Long-term TEDers – Social Situations?

[Anonymous]

Any creative ideas for handling social situations? Especially with the holidays coming up… I’m on strict TED (turkey, white & sweet potatoes, squash, pears, olive oil, sea salt, pepper). My office does a Christmas lunch each year where we go to someone’s house and have a cattered, buffet-style lunch. The “party” basically consists of a small amount of mingling, going through the buffet line, sitting down to eat, and that’s it. It’s not a cocktail party or other type event where you could just avoid the food. I’m tempted to skip it this year because the only options I really see are: 1) eat lunch early that day, go to party and don’t eat, face wave of questions about why I’m not eating OR 2) take my TED lunch and ask co-worker to microwave it, then face wave of questions as to why I’m eating what I’m eating.

I’ve told some good friends at work about TED, but certainly not all 40 of my coworkers and I really don’t want to be the center of attention about my diet.

Thought others might be facing similar dillemas and wondering if there are some creative solutions I’m missing? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I had several big social situations to deal with while on strict TED – a number of meals after my dad’s funeral, when at a friend’s wedding, and a few others. It can be awkward if at least some of your immediate companions are not aware of your situation. But, when you think about it, many people are on restricted diets for various reasons (losing weight, diabetes, allergies, etc.).

I found that a simple explanation sometimes that was easily accepted was that “I am on a rather restricted diet right now, so instead of taking any chances with the meal tonight, I just brought one of my favorite dinners to heat up here.” They don’t need to know that the turkey, potatoes and squash are your entire menu 24/7.

I also found ways to keep busy at some social things so that it wasn’t so obvious that I wasn’t eating. At my friend’s wedding, I ended up taking lots of pictures for her of the others at the reception.

Hang in there! You can do it and your little one will continue benefitting as a result.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Laura for directing me to this post – sorry I’m so late to it (dh was out of town earlier in the week & it was craziness around here);

Ok, anyway… when I was early on TED I had many obligations to attend. Fortunately many of mine were out to eat so I would just do a plain baked potato & plain lettuce salad. If at someone’s house I usually just eat before & don’t eat there. I will say though that most people in my life know our situation.

If you don’t feel like divulging all the details then I think Dianne’s suggestions sound great!!!

Sorry I’m not much more help.

Hang in there…

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