The Do's and Don'ts of Dieting at Family Parties

Don't Be a Dieting Downer

Remember when you were young and your great-aunt used to hide the cookies and chocolate at all of the family gatherings? "They'll rot your teeth," she'd say. One thing was for sure, between the kids' table and being denied a dessert, family parties were no fun.

You thought when you got older, all of your problems would be solved. You'd sit at the adult table ‑- and you could finally eat anything you wanted.

Too bad not much has changed. Thanks to your perpetual wish to lose 10-plus pounds, you still can't have dessert, and you wish you could go back to the kids' table.

Well, if you can't enjoy family quality time, then no one else should either ‑- you're going to see to that. You're going to make sure everyone knows just how little you're eating, and you're going to remind your relatives exactly how much fat and how many calories are in each slice of grandma's chocolate cake.

If this sounds like you, it's time to face the facts: You've become no fun. You are a dieting downer. Just because you're on a diet, there's no reason to make everyone else miserable too.

Don't go down in family history as the cake spoiler. Stay on your diet, and stay happy with our do's and don'ts for survival at family gatherings, dinner parties and any other social functions.

Dieting Don'ts
Dieting Do's

Don't:

Give all the details about your latest diet of choice from the appetizers through the dessert
Ask your mother, cousin or grandma if she put on a few pounds since last year
Put on a big production about not eating any of the legendary casserole because it's not on your diet
Gawk at your grandfather when he goes for a second helping of gravy
Say "I told you so" when the family bemoans their overstuffed stomachs at the end of the meal
Stand up and give a nutrition lecture as if it's a toast
Bring your own low-calorie meal and tell each guest how many more calories are in their dinner than yours
Break out the Weight Watchers point guidebook and label the foods on the buffet

Do:

Call the host or hostess ahead of time and explain your situation. Ask if she would mind if you brought a diet-friendly dessert or low-calorie appetizer for the guests
Offer to host the get-together at your home so that you can control the menu (however do not skimp on the good stuff for everyone else)
Explain that you're on a diet if anyone asks, but don't give a soliloquy about the details
Try to plan an event that is not centered on food
Allow yourself a taste of your favorite treat; it will help you not feel bitter about your diet
Keep in mind the satisfaction you'll feel when everyone else is trying to work off those extra pounds and you're fitting nicely into your new clothes (but do not speak these thoughts aloud)
Suggest a post-dinner activity, such as dancing or a walk, so you can cheat a little without as much guilt
Drink plenty of water ‑- it will make you feel full and keep your hands busy
Avoid commenting on others' weight; it will only come back to you
Remember, the get-together is mainly about family and friends, not food