Eating right under peer pressure

I have the hardest time turning down food and alcohol in a fun atmosphere. Everyone wants you to try their food, and everyone wants you to have a drink, and so on. I'm not the type to ramble about my diet or make it a point of interest so I usually end up just eating things I shouldn't! I am not sure how to graciously decline without starting one of those "oh dear you're not on a diet are you??" Conversations.

Replies

  • kacobens
    kacobens Posts: 8 Member
    edited July 2016
    Hi! Not sure how helpful this is, but I usually try to limit my number of drinks and avoid anything but hard liquor (gets you drunker with fewer calories
  • kacobens
    kacobens Posts: 8 Member
    Okay, apparently it cuts you off...
    I usually just push some of those calories around for my other meals that day.
  • kacobens
    kacobens Posts: 8 Member
    Same goes for food. Went out this weekend and ended up at steak and shake at around 4am. I just used that as my breakfast and moved around the rest of the day's calories
  • kacobens
    kacobens Posts: 8 Member
    Hope that helps, at least a little!
  • atitagain1958
    atitagain1958 Posts: 160 Member
    Can you try saying you've already had some or you'll have some in a little while? Another trick is to take one bite of something if it's a new recipe your friend made. Then sidetrack them about telling them how good it was and how you need to get the recipe. Vodka and soda is one of the lowest in calories. Have a tall with one shot of vodka, the rest soda and 2 slices of lemon or lime...96 calories. Another is a wine spritzer at 75 calories. Try to stay away from the diet soda drinks, like rum and Diet Coke, although low in calories, the diet sodas tend to make you crave sugar. Hope this helps!
  • JDixon852019
    JDixon852019 Posts: 312 Member
    Say you ate already and pre budget your booze.
  • Dove0804
    Dove0804 Posts: 213 Member
    edited July 2016
    I make it a point to eat in front of people and at fun events- socialization is important and I also want to avoid the "you're starving yourself" comments. If I know beforehand a dinner or party or social event is coming up, I'll kind of balance my calories to accommodate it. I'll usually decrease my calories for a couple days before/after or eat very little beforehand on the day of the event.

    Then, when I'm at the social event, I try what I like but am very careful about portion sizes, and try to log what I can (usually during a private moment, like when I'm going to the bathroom :P ). Even though the log is going to be inaccurate, I try to keep some kind of account of what I'm actually eating- a little bit here and there adds up quickly.

    One tip someone gave me once is to try and focus on eating the things that are more unique, or that you wouldn't make yourself or can't buy anywhere. Cupcakes ROCK, but you can easily make them from a box mix or buy them from any grocery store. Aunt Sally's awesome original secret-recipe casserole you're not going to get another chance to eat for a while. I think that really helped me over the 4th of July weekend with various parties I went to.
  • tapwaters
    tapwaters Posts: 428 Member
    "No thanks."
  • caroldavison332
    caroldavison332 Posts: 864 Member
    why NOT use peer pressure to help you diet? These people are supposed to be your friends, aren't they? I recently went out and asked for low carb drink. I got a skinny cosmo. I should have asked for a low carb appetizer. The artichoke as prepared was 34 grams of carb.

    Another instance: I was invited to go kayaking but can't swim. I suggested a walk instead. The person didn't say "oh you're one of those non swimmers, aren't you?'
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    tapwaters wrote: »
    "No thanks."

    This. The more you say the more attention and push-back you receive. Friends, family, co-workers, or whomever, no one NEEDS an explanation as to what you are and aren't eating and drinking. No need to bring up diet or counting calories. The less you say, the more firm you are the better your success. Never give in to peer pressure. It's not worth it. Smile, be polite, and change the subject.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,186 Member
    I have the hardest time turning down food and alcohol in a fun atmosphere. Everyone wants you to try their food, and everyone wants you to have a drink, and so on. I'm not the type to ramble about my diet or make it a point of interest so I usually end up just eating things I shouldn't! I am not sure how to graciously decline without starting one of those "oh dear you're not on a diet are you??" Conversations.

    Sorry to be blunt but peer pressure should be left behind once we graduate from high school.

    "No thank you" without further explanation should be sufficient, and if they keep pushing just walk away or be very clear but polite with your message. An evil look also helps... >:)
  • klkateri
    klkateri Posts: 432 Member
    I've been on this WoE so long that everyone was floored at the 4th when I grabbed a beer and split a slice of cake with my hubby. Its hard but the longer you eat a certain way, the less people tend to push it I find. It takes everyone a while to adjust. When I'm with people I don't see often I just say "O thank you but can't. Turns out I'm Gluten Intolerant". Sure, it's a lie but no one pushes when its a health thing but say you are watching what you eat/on a diet and then the "well you can cheat once in a while, can't you" crap starts. I find a little fib saves a lot of time and no one gets their feelings hurt either.
  • futureicon
    futureicon Posts: 348 Member
    I usually just wear a Loose fitting coat with lots of pockets. I take a bite and spit it into a pocket when no one is looking. Works well for most foods, though you may attract the attention of the family pets..
  • violetfluid
    violetfluid Posts: 4 Member
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    I have the hardest time turning down food and alcohol in a fun atmosphere. Everyone wants you to try their food, and everyone wants you to have a drink, and so on. I'm not the type to ramble about my diet or make it a point of interest so I usually end up just eating things I shouldn't! I am not sure how to graciously decline without starting one of those "oh dear you're not on a diet are you??" Conversations.

    Sorry to be blunt but peer pressure should be left behind once we graduate from high school.

    "No thank you" without further explanation should be sufficient, and if they keep pushing just walk away or be very clear but polite with your message. An evil look also helps... >:)

    I am already standoffish enough as a person that I attract ridicule from nothing ( resting *kitten* face ). I understand that peer pressure can't actually hurt me, but in social situations I already struggle to appear pleasant. I was hoping to find ways of refusing WITHOUT making waves, not ways of refusing that make me look like I'm hiding something.... Lol. Having a smooth time is ultimately more important to me than my diet, I'd just like to have both.
  • violetfluid
    violetfluid Posts: 4 Member
    tapwaters wrote: »
    "No thanks."
    I wouldn't be posting for help if that had worked, haha. Thank you though.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    tapwaters wrote: »
    "No thanks."
    I wouldn't be posting for help if that had worked, haha. Thank you though.

    It WILL work if you are consistent and firm with it. Until then, what responses are you receiving when you say, "No thank you"? It's just a social situation that takes some practice and learning so if you give us more details perhaps we can be of more help.