I can do really well on my low carb eating plan and stick really well to eating mostly no carb foods when I have complete control over the meals and my surroundings. I have a lot of trouble though when I go to parties and functions. Especially family gatherings. I eat mostly low carb and no carb foods including Low Carb Bread but they are hard to find at a party.

I don’t know about your family but mine is not known for eating foods low in carbohydrates. Low carb meals are not usually on the menu. They eat a lot of high carb foods and the feeling is that a get together is all about eating. The cook shows their love by fixing tasty, high calorie, high carb food and the other show their love for the cook by eating a lot more than they should.

Planning For Low Carb Meals

I have found two options for combating this. One is to plan to eat nothing at all. Carry a water bottle and take a sip of 100% water whenever you start feeling like the potato salad or Aunt Emma’s strawberry pie are going to do you in. Be ready for everyone asking why you aren’t eating. You will need to have a good reason. The best reason would be the truth, “ I am trying to eat more healthy.” Unfortunately, this is not good enough for some people who think that food and eating are synonymous with love.

You can explain that you really have to watch what you eat because of a medical condition. This is absolutely true because if you are obese and have a blood sugar problem you will face the consequences in the near future. Saying that you can’t eat because you are on a restrictive diet is being honest. Most people will accept this.

Another way, which is much harder for me, is to eat but only eat the foods that you are sure are low in carbs or zero carbs. I can start off this way but it is really hard for me to pass up the high carbohydrate stuff once I get started. If you are going to try this method them plan ahead for what you will face. Tell yourself before had what foods you will eat and which ones you will pass up no matter what.

Before you go to the get together sit down and picture what you will see. Picture the table and the foods you know will be there. In your mind stop in front of each food and think about why you don’t want that particular food. Maybe it has pasta, or maybe it is baked beans with brown sugar. Whatever the food plan ahead to have a reason you don’t want to eat it. This will make it much easier to pass on the food when you get to the party or picnic.

Planning ahead for success is absolutely essential if you are going to be successful with your low carb and no carb eating plan. A lot of people won’t understand, or refuse to understand, what you are doing but you know the importance of it and that is really what matters when you have chose a low carb meal plan to follow.

For additional insight, check out this low carbohydrate approach summary.