some extra calories to try something if it catches your eye. Like, you could bring a veggie tray and make an onion dip out of greek yogurt and onion soup mix. Or, if you're in to cooking you could make some appetizers out of phyllo (sp?) dough with spinach and feta and cranberries. Just pre-plan the calories and you'll be fine. And if you go over your calories, it will be ok.
  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    Also, a workout that day can help offset the party calories
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    What kind of party? Most parties like this that I attend are BBQs and I just see it as an easy way to meet my protein goals for the day.

    On a serious not though...it's a party...it's one day. I think you will find it difficult going through the rest of your life avoiding parties and party foods...I sure would. If it helps, think of it this way...you go to the party and log your food and you're over your calorie goal. Big deal...most likely you will still be at a deficit from your TDEE or maintenance. Even if you ended up at a surplus, little damage can be done in a single day. Unless you're able to consume 3,500 calories above your TDEE in one day, you cannot gain even 1 Lb of fat. For me that would equate to eating roughly 6,000 calories in a single day and I'd be either puking or in a food coma if I did that. Even in my I don't care and eat whatever I want days I never came close to consuming that many calories.

    If it really concerns you then eat lighter the rest of the day and go enjoy the party.

    Party on Wayne!
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    I went to a party that a nutritionist was at once, and she had Pringles, not just the healthy options :drinker:

    Have whatever you like, in moderation, and set your goal as maintenance for the day. As long as you're not doing it every day, it shouldn't do any harm.
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Hi all - First time poster here and pretty new to MFP. I am going to a party on Saturday and am concerned about eating poorly when I'm there. I know one solution is to bring a healthy snack myself but I also know there will be plenty of crappy options there. Any advice on how to steer clear of them?

    Eat a massive pile of vegetables enough so you are full, a sensible serving of lean protein and a small serving of healthy fats before you go, don't eat at the party unless there is something healthy or your one all time favourite food.
  • haileybailey5
    haileybailey5 Posts: 17 Member
    I like to make one small plate of everything I want to try, but I only let myself have the one small plate, no seconds. This makes me savor all of the items I would normally want to try so I dont feel deprived, and then I stick to veggies for the rest of the night! It also helps for me to exercise and eat a healthy meal before I go. I dont know about anyone else but when I am on a roll I usually hate to stop, so I say allow yourself one small plate so you dont feel deprived and then stick to the veggies!
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    Don't bring a snack just for yourself- it will make you stand out, and then people will ask you questions, which will lead to them giving you diet advice, and workout advice, and make you feel all confuddled.

    Make something or being something pre-made and figure it in to your calorie allowance for the day, and leave some extra calories to try something if it catches your eye. Like, you could bring a veggie tray and make an onion dip out of greek yogurt and onion soup mix. Or, if you're in to cooking you could make some appetizers out of phyllo (sp?) dough with spinach and feta and cranberries. Just pre-plan the calories and you'll be fine. And if you go over your calories, it will be ok.

    I can't believe I never thought of that! I love onion dip, but haven't bothered because I sit down and eat the whole bowl. I'm going to have to try that. Thanks Bean!
  • Luvs_Rage_Phish
    Luvs_Rage_Phish Posts: 87 Member
    Thanks everyone! Everyone's input is really helpful!
  • Babeskeez
    Babeskeez Posts: 606 Member

    On a serious not though...it's a party...it's one day. I think you will find it difficult going through the rest of your life avoiding parties and party foods...I sure would. If it helps, think of it this way...you go to the party and log your food and you're over your calorie goal. Big deal...most likely you will still be at a deficit from your TDEE or maintenance. Even if you ended up at a surplus, little damage can be done in a single day. Unless you're able to consume 3,500 calories above your TDEE in one day, you cannot gain even 1 Lb of fat. For me that would equate to eating roughly 6,000 calories in a single day and I'd be either puking or in a food coma if I did that. Even in my I don't care and eat whatever I want days I never came close to consuming that many calories.

    If it really concerns you then eat lighter the rest of the day and go enjoy the party.

    Party on Wayne!

    :laugh: :heart:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Hit your nutrition spot on prior to the party. Show up full. But save some room in your calorie budget for a few drinks and treats.

    How often do you go to parties? If you splurged calorically every time you showed up to a party, but hit your targets spot on every other day of the year, how would this affect your progress?
  • d_Mode
    d_Mode Posts: 880 Member
    Sudafed and Nyquil....
  • SomeoneSomeplace
    SomeoneSomeplace Posts: 1,094 Member
    Cocaine and Cigarettes
    Don't forget the black coffee

    I'm a poor student who lives off of chicken, black beans and weight watchers meals so when the opportunity arises to eat real delicious food that people only make for special occasions I def take advantage of it. I do some extra cardio, eat much smaller meals for the rest of the day (if at all) and eat lighter for the rest of the week

    Daily totals aren't a huge deal, weekly totals are much more important
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    it's a party. take the day to enjoy yourself.
  • jaylas_mom21
    jaylas_mom21 Posts: 311 Member
    You could also do a fruit tray. We made our own fruit dip out of marshmallow cream and fat free cream cheese that was really good!
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    You could also do a fruit tray. We made our own fruit dip out of marshmallow cream and fat free cream cheese that was really good!

    i hope you put a warning sign on that abomination
  • graveflower316
    graveflower316 Posts: 169 Member
    If you're not down to just eat the veggies, I'd say making a plate of foods you're able to do a quick mental count for calories (in case you're one of those really strict trackers). a few chips, a cookie, and some other food will not break your diet. Just keep it all in moderation and remember that the calories add up.
  • pili90
    pili90 Posts: 302 Member
    I guess check what the food is there, you might be surprised! There might be some healthy options, and not so healthy but small options.

    Given that it is a party, try to enjoy yourself, the next day, or earlier that day, you burn more than the usual amount. =)

Categories