If you're hosting...

[Soon2BFitMom]

Keriann's post about her luncheon made me think, what does everyone on here do if they are hosting a gathering? I am hosting our book club this month and had planned on serving the regular spread (fruit,muffins,bagels) but am now wondering if it would be ok to serve only low carb stuff.....

Also, would any of you serve something with splenda in it without letting everyone know? I don't let my kids eat splenda (or really any artificial additive. we have always stuck to whole, mainly organic foods for them - wish I had done the same for myself) so I would worry about making a low carb treat w/splenda. I guess I could make a sign to go in front of it, but that seems tacky.

Last month we hosted our playgroup, and after everyone left I ate a tiny bite of a pastry someone brought before throwing it out. So not having treats in the house really does help me!

[neutronnorman]

Re: If you're hosting...

I would serve the usual foods and what's left-over give away to the memebers of your club. And Erin, you vale lost quite a bit of weight. If you've gone this far, I pretty sure you can muster up the will power to stay away from the pastries.

Well, that's my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions.....

[imagood1]

Re: If you're hosting...

You can serve whatever you want -- but make sure you have rolled up meats with and without cream cheese, how about some thin chicken slices with a dip (legal of course), vegetable tray (broccoli, cauliflower, celery, radishes, pepper strips) so there is something for you. You can, as Norman said, give away the non-legal items as people leave or let your children have them after everyone is gone...the other option is to make sure you don't buy too much so there won't be any leftover.

As far as being afraid of being tacky do what makes you feel best if you have anything with Splenda in it. I'm sure you are not the only person who will be there watching what they eat and appreciating something on the table they can eat also.

Good luck.

[not2late]

Re: If you're hosting...

Keriann's post about her luncheon made me think, what does everyone on here do if they are hosting a gathering? I am hosting our book club this month and had planned on serving the regular spread (fruit,muffins,bagels) but am now wondering if it would be ok to serve only low carb stuff.....

Also, would any of you serve something with splenda in it without letting everyone know? I don't let my kids eat splenda (or really any artificial additive. we have always stuck to whole, mainly organic foods for them - wish I had done the same for myself) so I would worry about making a low carb treat w/splenda. I guess I could make a sign to go in front of it, but that seems tacky.

Last month we hosted our playgroup, and after everyone left I ate a tiny bite of a pastry someone brought before throwing it out. So not having treats in the house really does help me!

When I have a dinner party or something similar, I prepare food that everyone can eat plus dishes that are suitable for my guests. For example, I'll have a mixed veggie salad, roast chicken, green beans, and potatoes. For dessert, it could be a selection of cheeses and a fruit salad.

For the leftovers, I pack them away and give them to my guests---little meals ready to go.

[Soon2BFitMom]

Re: If you're hosting...

I think I'll do a mixture of both, no splenda. Carol, I really like the idea of chicken slices and dip, hadn't thought of that one.

Norman, Yes, totally have the will power to resist. Until I don't. I went cheat free for almost 4 months until i just lost it. Not an excuse, but sometimes it's not there. Trying to learn how to deal with that....

I know this was a kinda trivial post, sorry. For whatever reason I hadn't even thought of altering my menus for this type of stuff.

[pagliaccia]

Re: If you're hosting...

I agree with everything posted above. I would do a mix and send the non-Atkins stuff home with everyone. I will say, though, that I've impressed the heck out of some of my family with clever Atkins recipes (thanks Linda!), so don't be afraid to flex your cooking muscles. Who knows, you might inspire a friend or two to join you!

[not2late]

Re: If you're hosting...

It's not trivial at all! We're so used to serving "chips and dip" or something super-carby/"convenient" to guests. That we forget things like devilled eggs are usually a hit because people like them and no one seems to make them anymore.

[Elizellen]

Re: If you're hosting...

Too true, Megs

My 'Atkins legal' platters always get eaten well before the plates of sandwiches when I go to a 'bring a plate' function

[chinadoll]

Re: If you're hosting...

I do things like a big greek salad and a quiche (totally legal but I skip the crust or make it crustless) and offer some goodies for others that I then send home with someone at the end, but I make sure I have a nice variety for myself as well. I also call the hostess of book group when it is elsewhere to let her know I am on a special plan and ask if she would mind if I brought something along I am allowed to have. That way I am never caught out without something legal.

[MrsChesterDogg]

Re: If you're hosting...

A veggie tray with some legal dip, a meat and cheese tray and lots of legal drinks. I would think that everyone would appreciate a spread like that.