Christmas Party advise

Tis the season for Christmas parties.  This worries me!!  While I eat correctly most every day, I dont like to place temptation in front of myself and test my will power.   There are work related parties on the 1st and 20th (at restaurants, off the menu) and a friends on the 15th.  I still want to be social, but am afraid of giving in and making poor choices.  Any experiences or advise for dealing with holiday parties will be appreciated

What is the saying (I can resist anything except for temptation) lol

My best advice is to plan ahead and be prepared for all possibilities. You can usually find restaurant menus online. Make a plan and stick with it. Try not to make any impulsive choices. If you are going to someone's house you can bring along something to share that you know you can eat, just in case. Most people serve at least something that is WLS friendly and in those times I do the best I can with what I have. If you feel comfortable sharing about you surgery with the hostess you can let her know about any special needs, like for instance I inform them that I don't eat sugar or gluten but I don't expect them to go to too much trouble and I offer to bring my own food if appropriate.

What else you can do is eat something at home before going to the party..and then you can honestly say you can't eat much cause you aren't that hungry.

As Tazz mentioned...see if you can find the menu online ahead and plan ahead as well.

Liz

 

I was somewhere recently that had veggie lazanna for supper.  I ate the middle out between the pasta.  Felt pretty silly but I knew I really didn't want that pasta.  Luckily I ate before and after so I was fine. 

Find something on the menu that you really want but that is friendly.  then if you are afraid it will be way too much, get them to put half in a box before they bring it to the table.  Most places may look at you funny but they will do it. 

My other suggestion is not to drink.  It certainly lets down my defenses and I make worse choices.  I also do better if I don't graze but eat what I am going to have and then be done.  I can fit much more in if I do it over time, bad choice for me.

Thanks ladies, I will look at the menus ahead of time and find some fish or seafood. I am pretty sure where we are going, but I will double check.  Seafood usually agrees with me.  I feel a little guilty ordering a meal when I know i can eat such a small amount of it, but I can take it home to my teen boys and it will disappear!   I will also have a yogurt before I leave the house.  I feel better now I have a plan!  As for the friends party, I will eat before we leave home.

For your friends' party, you may want to slide a protein bar in your purse too - just in case.  

I had this happen to me, 2 years out.  I went to a party in Traverse and usually there is something there for me to eat.  EVERYTHING was pasta or sugar.. I panicked since I hadn't eaten, I also had already had 2 glasses of wine, so protein based food is essential then.  I learned my lesson and from then on, I eat a bit beforehand or take a bar with me.  

As far as restaurants go, I find chili is a good go-to, as well as shrimp ****tail.  You can even order a salad and just pick at it.  I usually get like a chicken salad, and eat the chicken and goodies first, then if I still have room start on the greens. 

You're smart planning and thinking ahead.