"Politically Correct Low-Carb Dining in Social Situations"

Indeed we are living in a day and time when being PC [politically correct] is the 'in' thing to do. We wouldn't want to offend anyone about their viewpoint, yada...yada...yada!

So how do you react when your in a 'social situation' and well meaning folks try to 'push' sugar and other refined carbs on you?

Do you try to educate them?

Do you try to convert them?

Do you use humor, sarcasm or other means to communicate your 'wierd' eating lifestyle?

Do you believe in remaining civil and sociable during your 'encounter' with carb pushers, or do you 'let them have it with both barrels'?

What are your favorite 'lines' to reply to 'carb dealers'?

Which is more important, being Politically Correct at a party, or reaching your health goals?

Ron

Carb Pusher: "Ron, don't you know all that bacon and eggs is going to make your cholesterol high?"

Ron: Man, you really know your foods don't you? That's amazing you said that, because my doctor just told me that if I didn't do something to bring up my cholesterol he was going to have to put me on doughnuts and funnel cakes!

I'm sorry, but I'm choosing to eat healthy.

"Absolutely no offense intended, but I haven't had that stuff for over five years and today is not my day to start". For some reason, noone ever argues or acts offended lol

I avoid a lot of social things these days.

Kinda sad, but when I got big I became a shut-in.

I haven't quite re-established my life yet.

Your health is more important.

I certaintly no longer wish to discuss my diet with non-believers. I have grown tired of the typical no-brainer responses.

Eat the meat! You can't go wrong when you eat the meat!

I don't try to educate or convert....I just tell people I am unable to eat whatever it is they're pushing. If someone says....Oh, you're on one of those low carb diets, I just smile.

I simply say "No, thank you". No explanation needed.

I go for the "Not now, thanks" approach. They don't get to hear the rest of the phrase, which is..."not ever. NEVER!"

My husband convinced me to give up refined carbs in 1989. (He has had refined carbs only very rarely since the early 70's.)

When we suspect that there will be little or nothing we'd want to eat on an occasion, we either eat first or (most often) bring our own food. I don't think anyone has ever responded poorly to "we don't eat sugar."

People may think that's odd, but we don't care; similar eating habits aren't the only basis for friendship.

Even our tiny little kids will walk into a grocery store, point at junk foods, and say, "That's not our kind."

We've had no problems with this. BTW, my husband and children do very well (slim, healthy, energetic) on a lot more (unrefined) carbs than I can handle. Works for them.

I tell them that I'm on a diet and that I can only eat meat and vegetables and drink only water!

Being diabetic gives me the perfect excuse.

I wouldn't recommend it, but sometimes, it does have its advantages.

I usually just say "No Thanks"

If someone persists in pushing carbs at me, I tell them that I have a medical condition that will not allow me to eat "that stuff"--whatever that stuff is at the moment.

This does it most of the time. And I am not lying either.
My medical condition is GOOD HEALTH, and that prevents me from eating all that trash.

I just tell them I'm on low carb, and take the heat. I'm always happy to debate the merits of low carb, even though sometimes I'm wasting my breath.

I'm liking the phrase, "I'm eating like a diabetic for my health" because it makes people think about what they're putting in their mouth which may be leading them down the path to the big "d" word themselves. Hmmmmmm.......

You guys are cool - I have a function I am attending on Saturday (the first since I started lo carbing) I am lucky coz it's a buffet so I can pick and choose - imagine what my plates going to look like with just meat and non starchy veges!!!! Wonder if anyone will notice... The other tip for social situations and to stop people filling up your wine glass all nite is to let them pour the first one and don't drink it. You will have a glass of wine in front of you, people will leave you alone and hardly anyone ever notices your not drinking ; )

Hadn't thought about this, but you know, I never get flack from my friends. They are so proud of me and now consider me their role model as some of them could stand to lose 10-15 #s.

Just was out to dinner last night and no one even commented that I didn't eat chips and salsa or order alcohol. And they thought my talapia looked wonderful.

About the only thing I have to defend is that some of them think I have lost enough. Since I'm about 10#s from my goal, I have to explain to them that I am still 1 size bigger than they are, weigh about 15#s more and am 2 inches shorter. That sets them back.

It starts out being hard - especially at work durng the holidays when you hear "PLEASE try one cookie, I was up all night baking!". But I found just saying no thanks, worked fine. Or if someone came around I would say "thank you for thinking of me but I'll pass". 'Yes, I'm sure".
As I lost the weight no one was surprised at my answer altho they would still ask.
With friends and family it was easy after the first time and they all tried to accomodate at family things.
With strangers at parties - who cares! I always take a bag of nuts and if there isn't anything to eat I pull out my bag and munch away with everyone else. And there's always water to keep your hands occupied in crowds.
Don't let anyone push you into eating something you don't want to be "polite".

My standard line "no thanks, I'm allergic. If I eat carbs I just blow up " Looking at pictures of me 50 lbs ago, It's closer to the truth than people think .

I always politely say no thanks. Then if they insist I explain those foods make me sick so I avoid them at all costs. I'm not lying either. Eating 99% of the stuff pushed on me at get-togethers will make me sick at my stomach and likely set off my IBS with a vengance. My health is more important than their feelings. That sounds crude to some, but it's the way it has to be. You don't see me force feeding them my homemade protein bars... so why should I HAVE to eat their cookies.

You know Jimmy, that is a good point. In fact I already do that because it's true. I live in total terror of becoming diabetic, so I already eat like one. No sugar, no flower, and that's is the least restrictive phase of my eating.

I say who gives a flyin' rip what they think.