Attending Parties and Social Gatherings While Eating Clean
With the holidays approaching, many people feel a darkness looming over them. Not because of depression, the weather, or even the constant holiday stress, but simply because of the number of parties they are invited to and how all of them will be stocked full of sugary, carby, fatty, delicious food. When trying to eat clean, this can seem like an impossible choice - Do I attend every party and risk going down the slippery slope of eating one… then two… then 20 bites of those treats I know I shouldn’t indulge in? Or do I just stay away and not get to connect with my friends and family in a fun way?
Have no fear! There ARE easy steps you can take to have the best of both worlds. Attend every party you want while still eating clean by trying these tips:
Eat Before You Leave
Don’t worry about offending your host. If it isn’t a dinner party, they won’t even notice that you aren’t stacking a plate full of food. Pick something lean and high protein to snack on before you leave, that way you’ll be a little lighter on your toes for the evening without feeling too hungry. Remember, eating a large heavy meal filled with carbs will make you feel sluggish, which would defeat the purpose of a party. And if dairy disagrees with you, you could end up spending the night FARTING!!
Bring Your Own Food
Don’t trust that there will be something healthy to eat? Offer to bring a salad or crudites and dip platter so that you know you will have at least one healthy option. Trust me, others will appreciate it as well.
Pick the Healthiest Food They Have
Don’t have time to do tips 1 & 2? Then just do the best you can with what is presented to you. Find the healthiest option and pay attention to your intake. Most gatherings today hopefully have one relatively healthy option. If you’re really worried about whether something is completely safe to eat, then it might just be best to eat a whole dinner beforehand and avoid the temptation of going down a slippery slope.
Drink More Water
We all know that drinking water can help curb hunger and keep you hydrated but how often do we actually take advantage of this knowledge? Don’t just sip on some water, try to drink multiple glasses of it and see how full you feel. It will help with the temptation to eat something unhealthy just because you are hungry.
Be Social
What better way to avoid food temptation than to walk around and socialize? Meet new people, engage, really listen and share. It is likely that you will be so distracted that you will barely think about food and you will leave the party with new friends, refreshed, and not feeling guilty about what foods you indulged in. Isn’t that the point of a party anyway? Although food can be a great gathering point as well!
Most importantly, be mindful and plan, and always remember to have FUN! It’s NOT about the food!!
If you are seeking some strategies around eating and living healthier, please set up a time to chat with me! I can help ease your stress and get you going on a good path :)