Social Gatherings and Staying on Your Diet
Day 27 of my weight loss journal, for Bikini prep 2023
Here’s the question of the day!
It seems like every weekend there’s a social event with lots of food. I don’t to make a big deal about the food, and I go in with the resolve to not eat, but I often eat anyway just to fit in. What should I do to stay on my diet in social situations?
Sandra
When we are in a social situation, eating due to peer pressure, fear of missing out, or mimicking what your friends are eating can make you feel out of control!
This is different challenge than eating out at a restaurant. During a work meeting or a church social, everyone is eating and enjoying their food while they stand around and chat! Your friend is holding a drink and cookie, and, suddenly, you are craving a drink and a cookie.
It’s not going to be possible to eat mindfully in every situation, especially one like this. Two things have helped me navigate these types of situations. First, is to imagine the event ahead of time and decide how to respond to each hurdle. It’s easier for me to decide to eat the healthy options, instead of trying to eat mindfully. If I know there is going to be a long work meeting, with lots of snacks, I can choose the baby carrots instead of the Swedish Fish. Sometimes, it’s about joining in and eating more than which foods you are choosing.
If the event has food that I know I’m going to want to taste or try because it is special, I simply delay the first bite. When I start eating at the beginning of the event, it’s difficult to stop. So, simply waiting as long as possible to start can cut the quantity of food I am mindlessly eating in half! I also remind myself that–even in a situation like these–you can chew your food slowly, pay attention to how the food tastes and feels, even while listening in on a conversation!
Tell me! How do you get through social parties and stay on track?
Day 27: 1357 calories, 120 g protein, 106 g carbs, 50 g fat
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭: Peanut butter chocolate protein oats! This turned out great. I used 1/2 cup egg whites with 1/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup water. After it was cooked, I added 1 tablespoon peanut butter powder and just 5 chocolate chips. Because I was trying to hit a protein goal though, I added another 1/2 cup of egg whites cooked on the side with 1/2 ounce cheese.
𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡: A sandwich just sounded perfect for lunch, so I had the two slices of 45 calorie Sara Lee bread, provolone cheese, 12 slices of deli turkey (to get enough protein), and since I still hadn’t been shopping, I opened a can of asparagas that I bought a while back. And let me tell you, it was the NASTIEST thing I’ve ever put on my plate. I legit thought I would throw up. It was slimy, mushy, and smelled bad. The only canned vegetables I really like are green beans.
𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤: Simple snack of half an orange and 1 ounce of almonds.
𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫: Delicious! Chicken, 1/2 cup cooked white rice, zucchini and mushrooms!
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