It looks like you're new to The Community. If you'd like to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Login Here Signup Here Signup using Facebook
pianissima
Raw Newbie
every time i’ve made a diet change for the better (and now raw), i’ve had issues dining out—at restaurants and ESPECIALLY at people’s homes.
i’ve been an “alernate eater” long enough to know i shouldn’t make TOO big a deal about it, but so many social gatherings happen around food.
how have you have dealt with this? what has worked? how much do you explain? when you dine out do YOU always have to choose the restaurant and check the menu…or do your friends even know?
Comments
I have found that my true friends are very respectful of my diet choices and needs. Potlucks are the best because then you can just bring something that you’re sure you can eat. If you’re dining at someone else’s house, let them know ahead of time and make suggestions of things you can eat that are variations of what they’re already cooking (i.e. can you just put aside some veggies before you cook them for me?). Again, offer to bring a dish. It’s always better to be completely open about it. There’s nothing worse than if the host cooks an elaborate meal and THEN finds out you can’t eat it—they feel horrible and will probably be very annoyed with you.
As for eating out, check the restaurant ahead of time. I tend to choose places with a wide range of items and that seems able to modify things if needed. You can always take your own salad dressing and toppings. I like places with a big mix, because I can order something like a salad made to order with my own dressing and some guacamole, and I’m quite happy. Plus, other people can order what they want, and we’re all happy.
As for bars and the whole drinking scene, no one cares if you just order water. Or juice. Or whatever. Really. I like mine with lime. :)
Social events are about being together with people. It’s not about the food. It may take time for friends to get used to your new diet, but when they realize that you actually have stuff to eat and that stuff isn’t that weird, then they will relax and hopefully gain an appreciation for everyone’s individual needs.
you’re right, it’s not about the food. i guess i’m just overly sentitive about other people’s feelings around food and sharing because i used to feel that way too.
the “put some veggies aside for me” thing is a good idea.
As for how much I tell people…I answer questions when I asked. When going to someone else’s party, I’ve often just told them I’ll bring something for myself so I don’t put anyone out. I typically bring enough to share in case someone wants to try it. I certainly don’t stress about it, or it comes across and then others might stress about it. Frankly, I love bringing my own food because then I know it’ll be really good. I’ve never had anyone offended that I did that…actually they’re usually quite relieved :)
I’m pretty confident that when going to restaurants I’ll be able to find something (even if it’s ordering 2 salads). I always travel with a little Raw olive oil, some Himalayan crystal salt, a smidge of cayenne pepper and maybe a little Italian Seasoning. Then, I’ll get some lemon wedges from the restaurant and it’s an easy dressing. Sometimes I smuggle in some flax crackers, too :)
Cheers! Kristen Suzanne
=) bringing your own salad dressing seems to be a popular theme here. i like.
I like the idea of bringing your own food and asking the people having the party what they like. I even took a bunch of my chick-n-bisquit crackers over and I actually used my moms swiss cheese to put on some of them for hourdeurves, and put avo and tomato on the others and they were a big hit. I think fruit can be a hit if done right because people don’t get around to making fruit salad. I used lemon and honey mixed together and used on apples with walnuts and raisins. It was great! But I am working on getting better at this too. I love the order two salads idea! I am always disappointed by the amount of lettuce I get in salads at restaurants and you have to basically write it out for the person don’t put anything else on this! They try to sneak all kinds of stuff on there.
writeeternity—yeah, fruit salad is a great idea. actually i took fruit kebabs to a party a few weeks ago and everyone LOVED the colors. i poked a grape, cherry tomato, half a fig, slice of cucumer, mint, and some other i can’t remember with a skewer. great finger party food.
what is a good raw olive oil by the way that’s not too expensive?