At the mercy of others' meal prep - need suggestions!

Kaybird84
Kaybird84 Posts: 12
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm going to visit family this weekend and am worried that it'll derail my diet like it usually does... other than watch portion sizes does anyone have any ideas of how I can stay on track without going over my daily calories?

Replies

  • heidiberr
    heidiberr Posts: 643 Member
    I use the same technique I use at resturants--Cut everything in half. Also--just being conscious of what's good and asking how things are prepared. Fill up on salads, veggies, fruit--avoid the bread and sweets. You got this :)
  • Xaspar
    Xaspar Posts: 726 Member
    ?? Can you volunteer to cook a meal or two so you have a little control over what you are eating. Dunno if that will work for you or not. I know some people are a little wierd about letting 'guests' cook. But it's worth a shot and they might see you as a gracious guest.
  • daryls
    daryls Posts: 260
    Drink lots of water. It keeps me from over eating!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    Family. They are what got us into this mess!!


    You are going to have to deal with social situations and food for the rest of your life. Even if you don't eat perfectly this weekend, it is not going to derail all your effort beforehand.


    Make the best choices you can, and get in some walks while you are there. Enjoy your family! Next week, it's back to the plan.
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    Some suggestions:
    -try drinking a glass of water or two prior to meals
    -serve yourself and try to fill half your plate with veggies
    -ask your family for what you need to help you
    -have healthy snacks with you so that you aren't ravenous at meals
  • SassyStef
    SassyStef Posts: 413
    Maybe try leaving some of the processed foods out. That seems to help me when I am eating at other mercy. I also pack my own snacks and emergency foods, like protein shakes and fruits.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Have you let them know that you are trying to eat healthier? As someone mentioned on another thread, people don't always know enough about nutrition to actually fix healthy meals, but if you mention it they may in turn ask you what kinds of things you are eating now.

    Or they could sabotage your efforts. Family can be like that. In that case, I suggest you have a few healthy snacks with you, perhaps bring salad ingredients to stock in the fridge and fill up on while having a sample of whatever they are cooking.

    Good luck!
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    Family. They are what got us into this mess!!


    You are going to have to deal with social situations and food for the rest of your life. Even if you don't eat perfectly this weekend, it is not going to derail all your effort beforehand.


    Make the best choices you can, and get in some walks while you are there. Enjoy your family! Next week, it's back to the plan.

    I absolutely agree with this post.
  • Kaybird84
    Kaybird84 Posts: 12
    Thanks everyone - all your suggestions are pretty much echoing ideas I had too which means I must be more savvy about this than I generally give myself credit for, I appreciate the confirmation :) I am going to make a meal while I'm there so I'm controlling at least 1 meal & they do know I'm trying to eat healthier, the trouble is they seem to have been taught the mantra of "if someone walks through your door, assume they are starving and cook everything under the sun for them to make them feel welcome!" While I appreciate the sentiment, it often doesn't do me any favors lol.
  • zundelag
    zundelag Posts: 175 Member
    I've had to deal with this because of food allergies. When I find myself going somewhere I know or suspect won't be much for me to eat, I make sure I eat before I go. You can have something you know will be healthy just before you go. You don't need to fill up, but just enough that you can have smaller portions of the meal with your family and not feel like you are going to starve. Also try to stay away from things you know will really derail you (for some it's pasta or bread, for me it's sometimes chocolate).
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