Eating Well When Those Around you Don’t

Hi Healthy Eaters

Just because you have decided to take your health in hand, by avoiding sugar, grains and processed foods doesn’t mean your friends, family and co-workers have. There will be no shortage of events where lashings of pastries or mountains of pasta are laid out before you with deserts containing enough sugar to raise your glucose just by walking past the table.

The bigger the event the easiest it is. No one knows what you are eating anyway, you can pick and choose and if you suspect the choices will not be good then eat before you go.

Restaurants are generally easy as you can eat well and no one would even notice. Certain cuisines need a bit of thought such as Chinese, just avoid the sweet sauces and have just a little rice. Indian is much the same, just share a nan bread and have a dry meal such as chicken tikka.

The social barbecue is easy; there is usually plenty of meat and salad. A carefully crafted meal by someone you don’t want to offend is the most difficult. Just bite the bullet and eat the main meal and then feign fullness and avoid or only have a taste of dessert.

Your choice is to just eat or to become the party bore by explaining the virtues of no sugar or grains and never get invited back again.

I find I go with the flow when I visit my mum, I suspect she thinks I’m mad, after all who would willingly give up cakes and cookies.

At home you may be the only one eating well. You can serve pasta or rice but don’t eat it for yourself. If you have small children then you control the pantry and refrigerator. You are not doing them any favours feeding them foods which will harm them.

As for teenagers; best of luck! Although some will be body conscious and you will have much more leverage over them.

I mentioned in a previous post that road houses are a food waste land; you need your snacks on hand or risk being seduced by the mountains of rubbish masquerading as food.

Socialising around sports or interests hold their own challenges as there is usually lots of alcohol involved. You can have a drink but a lot of drinks will bring you undone. Alcohol loves salty snacks which can lead to the late night kebab with something described as lamb but probably never wandered in a green pasture.

Know why you are eating well, remind yourself frequently and enjoy those foods which support you.

To get started on your journey you can join our Free 30 day Energy and wellness programme, just click here.

Wishing you Vibrant Health

Ian & Dr Susan Newton