Surviving the Holidays Part 6 – Holiday Parties and Politely Declining Dishes

Holiday Parties & Politely Declining Foods

Hi it’s Steph Wagner, Bariatric Dietitian on foodcoach.me
Wow…today is December 10th…it doesn’t seem like very long ago I posted a video about it being early November and here we are moving into the middle of December!
This is the time of the holiday season that holiday parties start really gearing up. Maybe it’s for school, church, work, the neighborhood…or all the above, but chances are your schedule is really full right about now.
So how do you enjoy holidays parties without putting on weight? It seems like an oxymoron…like it just doesn’t go together.
Let me share with you my tips to having a great time without feeling terrible after a party.
#1) Ask yourself if this is the kind of party you can bring a dish to share. If it IS…offer to the hostess that you’d love to bring a dish BUT be very specific about what you’d like to bring. You may offer 3 options such as “I’d love to bring something to the party, would you prefer a cheese tray, meatballs or deviled eggs?” Every host loves some help and those three dishes are great options. BUT by being specific you had control over what you might be assigned to bring. If you just said “I’d like to bring something” you might be in charge of bringing the puppy chow. Hello danger. When you bring a dish to a party..you know there will be something you can have.
#2) IF this party is not the kind of party that you can bring something, eat a little something before you go. Maybe a few cheese sticks or low-fat cottage cheese. This will help you not to be ravenous when you walk into the party and your eye catches the buffet. You’ll feel more in control with protein on your stomach.
#3) When you do approach the buffet line, don’t pick up a plate until you’ve looked through at the entire table. Nothing is worse than filling your plate and then realizing there was something even better at the end of the table. This will also help you stay in control of your plate and know what exactly you’ll be enjoying.
#4) Focus on whatever lean protein options you can find. Shrimp. Turkey. Ham. Deviled eggs. Deli meat tray. Fill up on that good protein. Best case scenario is that half your plate is protein based.
#5) Focus on veggies next. Salad, raw veggies, pickle spears, green beans…whatever they may have especially if it isn’t cream based.
Enjoy your plate and also strategically place yourself away from any dessert tables. Save your special occasion dessert for Christmas and not the Christmas party. It will be temping in the moment, but if you can keep yourself distracted you will leave that party feeling like a champ. Because you are.
#6) If there are drinks at the party, you may consider bringing your own. Use Crystal light as a mixer to avoid sugar or chose dry red wines for lower sugar options. Stay hydrated and be smart.
One last comment I want to make for today’s surviving the holiday video is about politely denying foods when offered. You may experience people asking why aren’t eating something or try to push something on you that you know you shouldn’t be eating. If someone asks you a question like “aren’t you eating dessert??” My biggest suggestion is to NOT say “I’m dieting.” This can lead to an awkward conversation where either the person feels judged or uncomfortable because they are eating the dessert OR it leads to comments “oh come on just a small bite.” Instead be kind but direct by saying no thank you BUT adding on a compliment to the end. Instead say “no thank you I’m full but it all looks so delicious” or “maybe in a little bit, they did a great job!” Try to skirt the conversation onto something about the decoration or the party or the host. This will set you up a little better to dodge an awkward conversation.
Once Happy Holidays from my family to yours and may you enjoy this season and all the blessings is has to offer.

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