What to tell your hostess?

[rox4jc]

Do you tell your dinner hostess that you are on a restricted diet? My hubby accepted a dinner invite last night, and didn't mention my program. Would it have been rude anyway? "By the way, my wife will not eat any of your food unless it meets her strict standards"
Here's what we (they) had:
Barbeque Chicken
Corn on the cob
Mashed potatoes
Peas
Mac and cheese
Biscuits
Cucumbers and tomatoes

My kids were in carb heaven. They never get that stuff at our house anymore!
I had the chicken with the cukes and tomatoes. I strategically surrounded my plate with the bowl of potatoes and a pile of biscuits to block my hostesses view of my plate.
So no one was injured, and I went over my carbs a bit with the sauce, but it could have been worse!
So what's the best way to deal with dinner parties?

[2big4mysize]

Re: What to tell your hostess?

discuss the menu with the hosts and offer to bring a dish you know everybody can eat that is low carb like veggies or salad. Even before I low carbed I did this cause I have a food allergy. saying my wife will not eat it unless is rude but asking and offerring isn't!

remember y'all were invited because of love and friendship not the food and the hosts would feel horrible if they knew that fed you foods that adversely effected your health. it wwould be rude to allow the hosts to do the work of fixing and shopping for the food and then telling them you will not eat it unless it is cooked this way but I've never had any host refuse an offer of free food.

We had one member who catered her own reception meal from her cooler in her car because there was nothing on the menu she could eat and she wanted to share in the love and freindship of the occaison without wrecking her Atkins.

And woo hooo for you not eating those camaflage bowls.

[dreamof145]

Re: What to tell your hostess?

I always take something 'legal' to eat and just present it as a 'thank you for inviting me' offering. I usually don't say anything about my WOE to new people (most of my friends know that I eat only low-carb). I pick out what I can't eat and leave the rest. If anyone mentions my food selections to me, I laugh and say, "Yeah, I'm a picky eater." Its never created any problems for me.

Another thing you could do is phone ahead and ask what the menu is so you can bring something. If it is absolutely not acceptable...you can eat before you go. As 2BIG said, it isn't the food that makes the evening fun...its the people who you spend it with.

[dotsamantha]

Re: What to tell your hostess?

I've fibbed and said I was diabetic, so no added sugar. I've also used gluten intolerance, so no wheat. I am lactose sensitive, so that's a truth, lol. Depending on the host i just say, "hey, I'm doing the whole healthy thing right now, so don't take offense if I only pick at a few things."

[Tired of Chub]

Re: What to tell your hostess?

I echo 2Bigs mention of offering to bring a dish. My friends that I occasionally stay a weekend with ALL know that Im doing atkins so its never a problem. One is super accomidating as another friend of hers has done Atkins for a number of years so she has a decent idea of what I will eat. It helps that shes SUPER picky LOL.

[not2late]

Re: What to tell your hostess?

I tell them upfront: I'm on strict diet and can't eat certain foods. They are usually understanding. Also offering to bring a dish doesn't hurt either. Typically, I bring a salad (vegetable or fruit). On occasion I bring a warm veggie dish.