Who takes their meals with them? Social implications?

I've never done anything like taking my own food with me unless it's a potluck...

I'd work on eating meals that satisfied me longer than 2 hours.
My husband and I are both prepping for comps this year and sticking to our macros is important. Unless we have a "free" meal, we usually just take our own food, or try to plan get togethers that don't revolve around food. We've gone through the comp prep process a few times, and lots of people don't get it - we've lost some friends because of it, which is sad. Other friends don't care and are happy to have us over, and love that they don't need to worry about feeding us!

I've been to restaurants and not eaten, I've been to restaurants where I've contacted them earlier to know I can get something that fits my goals, I can say no to food and don't mind parties where everyone else is eating.... I pretty much don't care what other people think about my eating habits!

I usually bring my own food, but that is because I am a celiac. Very few people know how to cook safely for me (like not using butter that has been touched by bread crumbs or not using sugar that may have had a flour coated measuring cup dipped in it, or just the fact that soy and worchestershire sauces have gluten). I bring food into lower end restaurants but buy drinks. If I go to someone's house, I always bring something to share that is safe. When I saty with family, I bring a lot of food and take over half of the cooking.

Places I do go, like my family's, that I know are safe, I will eat within my macros and calorie counts. I may leave something off my plate, like noodles or bread, but I'll try most things.

Due to medical reasons I bring my food with me to gatherings as well. But I know how being out you can sometimes get stuck where you need something quick to eat. I stash a protein bar in my purse at all times just in case. Its not really the best meal but saves me from rash decisions when I am hangry lol!

I'd take a packed lunch to work - as much for economic as dietary reasons - but never for a social occasion. I will nearly always be able to find something that I like, and if I'm being disciplined at home, the occasional calorific guesstimate won't hurt me.

If I'm dieting, I have preferences for certain restaurants whose menus have choices that won't blow a crater in my goals, but I won't be too hair-shirted.

But tonight is hogmanay, and we are spending it with a friend who doesn't eat vegetables (which is slightly incomprehensible to me at the best of times). He does cook some vegetables for us, but doesn't really know how to cook them and I find the results soggy and dispiriting.

This was one factor in me deciding to host rather than visit him, as I can control the menu - making sure there is plenty that he likes, but also something that feels more balanced and enjoyable to me.

I am still on my festive break from calorie counting.

Usually the awkwardness is in your own mind. Once you have told your family or friends what you are doing, it doesn't matter so much.

When I don't want to spend my calories on a meal, let's say at IHOP but a friend invites me - I will come along and eat Soylent, a meal alternative.

People who don't approve will choose to no longer invite me on meal outings, I find most people really don't care - they are more concerned that I feel comfortable with them eating in front of me. Once they figure out I'm not uncomfortable, and want to be social, the stigma of not eating or eating a meal alternative/replacement goes away.

ALWAYS!!

I went to a potluck at my church and I couldn't calculate any of the stuff so I just took veggies and salade. Ppl were mentioning how light my plate was which made me uncomfortable. Then a friend of mine was staring at my plate and then staring at me cus my weight loss is obvious. Idk I'm always uncomfortable in those situations. Sometimes is just put food on the plate is have no intentions of eating so it's not awkward. I offer it to my toddler instead.