I have a number of strategies that I follow as I prepare for a party that we are hosting or attending. These ideas, along with a few from another nutritionist/trainer that I follow online, are listed here for your reference through this "party season"!
If you are hosting a party, it's easy to manage the foods that are offered. Often times the people coming to our parties may not know how passionate I am about nutrition and health, so my goal for is usually to choose foods that would make everyone happy, without having to resort to too many unhealthy "party" foods.
Try something like this:
Corn chips (organic, non GMO) and home-made guacamole
Rice crackers and goat cheese
Raw cheese platter
Veggies and Greek yogurt dip
Fruit salad
BUT what if the party you'll be attending is not quite a Jen-Niemann bash? What do you do then?
Here are 3 great strategies for surviving your next social event or party. These are methods I use all the time so I can look forward to the event or gathering regardless of the food being served. Just ask my sweet family - I do get a little "weird" about food, so they appreciate it when I take something I can fall back on!
1. Offer to bring something to the party. I very rarely go to anyone's home without bringing something homemade. The host or hostess is usually very grateful and at least I know, if nothing else, I can eat the item I brought. Any of the items listed above are good options to take, or one Niemann favorite are cocktail meatballs (made with 93% lean beef), chicken skewers or smoked salmon. You may want to give your hostess/host a few options and see which one appeals to him or her the most. (Tip: Guacamole and fresh veggies is almost always a huge hit everywhere I go!)
2. Eat before the party. Do not arrive starving! If you really don't think the party will offer anything that is an acceptable option for you, eat beforehand so that you are not partying hungry. If someone asks why you're not eating, you can use any of the following responses and none of them would be lying: "I had a really late lunch and I'm not quite hungry yet. Everything does look great and I'll be sure to try something out," OR "I'm definitely going to grab something here in a sec. Thanks for asking." If you have stomach issues, you can always say, "I get pretty sick if I eat any wheat or dairy so I try and stay away from it. I definitely would not want to get sick at this great party."
3. Focus on something else besides the food. If you have kids with you that's an easy distraction! But hopefully you will have at least one or two parties that you get to attend without them. Focus on catching up with friends you haven't seen in a long time, engage in conversations you don't have the opportunity to have otherwise, and maybe even get your "groove on" on the dance floor (c'mon, what's a party without dancing?). Keep your focus on the true goal of the party and that's to enjoy yourself with family and friends, not to focus on what food is being served or what you should or shouldn't be eating.
And most importantly, I want you to NOT beat yourself up if the party just doesn't go the way you wanted. Maybe you had one too many cocktails, maybe the brownies were just too good to say no to, or maybe you just ended up eating every single thing that came in your direction. I have a free day every week (which sometimes turns into 2 days, which is fine!), so just make it your free day. Bottom line, leave that party behind you and move on. Today is another day and another opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle. One party will not make or break your weight loss goals or your health. Every day is a new day and every party is a new party.
Need more ideas for party food? Call me! I am happy to help.
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