Eating @ other people's houses...??

raisingbabyk
raisingbabyk Posts: 442 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Any tips for going to other people's house for dinner? Going to a birthday dinner @ my grandparents house tonight. Do you just guess the best you can as far as tracking since your never sure how much is in the meal? (especially oils, butters or what ever they might use to cook?)

Replies

  • crazynay96
    crazynay96 Posts: 99
    Especially considering its family, can't you just ask? Let them know that you are trying very hard to work on getting to your ideal weight and you are tracking literally everything that you intake. I'm sure they'll appreciate that. Tell them you aren't trying to be picky or anything (and if you want you can ask after wards so they don't feel like they have to make you something special) but I'd ask... thats just me.
  • TranceGirl
    TranceGirl Posts: 121 Member
    I find this to be the most difficult time to stay healthy. Specially because there are always drinks and desserts when you eat out at anyone's house. I am still trying to come up with a way of doing this while enjoying myself but not hating myself before going to bed and one thing I wanna try is to put everything on one plate and really look at it before eating it as opposed to grazing and filling up your plate with different things every time you clean your plate.
    EX: I usually take a plate full of salad, then when I finish that I go for the entree, and when that's done the dessert comes out and... crap... I'm probably already at around 1000 cals if you count the wine and bread I've been grazing on before dinner. I am going to try putting the salad and entree on the same plate, limit to one glass of wine, skip the bread, and skip the dessert if possible. If you can't do that, have a tiny, ity bity sliver.

    I hope that helps!
  • Mommawarrior
    Mommawarrior Posts: 897 Member
    If you just want to enjoy yourself and enjoy your family eat the healthy stuff, leave the unhealthy alone and guess when you get home to log. Remember a party is not an excuse for over indulging. Portions don't have to be larger when you are at a party. Enjoy yourself and be wise!
  • tarapin
    tarapin Posts: 169
    When I eat with my family I'll do the following:

    I'll ask how things were made so I can estimate as best as I can

    I still weigh and measure as much as possible (I don't carry a scale around but at this point I have a good idea) plus everyone has measuring cups handy.

    OR I'll add extra exercise that day so I can enjoy myself without feeling guilty.

    Hope that helps.....good luck!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Home cooked meals of any kind are typically healthier than restaurant meals, which are also usually HUGE portions, so I always chose a similar meal from a big chain restaurant and used those calories as a "worst case scenario."
  • Mom2rh
    Mom2rh Posts: 612 Member
    Usually when I'm invited somewhere I ask what I can bring. Then I'll get an idea of what they are serving. You can bring a salad or some kind of veggie tray. Usually at family dinners we are serving our own plate. So I'd fill it two thirds with salad/veggies and a bit of the protein and a smidge of everything else.

    Most important thing, though, is enjoy the company of the people you are with and don't preach about your food.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    when eating out, i think the best thing is to just not stress about it. Dont question your host about fat content or calories or stuff, but just watch your portions, and enjoy their company.
  • patiencez2
    patiencez2 Posts: 160 Member
    I Just use portion control, if they have alot of different food I eat a 1/2 cup of something instead of the cup I might have been allowed. MY family is big eaters and tell me I can't count calories at there house. we get togeather a few times a month. So I just watch what I put on my plate.They have not got to the place I am at so I don't argue with them. But so far it works for me. when I come home I am still way under calories.
  • Forensic
    Forensic Posts: 468 Member
    I guesstimate and call it good. Stressing about it will only make out worse.
  • raisingbabyk
    raisingbabyk Posts: 442 Member
    Thanks for all your tips everyone! I feel much better about tonight =)
  • stevwil41
    stevwil41 Posts: 608 Member
    Watch your portions and eat slowly. You may also want to eat a healthy snack before hand so you're not quite as hungry. Mainly, don't stress. Make the best choices you can and enjoy the time together. You can't do it daily but every once in a while is fine. Oh, and I also do a little extra exercise on days I know I have some sort of get together going on.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories