most pretty How to stick to the diet you need and keep the life you want By Dr. Amber Hayden, DO 9/27/2017 Champagne for celebrating a family wedding. Peanut butter cookie binges with friends to get over rough patches. Bread and pasta at an amazing restaurant when traveling. For me, eating is a huge part of my social life! But, when you suffer from a food sensitivity or allergy (or have made the choice to avoid certain foods) not being able to eat everything can be pretty isolating and depressing. I love getting out and if you do too whether it be a little or a lot here s my advice for not letting food restrictions ruin a good time. For those of us who can eat everything First, some thoughts for those of you who don t have food sensitivities or restrictions. Remember, most women on restricted diets don t have any choice when it comes to what they can t eat they get sick when they eat dairy, gluten, nuts or other foods. Even so, they may have to deal with questions or suggestions like don t you like what I made you? or it s okay to cheat a little just this once. Other women make food choices for different reasons. You may be trying to lose weight or be like my friend Vickie, a self-described cheegan. (Meaning she s vegan, but will eat cheese when trapped in a work event or social situation with very few options). I realize eating cheese may not sound like a huge hardship to many of us, but it s her choice. In all of these cases, putting a friend on the spot or making her defend her choices probably doesn t make for a fun evening out for her, does it? For those of us who can t eat everything: 5 ways to boost your social life no matter what you eat With some creativity and planning, I think you can get out there and enjoy being social while eating what works for you: 1. Show them how it s done. Being invited to someone else s home when you re avoiding certain foods can be stressful. Offering to bring a delicious dish ensures that you won t leave hungry. It s also an opportunity for your friends to see it s not gluten that makes cookies taste so good! There s no harm in calling your host ahead of time to relieve some of that pre-party food anxiety. Also, keep a diet-friendly snack with you just in case. Not being able to eat in a social situation could lead to poor diet choices and a just plain miserable time. You don t want to spend the whole party focusing on what you can t eat! 2. Put it out there. Don t be afraid to tell friends and family that you are trying to make some changes in your diet. Though some won t get it completely, you ll probably find that many want to support you in your efforts. You may find that someone else and probably several people in your circle are doing something similar. I recommend you find a buddy for success. It s been proven that people who make a major life change, like a new eating plan, with a partner have significantly higher success rates. 3. Throw the party. Find a few crazy good recipes and have a food tasting with some good friends. You can cook together or make the food on your own and have friends sample your creations. If you want, you can still include some foods with ingredients you don t eat. Sticking to foods from your own kitchen is the best way to keep yourself on track, so bringing your friends to your kitchen will ensure your success! 4. Start a new restaurant club. I ve been part of an international dinner club, which is great because Indian, Thai, Japanese and Ethiopian restaurants often have more options for those who are gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free. You can also call the restaurant ahead of time to check out the food options. You don t have to feel obligated to try everything. 5. Find your community. There are some great blogs and websites dedicated to talking about eating with food restrictions or choices. You can find advice, recipes and people who have been there. It s good to know you are not alone. Some places to start: food-allergy.org , glutenfreeandmore.com , seaganeating.com . Finally, a lot of women struggle to eat healthy. If this sounds familiar, take a look at my article Why is it so hard to eat healthy? I start by taking a good look at what healthy really means and what you can do to feel better, not worse, about yourself with your food choices. Taking a step forward is what s important. Whether that step is big or small, it s moving you in the right direction. Also, I encourage women to remember to never be afraid to try something new, and step outside of your comfort zone. But, like trying on a new pair of shoes, make sure it s the right fit. It s true! Your diet plan should be something that fits you and your lifestyle. are expecting
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