Tips for Navigating Social Events and Eating Out

A number of people have asked me for my tips for balancing social events with healthy eating and the occasionally splurge. I have created a list of practices that work for me. Most of these can be applied to a variety of social situations as well as eating out at restaurants. Please let me know if you have any others to add. I can always use help in this department!

• Exercise (on the day of the event/restaurant visit). If I plan to splurge, I will make sure that I have a good workout to help balance-out any extra calories. Plus, exercising always makes me feel good and more confident about myself.

• No skipping meals. I try to eat normally on the day of the event. If I skip meals during the day to save-up calories, I usually end up overeating once I get to the party/restaurant. Eating sensibly throughout the day helps take the edge off my appetite and empowers a bit of restraint. I will eat “light” on the day of the event, but I make sure to eat meals with some substance.
  
  
• Preview the menu. When eating out at a restaurant, I always look at their online menu to get an idea of the type of food served and what I may want to eat there. Depending on the menu, I might choose to eat or forgo a snack beforehand.
  
  
• Be a food snob. When I eat out, I almost always try to order something new and different. If I can make it at home, I usually won’t order it. Similarly at parties, I will only eat things that I really, really love or have never tried before. For instance, I usually won't bother with chips or a store-bought cookie. If I don't love it, I won’t eat it.
  
  
• Have an appetizer (instead of an entrée). Most restaurants serve huge meals. Sometimes I will order an appetizer as my meal, which is usually a much smaller portion. Splitting an entrée with your significant other or a friend is always a way to cut extra calories.
  
  
• Pace yourself. When I arrive at a party/bar, I will usually grab a soda water/sparkling water, and hang out for about 30 minutes. This gives me time to relax and survey the food and drink choices.
  
  
• Alternate alcohol with soda water. We all know that most alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories. I cut calories by alternating soda water (or water) between alcoholic beverages. If you add a lemon or lime to your drink, it looks and feels like you are drinking a cocktail. Adding soda water to white wine is also a way to slim calories (aka "wine spritzer.")
  
  
• Cut yourself off (before you start drinking). Obviously, I like to enjoy a cocktail or two. Before the night begins, I determine how many cocktails I will have that evening and try to stick to that number. Easier said than done, right? All I know is that it’s hard to determine that number once I’ve already had a few drinks!
  
  
• Fill your plate (with lots of veggies and fruit). At parties, I pick a small plate and load it up with fresh fruit and veggies-- then I will chose 2-3 “fun” appetizers to enjoy.
  
  
• Cook something. If I am invited to a party, I will usually offer to bring a low-cal/healthy dish. At least there will be one healthy item at the party from which to choose.
  
  
• Don’t beat yourself up. If I indulge too much at a social event, I try not to feel guilty. I just eat lightly the next day, exercise, and get back on track. Social events are supposed to be enjoyable, and for me, eating and drinking is part of the fun!