EATING OUT

At a Friend's House

Eating out as the guest of a friend is probably the most difficult as you have no control over what type of food you are going to eat and, to a certain extent, the quantity.

If you know her well, tell her in advance about your diet and how important it is to you. Ask her if she would mind discreetly serving you small portions and not to be offended if you don't have the dessert. A good friend will understand and support you.

Your own mindset is difficult here, because it's easy to convince yourself that it would be rude to decline this or that, when in fact it wouldn't be. It's just a way of justifying to yourself about eating what you want.

• As always with eating out, drink a large glass of water before going and don't miss the midmorning or mid afternoon snack preceding the meal. They both take the edge off your appetite and make eating too much less tempting.

• Offer to drive so you won't be tempted to drink alcohol. It is highly calorific and as I have mentioned before, once you have had a glass or two, a bit of "devil may care" creeps in and bang goes your weight loss diet.

• Again, don't forget that fruit juices and drinks like Coca-Cola also have a lot of sugar in them. If your friend does not have any diet drinks, then I'm afraid it's that boring water again! But remember it's not "now or never". The sooner you reach your goal weight the sooner you can have some wine etc. again.

• "Nibbles" can be very tempting, especially if you seem to be waiting ages for your meal (but not so much so if, as suggested earlier, you had your water and your snack before going out). Make sure you are not sitting or standing in reach of any nibbles. Pass them away from you, otherwise it's easy to nibble away, almost subconsciously, while chatting to somebody.

• Once at the table, make sure the bread basket is away from you. If you have some bread, perhaps because there was soup to start, then cut back on any potatoes, rice etc. at the next course. If your friend doesn't know about your diet or perhaps if you don't know your hostess very well, don't be afraid to ask for a small helping. If you are helping yourself to vegetables, try and take them from the top, as if there has been any butter put on them it will have melted and mainly be lower down.

• In almost all instances, it is not rude to refuse pudding. Making a nice complement to your friend about the food already eaten and how the desert looks delicious, but you are absolutely full, should be quite acceptable.

• Do not think cheese is the better option to having pudding. In many cases it will be more damaging to your diet. Again, keep remembering it's not "now or never". When you have reached your desired weight, you will be able to have the occasional "sticky" dessert or some cheese, but not right now.

Finally think how righteous you will feel when you get into bed that night, knowing you stayed in control and stuck with it. It would certainly deserve a reward (non edible of course!). Perhaps a small pot plant that you can easily see, or a luxurious bubble-bath. Whatever it is, it will remind you of your achievements

So, to recap briefly …..

1) if possible, tell your hostess in advance about discreet support.
2) get your mindset right.
3) Drink a large glass of water before going out.
4) Have the mid-morning/mid-afternoon snack preceding the meal.
5) Offer to drive - no alcohol.
6) Don't be within reach of any pre-meal nibbles.
7) Ask for small helpings.
8) If you have bread, cut back on potato/rice etc.
9) It's not rude to refuse pudding - no cheese.
10) ENJOY IT.

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