How do recently banded people eat at parties. Do you have something to eat before you go so you're not tempted by the wrong foods, or do you take your own snacks along and discreetly munch on that. I need tools to help me prepare for situations that will come up. I don't think that in a room full of people that don't know I'm banded is the best time to try new foods and see if they work. Also, what's your go-to meal at a restaurant? Something that you often stick to because it works for you. I know that I have to work this put for myself, but hope to get some ideas to get me started.

Right now my restaurant go to food is soup. I'm only one month out from surgery. I've also tried eggs with varying results.

When it comes to "party food" I usually start looking for the veggie and fruit trays. The downside is they usually have regular dressings and nothing fat free. I have been known to purchase those small restaurant sizes pouches and take them with me! Restaurants, I can usually depend upon baked chicken or fish, steamed veggies and a small salad. Sometimes the chicken may be a little dry and cause issues, but fish is always a GO for me! It will definitely be trial and error for quite some time, but you will figure out what works for you and stick with it. Good luck and let us know how the party goes!

Dennis

If you are on solids I would look for a high Protein food to eat as a base. If you are supposed to bring something to a party bring something you can eat. For filling the void look for veggies and dip and eat mostly veggies no dip. Admittedly I don't go to the many parties but since I try to live the 90/10 lifestyle; I have the party be the 10%.

For restaurants I try for fajitas, no tortilla. I do have the cheese and salsa, and Guacamole if it's free (not much off a sour cream fan. I don't eat out for dinner very often so I've been known to occationally have a cheeseburger no bun, and baked potato (have'nt had one in a while so probably could'nt eat it all). I do have brunch once a week: egg whites, turkey bacon and one small pancake (my bread for the week.)

At parties I stick to high Protein items like if there is a chesse or meat tray. I also will offer to bring something and make sure it's something I can eat. For example, last night I brought a hummus layer dip and pretzel chips. Delish.

At restaurants, I usually go for a salad with a protein in it. Right now my favorite is a salad with salmon usually with some type of vinaigrette. A local restaurant has a spinach salad with strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese and I add salmon, Love it. I've found that salad is my perfect food. Veggies, sometimes fruit and a protein. Perfection.

I have a variety of approaches depending on how I'm feeling with my weight, where I'm at with training for running events, what's gone on that week, and such.

Sometimes, very occasionally, it truly is OK to just let your hair down and indulge. But I woudlnt choose to do that on a week where I'd already had a few indulgences or a few events on. I wouldnt choose to do it when I"m at the top end of my swing room weight wise and I did it a lot less whilst I was recovering from my tummy tuck and not running regularly!

Sometimes, particularly with family, I just have a drink or two and push food round my plate and then have a small bit of dessert. I hide the fact that I dont eat a lot because when you're thin that alarms people. Apparently all thin people who dont stuff their faces at a party are anorexic.

Most times I stick to ONE glass of wine, avoid all the chips and nibbles before the meal, eat a small meal, have just a bite of dessert and dont touch the cheese platter or after dinner chocolates. I basically stay away from anything not portion controlled on a plate. That just one chip, or one cheese and cracker, that's a spiral to disaster for me!

I also try to do a really big run, like 12, 15kms and burn a good 1000 calories that day.

A word of advice. Be very careful at parties. Party foods look and smell great. I was one of those party goers who spent most of the night as close to the food as possible. I love wings, chips, quacamole, ham rolls, salads, Pasta salads and the list goes on and on. But I know if I tried to eat some of the stuff I used to eat, I'd be sliming and very uncomfortable. I'd head straight for a bathroom and spend 10 minutes spitting up slime till the bad food choice moved through. Be careful, you don't want to embarrass yourself.

tmf

It has been awhile but I remember prior to a party I would eat something. The reason for this is that if you go and get hungry, then it is much easier to make the mistake and just go for something in desperation that might not go down so well, or be something that you really do not want. This way the food is not my priority while I am there!

I know most of us have been in that time and place it is like going to the grocery store when you haven't eaten all day and all you can think about is what you can get and gobble down.

Then if you want to sample some stuff that you have had experience with give that a go.

chicken, hummus, salad, Beans, and then I always liked to take something with me that I could eat.

If you are an hour or so away from home, you might want to put a small cooler in your car and put stuff in it you can eat if necessary on the ride home... It will stop you from doing a 10pm or later stop at a fast food drive thru!! And nobody will be the wiser!!!

I would definitley have something to eat before u go to a party and then stick to small amounts of soft food u know wont get stuck, i would steer clear of raw veg tho, one night isnt going to put back tons of weight and if u arent hungry before u go u can just 'nibble' things and look like u are eating

Eating out i stick to the fish or salads or a soup .. ..

Jachut and 2muchfun, the reason I am the weight I am now is because I couldn't stop at 1 chip or piece of cheese. I'm trying to arm myself with knowledge before I get to the parties and binge on all the things I've missed. Your tips have been great. I like the idea of only eating off a plate. Would make it easier to keep track of how much you've eaten. Also, I've heard that some people can't tolerate spices or pepper early on. Have you guys had any experience with this? Does it cause heartburn or just general discomfort?

Thanks again for your tips. I was a little scared I'd never be able to socialize like a normal person with the band.

I would definitley have something to eat before u go to a party and then stick to small amounts of soft food u know wont get stuck, i would steer clear of raw veg tho, one night isnt going to put back tons of weight and if u arent hungry before u go u can just 'nibble' things and look like u are eating

Eating out i stick to the fish or salads or a soup .. ..

eating before u go out sounds a good idea to me, even for people who are just dieting, controlling your portion sizes is key to losing weight so to not be hungry and facee tempting food would be very helpful .. to me anyways .

Spicey food has never been a problem for me. Booze, yes. One glass of wine or a bottle of beer and I'm a lush.

tmf

Actually wine can really BURN my stomach, horribly. I do need something in my stomach before I have a drink.

Lol that's ok, I don't really ever drink. I think I've had about 3 drinks total this year, so it's no biggie if I give that away. Empty calories anyway. I'm so happy I posted on here. Such helpful advice

TNT, does the fizzy-ness of the beer effect you as well as the alcohol? I've read on other threads that a lot of bandits have trouble with fizzy drinks. What is the consequence of this? Is it just gas or PBs?

Stupid auto correct, I meant tmf, not TNT.