Entertaining non-MFP-lifestyle relatives??

westcoastSW
westcoastSW Posts: 320 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Next weekend, I am hosting my dad's side of the family at our home. About 20 people. A few are weight/health-conscious, many are not. Several are quite obese. Food is part of every culture, and our family does BIG meals. At holiday dinners and such, I can pick and choose well enough to eat what I want and need.

But now I'm hosting and I am torn about how to proceed. Do I cook the quantities and types of food that I eat and I think are best? This would include lots of fruits and veggies, some meats cooked in a healthy way, some grains but not overdoing it -- and everything in moderate amounts. Or do I cook the quantities and types of food that my family is used to? Massive amounts of fried appetizers, cream sauces galore, and cheese on *everything*.

How do others of you address hosting family gatherings with folks who have not yet found their way to MFP?
Thank you in advance :)

Replies

  • couny79
    couny79 Posts: 7 Member
    if it was me I would cook the same types of foods but in a healthy way. You can do low fat cheese/cream sauces, cook the meats in a healthy manner rather than frying etc etc. You could also introduce your family to some new delicious dishes!
    Don't say the food is "diet food", just do it your way, a healthier way, after all you're the host.

    Good luck, it's always stressful hosting!
  • skinnyhopes
    skinnyhopes Posts: 402 Member
    I would do half and half. Make some high- cal unhealthy stuff and have lots of healthy dishes and desserts available too.
  • Angel1066
    Angel1066 Posts: 816 Member
    Do it how you want to after all thy are coming to your home.
  • vanillasugar
    vanillasugar Posts: 246 Member
    I would choose to mix it up a little. I would have a few "indulgences", perhaps family favorites, be it a main dish or perhaps dessert, but I would have plenty of healthier options also, fruit and veggie trays for yourself and other more health-conscious family members. Above all, try not to stress it. Enjoy yourself and your family get-together :happy:
  • SKP1986
    SKP1986 Posts: 392 Member
    There's always a middle ground. Make some old favorites that everyone will enjoy and some other, healthier options. I agree with doing some of the regular stuff in a healthier way as well. Who knows... maybe they will end up LOVING the MFP lifestyle type food.
  • anu_6986
    anu_6986 Posts: 702 Member
    I would do half and half. Make some high- cal unhealthy stuff and have lots of healthy dishes and desserts available too.

    +1

    I would try to have both
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Yes, is it a major task to do some of each? If you have dips like salsa and guacamole, have both chips AND vegetables to dip into it?

    I guess quantities will be a factor - people will really annoyed if they feel they didnt get enough to eat.
  • dddttt
    dddttt Posts: 39 Member
    I'd make the stuff I eat, in the quantities that your relatives are used to. :) (If there are any leftovers, you can just eat them some other day. ;)) Or, as the first replier wrote, just do some of those high-cal dishes in a lower-cal version. :)
  • panteraCFH
    panteraCFH Posts: 3
    I would choose to mix it up a little. I would have a few "indulgences", perhaps family favorites, be it a main dish or perhaps dessert, but I would have plenty of healthier options also, fruit and veggie trays for yourself and other more health-conscious family members. Above all, try not to stress it. Enjoy yourself and your family get-together :happy:
    congrats on losing 80 pounds!
  • vanillasugar
    vanillasugar Posts: 246 Member
    I would choose to mix it up a little. I would have a few "indulgences", perhaps family favorites, be it a main dish or perhaps dessert, but I would have plenty of healthier options also, fruit and veggie trays for yourself and other more health-conscious family members. Above all, try not to stress it. Enjoy yourself and your family get-together :happy:
    congrats on losing 80 pounds!


    Thank you! I absolutely could not have done it without MFP and its fantabulous community and my mom who is doing this with me :smile:
  • westcoastSW
    westcoastSW Posts: 320 Member
    Thanks, all, for the suggestions! I think I will do my best to have healthy alternatives to some things, without looking like I'm discriminating those who eat higher calorie options. I LOVE the idea about veggie sticks and chips! Similarly, maybe a whole-grain pasta with both cream sauce and tomato sauce options; or a taco bar with lean meat and optional cheese, guac, sour cream.

    Because they are all used to, and expect, large quantities of food, having healthy alternatives in addition to the old favorites won't look too conspicuous. Thanks again!! :happy:
  • jujubean1992
    jujubean1992 Posts: 462 Member
    my grandma makes these great fruit and veggie "pizzas" she lays crescent rolls out flat on a cookie sheet (in one solid sheet) and bakes them then tops with either yogurt and fresh fruit {she usually uses strawberries blue berries and mandarin oranges} or low fat cream cheese (usually garden veg flavor) and fresh veggies {cauliflower broccoli, carrots, and cucumber} . she cuts the fruit and veggies into little pieces about the size of a blue berry.

    everyone LOVES it. you could try that. my grandpa doesn't even realize she uses yogurt instead of fruit dip and doesnt know she uses low fat.
  • i_love_vinegar
    i_love_vinegar Posts: 2,092 Member
    I would make a bunch of everything. =) Make spear ribs, steaks, hotdogs/sausages, hamburgers etc. Make some salmon or shrimp up, fruit salad, watermelon slices, mashed potatoes/yams, salad, buy or make a pie and a cheesecake and some icecream...
    if you know there is something each person really likes, get what that person likes (like my ex loves steaks and cranberry sauce, so I often thought of that). People can always take doggie bags with them :D

    I hope this helps!!!

    ps: I think since it is a family get-together, it is best to focus on everyone, not just the health-conscious. It is only one day, so make sure everyone has something they will love =)
  • Vhovell
    Vhovell Posts: 286
    I would probably do everything in a more healthier way than they are useful but keep their quantities - that way they won't be snacking and eating all your food for the rest of the day :o)

    I personally wouldn't tell them i'd done it any different and see if they notice!!
  • katherines2230
    katherines2230 Posts: 276 Member
    I'd say half and half as well if its not too much trouble.
  • jellybaby84
    jellybaby84 Posts: 583 Member
    I would cook what they are used to, expect and want. It's normal to cater to your guests, not the other way around. Of course include some healthy dishes for you and any other family members who want them though.

    It seems a bit patronising to say that they 'have not found their way to MFP' - almost as if it's the healthy, normal option to be here. It isn't. Most people are here because they are overweight or unhappy with the way they look. In my opinion it's far better to NOT need or want MFP!
  • kfitz10103
    kfitz10103 Posts: 354
    I had a memorial day party and a July 4th party. I made healthy alternatives, but still had the chips and dip in case people wanted them. We all know how hard it is to go to someone's house and not know what is healthy to eat. You can't really ask for an ingredient list for everything so you know what you should eat. I made stuff that was healthy and had some unhealthy options for those who I knew would complain. turkey dogs, veggies and roasted potatoes.
  • westcoastSW
    westcoastSW Posts: 320 Member
    It seems a bit patronising to say that they 'have not found their way to MFP' - almost as if it's the healthy, normal option to be here. It isn't. Most people are here because they are overweight or unhappy with the way they look. In my opinion it's far better to NOT need or want MFP!
    I apologize that it sounded patronizing. For the sake of their health, there are several people in my family who need to lose weight. There, I said it. Some people do need to lose weight. I just meant that they are not making a conscious effort (to my knowledge) to do so, and I do not want to seem as though I'm insinuating that with my served food. It's a touchy subject for everyone, clearly.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    When I host, I get to pick the menu. Tough noogies if someone doesn't like it. That's why I prefer to host. :-)
  • jessradtke
    jessradtke Posts: 418 Member
    Next weekend, I am hosting my dad's side of the family at our home. About 20 people. A few are weight/health-conscious, many are not. Several are quite obese. Food is part of every culture, and our family does BIG meals. At holiday dinners and such, I can pick and choose well enough to eat what I want and need.

    But now I'm hosting and I am torn about how to proceed. Do I cook the quantities and types of food that I eat and I think are best? This would include lots of fruits and veggies, some meats cooked in a healthy way, some grains but not overdoing it -- and everything in moderate amounts. Or do I cook the quantities and types of food that my family is used to? Massive amounts of fried appetizers, cream sauces galore, and cheese on *everything*.

    How do others of you address hosting family gatherings with folks who have not yet found their way to MFP?
    Thank you in advance :)

    We usually do family gatherings potluck style and I just make several healthier dishes that my family likes. Almost everyone ends up eating some of our food too because in a big potluck it all just looks like food, not "healthy" or "unhealthy". Basically, if it looks good, they eat it! If I had to do all the prep myself I'd probably do pretty much the same thing...have several of the traditional dishes that other people like plus plenty of healthier options. If possible, I'd put as many of the sauces, cheeses, dips, etc. on the side so that people who want to pile it on can, but those who don't want to don't have to.
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